Domestic travellers redirect their travel plans to northeastern states

India-Pakistan tensions and IPL match suspensions are prompting travellers to cancel trips to border states and shift focus to the northeast, say industry executives

Indian travellers are redirecting their plans from northern states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Rajasthan towards the northeastern region amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Additionally, the suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL) for one week is expected to further impact domestic tourism in the country, as per travel industry executives. 

 

“Due to India-Pakistan tensions and several airports being shut, people are cancelling their bookings to these (northern states closer to the border) places,” Rajiv Mehra, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators and general secretary, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality told Business Standard. “However, the new trend is that all these people who are cancelling their bookings to these regions are trying to book trips to Darjeeling, Gangtok, Guwahati, and other parts in the northeast regions.”

 

Bookings for southern states in India are continuing normally, Mehra added. On outbound travel, he said there was no major impact since all flights to popular international destinations were operating normally.

 

“All flights (international routes) are operating to the Far East, Australia, Japan, and Europe and no airlines have cancelled flights to these regions, but I expect a decline of about 15-20 per cent in outbound traffic,” Mehra said. 

 

Rikant Pittie, chief executive officer and co-founder of EaseMyTrip stated the company is focused on providing timely guidance and support to travellers in impacted cities, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot, with increased concerns around safety and uncertainty. 

 

“Several airlines have reduced or suspended operations, leading to a sharp rise in cancellations and rescheduling across travel services. We remain committed to prioritising the safety of our customers, fully supporting government directives, and ensuring clear, transparent communication,” he said

 

Meanwhile, Rajat Sawhney, senior vice president, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, said the overall travel sentiment is low, and while IPL matches can be rescheduled, right now people are prioritising safety. 

 

Travel agencies have also paused all new bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. 

 

“We’ve made the decision to pause all new bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. This is not a comment on the people, but a stance against policies that conflict with India’s national interest,” said Hari Ganapathy, cofounder, Pickyourtrail.

 

Similarly, accommodation brand Go Homestays also came out with a similar stance earlier on May 8, ending its partnership with Turkish Airlines. It further stated that it won’t offer accommodations to Turkish citizens in Goa. 

 

“We have decided to pause all new travel offerings to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey,” said Karan Agarwal, director, Cox and Kings. “This decision is driven by our commitment to uphold principles that matter deeply to us and the people of our country. We also advise Indian travellers to exercise discretion and avoid any non-essential travel to these destinations until there is greater clarity and alignment in the broader geopolitical environment.”

 

Nishant Pittie, founder and chairman, EaseMyTrip, said the company strongly recommends its customers visit Azerbaijan and Turkey “only if absolutely necessary.”

 

In the recent past, travel to central Asia, particularly Turkey and Azerbaijan shot up, owing to their proximity to India.

 

The suspension of the IPL has had an immediate impact on short-term travel. 

 

Amit Damani, co-founder of StayVista, said that in order to ensure flexibility and support for all its guests, the company has offered those with check-ins within the next 14 days an option to reschedule for any dates and location for the next one year. 

 

“The uncertainty over the past few days has been quite startling, and it’s difficult to predict what may unfold next,” said Vinesh Gupta, general manager, The Den Hotel, Bengaluru. “The cancellation of IPL matches, especially in key metro cities, has had an immediate impact on short-term travel and hotel occupancy. As a luxury hotel, we typically see a significant uptick in business during large-scale national events like the IPL. These events drive travel not only from teams and media but also from fans and corporates who host associated gatherings, all of which contribute to high room occupancy and food and beverage revenues. With these events currently paused, we’re seeing a noticeable dip in event-led bookings and revenue streams,” he added.

 

“We are confident that major events like the IPL will return stronger once the situation improves. Our commitment to world-class hospitality remains steadfast, and we look forward to welcoming guests when it is safe to do so,” K B Kachru, president, Hotel Association of India and chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group said on BCCI’s decision to suspend IPL for one week.