Support to Pakistan costs Turkey, Azerbaijan as Indians shift out weddings, corporate events

India's wealthy families and non-resident Indians are increasingly steering clear of Turkey and Azerbaijan for weddings and corporate events, amid rising tensions tied to those countries' perceived support for Pakistan.

Planners say several high-profile weddings and corporate events have already been rescheduled or relocated, dealing a blow to the region's lucrative destination events business. Event managers cite growing discomfort among clients.

Prachi Tandon, co-founder and director of Copper Events, said that many clients are now looking at alternatives such as the UAE and Rajasthan. "Bahrain has become the most important destination for us now," she said, adding that supportive policies from local governments, such as visa fee waivers for couples, are also making a big difference.

The chill in sentiment is not limited to weddings. Mihir Ranpara, co-founder of GoBananas, shared that an event his firm was managing for CREDAI, originally planned for Baku, Azerbaijan in September, has now been moved to Singapore. "We were about to sign hotel contracts, but given Azerbaijan’s stand on the India-Pakistan issue, we decided to switch," he said. "As planners, we're not promoting Turkey and Azerbaijan anymore."

Turkey has emerged as a top-tier destination for Indian weddings over the last few years, especially cities like Antalya and Bodrum, known for their scenic coastlines and grand hospitality. But the current political undertone has dampened demand.

"Destination management companies in Turkey are disappointed," said Vijay Arora, director of Touchwood Group, which handles large-scale events. "We had a strong network there, but most clients are now looking at Bahrain, Doha, and other Middle Eastern destinations."

Industry veterans say the impact is being felt across the board, from event venues and hotels to makeup artists, caterers, and transportation providers in Turkey, who had grown dependent on Indian wedding business.

Swati Pandya, founder of Global Luxe Weddings, expressed disappointment over the silence of Turkey's event services industry. "Indian weddings brought huge revenues to Turkey—from salons and entertainers to taxis and F&B—but none of them stood up for India. At this point, exploring options within India just makes more sense."