In the wake of a diplomatic storm sparked by India’s “Operation Sindoor” on 7 May 2025, Indian destination weddings are getting cancelled, leaving Turkey’s tourism industry fray. The boycott, ignited by Turkey’s public support for Pakistan alongside Azerbaijan, has unleashed a wave of cancellations that threatens to unravel years of growth in Turkey’s wedding tourism sector. “Indian wedding travellers contribute over $140 million annually to Turkey’s tourism economy, and the impact of this shift is seismic,” Nikhil Mahajan, Senior Representative at Kestone Utsav, an Indian wedding planning firm, told FE.
What do the numbers say?
Turkey’s allure for Indian couples was undeniable. From historic palaces in Istanbul to boutique hotels along the Bodrum coast, the country offered a blend of exotic charm and affordability. In 2024, Turkey hosted 50 Indian weddings, each averaging $3 million in expenditure, with some reaching as high as $8 million, according to media reports. These weren’t mere ceremonies but multiday spectacles, often accommodating 500 guests who stayed for three nights, indulging in premium services from airport transfers to celebrity entertainers. Industry data reveals that a standard Indian wedding package for 100 guests started at €350,000 ($385,000), a figure that dwarfs the cost of local Turkish weddings, which range from $1,600 to $5,400.
In 2024, Indian weddings alone generated approximately $150 million in revenue, a figure poised to repeat in 2025 before the boycott derailed plans. Indian destination weddings had contributed significantly to Turkey’s tourism economy, growing nearly 300% from 13 weddings in 2018 to 50 in 2024.
But the boycott, which began in mid-May 2025, has already triggered 2,000 tourist cancellations in its opening days, with 30 of the 50 planned Indian weddings for 2025, primarily scheduled between May and December, now at risk. At an average cost of $3 million per wedding, there is a potential $90 million loss from wedding cancellations alone.
Beyond the numbers
The financial toll is only part of the story. Indian weddings were more than revenue streams; they were economic engines employing hundreds of local vendors per event, from florists to photographers. They brought high visibility to Turkey as a luxury destination, often attracting repeat visits from impressed guests. “These weddings featured celebrities and business elites, offering marketing value that money can’t buy,” Mahajan said. Their absence risks dimming Turkey’s shine in the global luxury tourism market, particularly during shoulder seasons when Indian weddings filled a critical gap.
The boycott’s timing couldn’t be worse, striking during the peak wedding season. With 60% of Indian weddings occurring between May and December, the cancellations threaten to gut a premium segment that accounted for 3% of Turkey’s $3 billion wedding tourism revenue in 2024. Turkey’s tourism revenue came up to $61.1 billion in 2024, according to reports.
A shift in sentiment
As Turkey’s venues risk sitting silent, Indian families are pivoting. Mahajan observes a clear trend: “At UTSAV, we’re witnessing a change in sentiment, with families increasingly exploring alternative international locations like Italy and the UAE. Simultaneously, there’s a strong resurgence in demand for Indian destinations such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, and Kerala, places that offer grandeur, accessibility, and cultural resonance.” These destinations, he adds, align with evolving priorities: safety, convenience, and meaningful cultural experiences.
The shift reflects more than geopolitics; it’s a recalibration of what Indian couples value. Turkey’s visual splendour and cultural richness remain, but for now, sentiment and practicality are steering couples elsewhere. “Indian families are prioritising locations that balance sentiment, safety, and overall guest experience,” Mahajan explained.. “This is reshaping the destination wedding landscape.”