Highlighting that luxury hospitality is no longer confined to metropolitan hubs and is expanding to emerging cities, Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “tier-II and tier-III cities in India are becoming important markets as affluence rises and travel preferences diversify.”

Informing Rajya Sabha about the progress made in the Nodia Airport, KR Naidu, Minister for Civil Aviation, GoI, said, “Jewar International Airport, poised to become Asia’s largest, will commence regular operations from April. He highlighted the enthusiasm among airlines to operate from the airport, which is expected to boost global connectivity significantly.”

With the allocation for Incredible India campaigns abroad cut down drastically, Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, said, “The government announced to develop 50 destinations this year but we are yet to see any progress in the projects announced in 2023. We have no idea what will happen with earlier announcements. But a decrease in promotional activities overseas will impact tourism activities.”

During OTM in Mumbai, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, J&K emphasised that tourism is a top priority for the state government, and they are planning to position Jammu and Kashmir as a global tourism hotspot. He said, “Our participation in events like OTM is a step toward achieving this vision.”

Union Tourism Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh is expected to attract 30 lakh international visitors.” He added, “Initially, we had estimated around 15 lakh foreign visitors, which does not include non-resident Indians. However, looking at the response we have revised this to double our earlier estimate.”

Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Culture, UP, informed that under the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, the state has received investment proposals worth ₹1 trillion in the hospitality sector in the last two years. The proposals were received after the state organised the Global Investors Summit in February 2023.

Odisha has attracted ₹8,155 crore investment at the ‘Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025,’ for luxury hotels, resorts, adventure, and convention centres. As per Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha, the state is planning to promote itself as a preferred destination for the MICE and destination weddings segment and concert tourism.

Reacting to the Budget-2025, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “The Indian government’s recent budget reflects a strong commitment to boosting tourism. With initiatives like visa waivers to attract international tourists and upgrading 50 major tourist sites in collaboration with states, the focus is on positioning India as a top global destination. These measures, including investments in infrastructure and connectivity, are designed to enhance India’s tourism appeal. Visa waivers, in particular, will ease travel hurdles, inviting more foreign tourists and driving revenue.” He added that the government also emphasises medical tourism, recognising India’s world-class healthcare facilities. Through partnerships with the private sector, medical tourism is poised for growth. Furthermore, the Udaan scheme’s expansion to 120 destinations will facilitate travel, while Mudra loans for homestays will support affordable accommodation options.

Expressing his views, Sanjeev Mehra, President, SKÅL International (India), said, “The Union Budget 2025 has introduced promising initiatives for the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. The focus on developing the top 50 tourist destinations and providing PLI-linked incentives to states will significantly enhance infrastructure, accessibility, and visitor experiences, strengthening India’s position as a global tourism hub.” He further said that the expansion of air connectivity through the modified UDAN scheme, including Patna airport’s expansion and new Greenfield airports, will promote regional tourism and improve accessibility to lesser-explored destinations. Additionally, the allocation of ₹25,000 crore for the Maritime Development Fund will boost cruise and coastal tourism. A key highlight is the emphasis on medical tourism through the “Heal in India” initiative, supported by a PPP model and easier visa norms. India’s high-quality yet affordable healthcare services will make it a stronger global destination for medical travellers. The introduction of MUDRA loans for homestays will further empower small hospitality entrepreneurs, encouraging sustainable and community-driven tourism, he added. This budget is inclusive, ticking the right boxes, though it lacks a major transformative push. However, addressing India’s low per capita income remains crucial for long-term growth. As President of Skål International India and a travel expert for 30 years, I strongly believe that India must now emerge as a global travel business hub like Singapore and Dubai. This budget is a step in the right direction, and we remain committed to making India a world-class travel destination, he concluded.

Reacting to the Union Budget, Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, said, “The Union Budget 2025 has outlined various great initiatives to further develop a future-ready travel ecosystem, with emphasis on people and infrastructure, and aviation as a key enabler. Investment in developing world-class airports, enhancing regional connectivity, capacity upgrades, procedures, regulatory framework and streamlined visa facilities, will all play critical role in bringing this vision of developing India into a global aviation hub to life. By strengthening both domestic and international connectivity, we are fueling economic progress, bridging communities, and reinforcing aviation’s role as a catalyst for national growth and collectively building India as a leading global economic powerhouse.”