Tag Archives: Union Budget 2025

With the announcement of the Union Budget 2025, the tourism and hospitality sector witnessed a new dawn of hope for tourism activities in India, specially for infrastructure development. Appreciating the budget, K Syama Raju, President, FHRAI, said, “The plan to develop the top 50 tourism destinations in partnership with state governments is a major initiative. This collaboration will not only improve infrastructure but also help spread tourism across the country, attracting more visitors and benefiting local communities. Additionally, the inclusion of hotels in the harmonious master list and the granting of infrastructure status to the hospitality sector is a significant move. This aligns with our long-standing request for granting of Infrastructure Status to the hospitality industry. This will facilitate access to cheaper, long-term financing, enabling hotels in these newly developed destinations to upgrade their facilities and offer world-class services, further boosting the sector.” He further added, “The focus on medical and wellness tourism through the ‘Heal-in-India’ initiative in the Union Budget 2025 is a forward-thinking move that will strengthen India’s position as a global leader in healthcare. India has already earned a reputation for providing world-class medical treatments at a fraction of the cost found in developed countries. By promoting ‘Heal-in-India,’ the government aims to further capitalise on this strength, attracting international patients seeking affordable, high-quality healthcare services. This initiative will not only boost medical and wellness tourism but will also create a platform for India’s healthcare industry to expand its global footprint. With the support of the government, healthcare facilities across the country will be encouraged to offer specialised treatments and services, making India an attractive destination for patients from both developed and developing nations.” He also highlighted, “The introduction …

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, Nishant Pitti, Chairman, EaseMyTrip, said, “With the prevalence of technology increasing by the day, we expect the government to come up with initiatives to redefine travel experiences with modern technologies like AI, IoT, and VR adaptability. The sectors that need more attention are infrastructure development, policies that encourage niche tourism segments, and fund allocation for smart tourism.”

Ahead of the Union Budget-2025-26, CII has urged the govt to launch a national and international multi-channel marketing campaign, Incredible India 3.0, to showcase India’s diverse tourist attractions. Brand ambassadors in select countries and setting up special desks in Indian embassies abroad would further promote India Tourism, it said. Tourist safety is crucial for tourism promotion, thus, “Mission Suraksha”, with dedicated tourist police and round-the-clock security at major destinations, should be launched to ensure tourists’ safety and trust.

Sharing his expectations from the Union Budget 2025 for the hospitality sector, Vishal Kamat, Chairman, CII Maharashtra Chapter, said, “Our hopes for the Union Budget 2025 revolve around meaningful policy reforms and strategic incentives to stimulate growth. While we applaud the government’s hefty investments in infrastructure, the hospitality sector needs more than just highways and airports.”

Ahead of the Union budget, Rajesh Magow, Co-founder, MMT, said, “The travel & tourism sector is a vital pillar of India’s economy. Allowing GST credit for hotel construction & rationalising GST rates will help reduce the cost of accommodation while stimulating domestic tourism & positively impacting inbound tourism. He requested the FM to allocate resources for the global campaign under the Incredible India initiative.