Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced investment in a cluster of sectors in the budget to boost the country's tourism. On Sunday, she stated that the tourism industry can play a major role in creating new employment, improving regional economies, and earning foreign exchange.
Special focus on mountain tourism
The budget has placed special emphasis on mountain tourism. India has the opportunity to provide world-class trekking and hiking experiences. Therefore, the Finance Minister also announced the creation of mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu-Kashmir. She also announced the development of new eco-friendly mountain trails in Araku Valley of the Eastern Ghats and Pothigai Malai of the Western Ghats.
Gift for eastern India
The Finance Minister announced that five tourism centres will be created in the five eastern Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. At the same time, 4,000 e-buses will be arranged to further improve the transportation system.
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Focus on coastal tourism
During special times of the year, millions of turtles come to lay eggs in the coastal areas of Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala. She announced tourism centred around this phenomenon. Plans to develop turtle trails have been announced. She has proposed developing bird-watching trails at three locations, including Pulicat Lake, located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Special attention to preserving Buddhist culture
The influence of Buddhist culture on Indian culture cannot be denied. Special projects have also been announced in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura to expand tourism centered on Buddhist culture. Under this, ancient monasteries and temples will be renovated and preserved. Pilgrimage interpretation centres will be established along with arrangements for participation in various religious activities.
Development of archaeological sites
The Finance Minister has also emphasised developing the tourism industry at archaeological and cultural sites. Nirmala announced that tourism will be expanded at 15 locations, including the ruins of the Harappa-Mohenjo-daro civilisation at Lothal-Dholavira in Gujarat, the ruins of Indus civilisation at Rakhigarhi in Haryana, Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu, Sarnath-Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, and Leh Palace. At the same time, people will become acquainted with ancient Indian culture. The Finance Minister announced arrangements for special trials for the public at all these locations.
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Employment through Tourism
Sitharaman has proposed a pilot project to train guides at 20 tourism centres across India. She also announced training 10,000 guides across India jointly with IIM.
International travel
The 2026 central budget promises to make international travel more affordable for Indians. It has been announced that the TCS or duty on foreign travel packages will be reduced. Currently, if it was below 10 lakh rupees, one had to pay 5 per cent tax. If it exceeded 10 lakh rupees, the tax was 20 per cent. Nirmala announced that this tax will be reduced to 2 per cent.
Speaking in Parliament that day, Sitharaman said, "I propose to upgrade the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology to establish a National Institute of Hospitality. This will serve as a bridge between education, industry, and government."
