Union Budget 2026: Industry Perspectives and Reactions

Shri Temjen Imna Along

Minister of Higher Education & Tourism, Government of Nagaland

The Union Budget 2026–27 sends a strong signal that services, education and tourism will be central to India’s next phase of growth, and this has direct relevance for Nagaland. The proposal to establish University Townships along major corridors, coupled with the High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee, reinforces the need to align higher education with employability and entrepreneurship, an area Nagaland has been actively reforming.

For the tourism sector, the upgradation of the National Council for Hotel Management into a National Institute of Hospitality, the pilot programme to train 10,000 certified guides, and the creation of a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid will professionalise tourism while opening new opportunities for local youth. These measures are especially relevant for culturally rich states like Nagaland, where heritage, festivals and community tourism are key economic drivers.

The Budget’s focus on MSMEs, startups and creative industries, including AVGC and design education, provides pathways for youth to participate in the orange economy without migrating out of the region. Importantly, the continued thrust on Purvodaya and targeted tourism development in eastern and North-Eastern states acknowledges regional aspirations. This Budget offers Nagaland the policy tools to convert education into employment and tourism into sustainable livelihoods.

Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar

Tourism Minister, Government of Mizoram

The Union Budget 2026–27 places tourism firmly at the intersection of employment generation, cultural preservation and sustainable regional development, a perspective that aligns closely with Mizoram’s priorities. The emphasis on eco-sensitive tourism, professional skilling, hospitality education and digital documentation reflects a shift from volume-driven tourism to value-based, experience-oriented models.

The National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid will enable systematic documentation and storytelling of lesser-known destinations, opening new avenues for local youth, researchers and creative professionals. Investments in guide certification and hospitality skilling will further strengthen service quality while generating dignified livelihoods across hill and rural districts.

The continued thrust on infrastructure, with public capital expenditure rising to ₹12.2 lakh crore, alongside incentives for last-mile connectivity, will improve access to interior tourism circuits. Support for MSMEs, women-led enterprises and community entrepreneurship further ensures that tourism growth remains inclusive and locally anchored. Overall, the Budget provides a balanced and future-ready roadmap for Mizoram’s tourism-led development.

Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Education, Rural Works, Parliamentary Affairs & Libraries, Government of Arunachal Pradesh

The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a mature understanding of India’s diversity by addressing development through capacity-building, connectivity and cultural continuity. For Arunachal Pradesh, the emphasis on Purvodaya, sustained capital expenditure of ₹12.2 lakh crore, and enhanced fiscal devolution under the 16th Finance Commission strengthens the foundation for long-term, decentralised growth.

What stands out is the Budget’s clear pivot from welfare delivery to capability creation. The Education-to-Employment Standing Committee, University Townships, and girls’ hostels in

every district directly address access and aspiration in remote and border regions. Equally important is the focus on digital documentation of heritage and knowledge through the National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, which complements Arunachal Pradesh’s efforts to preserve libraries, manuscripts and indigenous knowledge systems.

The Budget also recognises that rural infrastructure and livelihoods must move together. Increased support for high-value agriculture in the North-East, including agarwood, combined with investments in last-mile connectivity, seaplane operations and rural infrastructure, will significantly improve market access in difficult terrain. The expansion of SHE Marts under the Lakhpati Didi framework is particularly relevant for tribal and women-led enterprises, enabling a transition from subsistence activity to ownership-based rural entrepreneurship.

Within this broader framework, the proposed Buddhist Circuit scheme reinforces Arunachal Pradesh’s role as a civilisational bridge between India and Asia. Overall, the Budget provides a balanced roadmap—linking education, rural works, cultural preservation and economic opportunity—to empower frontier states as active contributors to Viksit Bharat.

Pradeep Shetty

Spokesperson, Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI.

“Placing tourism at the centre of India’s growth strategy in the Union Budget 2026–27 is a welcome move. Right steps with clear focus on skilling, destination development and experiential offerings like spiritual, heritage and wildlife circuits, will certainly help strengthen domestic tourism. Initiatives such as the National Institute of Hospitality and the upskilling of guides are positive steps toward enhancing service quality and employability. However, critical structural enablers remain unaddressed. To truly unlock the sector’s potential for jobs and foreign exchange; we urgently need Infrastructure Status for the hospitality industry, GST rationalization, tax incentives for new and green hotels, and stronger measures to boost FTAs. Without these, achieving scalable, regionally-balanced tourism growth will remain a challenge,” 

KB Kachru

President, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group

Budget 2026-27 reflects a strong focus on accelerating and sustaining economic growth, with a decisive push on infrastructure- both critical drivers for the tourism sector, where growth is closely linked to these factors. The renewed emphasis on the services sector, coupled with the recognition of tourism’s potential to generate employment, boost foreign exchange earnings, and expand local economies, is particularly encouraging.

The Budget’s proposals, including the National Institute of Hospitality, aim to strengthen industry-aligned skilling, research, and leadership development. Infrastructure growth in Tier 2–3 cities, the East Coast Tourism Corridor, and importantly focus on medical-value tourism,  are expected to boost hotel viability, diversify India’s offerings, and enhance global competitiveness. Content-creator labs will further amplify India’s tourism story. Industry-specific measures, including the development of new tourist experiences and their enhancement through technology, such as the establishment of the National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, further signal a forward-looking approach.

Despite the Budget’s positive thrust, a long-standing aspiration of the sector, comprehensive infrastructure recognition, remains unmet. Realizing the sector’s true potential requires key structural reforms: expanding infrastructure recognition beyond the currently designated destinations to ensure equitable access to capital, placing tourism on the concurrent list to strengthen Centre-state policy coordination, and rationalizing GST to enhance competitiveness. These enablers will amplify the impact of current initiatives and provide a strong foundation for sustainable, long-term growth across the tourism sector.

Given the government’s clear commitment to the sector, we look forward to engaging in post-budget discussions on sector specific policies including Marketing India overseas that can translate this intent into tangible outcomes.
HAI remains dedicated to supporting the government’s vision of expanding the tourism economy to 10% of GDP by 2047, and ideally, achieving this milestone even sooner.

Pranav Rungta

"Budget 2026 is a positive step for India’s hospitality sector. Announcements like the first-ever National Institute of Hospitality and structured skill development for tourist guides will strengthen service standards and prepare our workforce to meet growing domestic and international demand.At the same time, restaurants continue to face structural challenges such as GST on commercial leases, access to export incentives like SEIS and easier SME support. Addressing these challenges alongside rising tourism and dining demand is key to building a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive hospitality sector"

Anil Chadha

“The Budget’s renewed focus on tourism is a strong vote of confidence in an industry that creates livelihoods at scale, supporting local entrepreneurs, artisans, and communities across the tourism value chain. The proposed upgradation of National IHMs and the NCHMT (National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology), alongside structured guide skilling initiatives, will significantly strengthen service quality and global competitiveness in hospitality. The emphasis on medical tourism further positions India as a trusted destination combining care, capability and hospitality. Equally transformative is the push towards a digital and AI-enabled tourism knowledge framework, which will enhance discoverability, planning and destination management. The Budget’s ‘Growth Connectors’—seven high speed rail corridors will enhance connectivity between western, southern & eastern parts of the country. The focus on adventure tourism including trekking, hiking and wildlife trails along with development of Buddhist circuits across North-East states highlights the importance of responsible, experience-led growth that protects the very destinations travel

Kush Kapoor

CEO of  Roseate Hotels & Resorts 

"The Union Budget’s strong focus on hospitality, tourism skilling and destination development is a welcome and timely step for our sector. The proposed National Institute of Hospitality will play a critical role in creating a future-ready talent pipeline, ensuring that hotels have access to skilled professionals aligned with global service standards. Initiatives such as structured training for tourist guides, the national digital destination registry and the emphasis on heritage, adventure and eco-tourism will directly enhance destination appeal, improve guest experiences and drive longer stays. For hotels, this translates into better storytelling, more immersive experiences for guests and a stronger ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and foreign exchange earnings.”

Nikhil Sharma

Managing Director & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group

“We welcome the Union Budget 2026–27 presented by the Hon’ble Finance Minister, which lays the foundation for hospitality and tourism to scale responsibly across India while reinforcing the sector’s role in employment generation and regional economic growth. The renewed focus on strengthening last-mile infrastructure, expanding rail connectivity, and promoting destination-led tourism beyond major metropolitan centres creates a strong foundation for expanding tourism into new growth markets.

The focus on sustainable and experiential tourism, including the development of Himalayan trails, the continued push for Buddhist circuits, and the strong policy thrust on the Northeast, will support the growth of diverse tourism segments while enabling more balanced regional development. These measures are expected to encourage longer stays, wider travel dispersal, and stronger demand for quality accommodation and services across tier-2 and tier-3 markets.

One of the key initiatives is the announcement to set up a National Institute of Hospitality and strengthen the Council for Hotel Management, recognising that skilling will be critical to the sector’s long-term sustainability. The hospitality industry has been reinforcing its talent pipelines through structured training programmes, partnerships with hospitality institutes, and focused efforts to build local capabilities.

Overall, the Budget’s integrated approach to infrastructure, destination development, and skill-building creates a positive environment for tourism and hospitality to scale responsibly. Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion across emerging destinations, including the Northeast, and its continued investment in skill development are closely aligned with this direction, supporting the creation of sustainable jobs and resilient tourism ecosystems."

Shwetank Singh

MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels Ltd. 

The Union Budget 2026 represents a significant commitment to elevating India's tourism and hospitality ecosystem, and we are genuinely encouraged by the Finance Minister's comprehensive vision for the sector. The upgrade of NCHMCT into a National Institute of Hospitality is transformative: it will create a world-class talent pipeline that bridges industry needs with academic excellence, directly addressing the skilled manpower requirements of our expanding sector.

The national digital destination registry and upgrade of 15 archaeological sites into cultural destinations demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of experiential tourism infrastructure. These initiatives, combined with ecologically sustainable mountain trail development, position India to capture diverse tourism segments from heritage to adventure to wellness.

However, our long standing ask to grant comprehensive infrastructure status to the sector continues to remain a distant dream.

The sector remains focused on three priorities that will unlock exponential scale: comprehensive infrastructure status recognition beyond the current 50 destinations to enable equitable capital access across all hospitality projects; placement of tourism in the concurrent list to strengthen Centre-state policy coordination; and GST rationalization to enhance competitiveness. With India targeting a $1 trillion GDP contribution from services and 64 million jobs by 2035, these structural enablers will amplify the impact of today's programmatic investments.

Manoj Bhat

Managing Director & CEO of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd

“The Union Budget 2026 reinforces the government’s intent to use tourism and hospitality as levers for balanced economic growth rather than treating them as standalone consumption sectors. The focus on destination development beyond metros, improved physical connectivity, and a sharper push on spiritual and heritage circuits reflects a recognition that tourism growth must be geographically distributed and locally rooted.

Equally important is the emphasis on skilling and workforce development. As the sector expands into tier two and three markets, the availability of trained talent will determine not just service quality but the sustainability of growth itself. By linking infrastructure creation with human capital development, the Budget moves the conversation from short-term demand creation to building a resilient, employment-generating tourism ecosystem.”

Mahesh Iyer

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook (India) Limited

“The Union Budget 2026 reflects a strong recognition of tourism as a strategic pillar for economic growth, employment generation, and regional development. From a consumer standpoint, the rationalisation of Tax Collected at Source is a welcome move, the simplified flat 2% TCS on overseas tour programme packages replaces the earlier two-tier structure, easing compliance and unblocking cash flows for travellers. We also appreciate the reduction of TCS to 2% on education and medical remittances, which will significantly ease the burden on these important long-term drivers, especially amid the impact of rupee depreciation.
The pilot initiative to upskill 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic sites through a standardised 12-week hybrid programme is a strong step towards ensuring quality service delivery and enhancing India’s global competitiveness. Additionally, the development of seven high-speed rail corridors, expansion of 20–25 new National Waterways, and incentives for indigenising seaplane manufacturing will greatly enhance connectivity and unlock new tourism circuits, including remote and island destinations. The proposed scheme to develop five regional medical tourism hubs in partnership with the private sector further strengthens India’s positioning as a global healthcare destination.
Overall, the Budget reinforces tourism’s role in driving inclusive growth; however, a higher marketing outlay towards promoting Incredible India could have delivered a powerful double-barrel impact by complementing infrastructure development with stronger global visibility.”

Vishal Suri

Managing Director & CEO, SOTC Travel Limited

"Budget 2026 sets the stage for accelerated growth in India’s travel and tourism sector. The reduction of TCS on outbound travel to 2% will make international holidays more accessible and boost demand. While the establishment of five regional medical tourism hubs positions India as a leading destination for integrated hospitality and healthcare. High-speed rail corridors, city economic regions and the expansion of nature-based and experiential tourism—from eco-trails and mountain circuits to wildlife and heritage experiences—will enhance connectivity and diversify offerings. Initiatives such as training 10,000 tourist guides, establishing the National Institute of Hospitality, and developing a Digital Knowledge Grid will professionalize the workforce and strengthen planning. Together, these measures enhance the competitiveness of Indian tour operators, attract investment, and create new opportunities across the tourism value chain. We welcome these progressive steps, while continuing to advocate for formal Industry status for tourism to unlock the sector’s full potential.”

Aditya Pande

Group Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Enterprises

“The Union Budget outlines a strong, forward-looking roadmap toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047. We welcome the government’s continued focus on strengthening India’s travel, tourism, and hospitality ecosystem through improved connectivity, accessibility, and destination infrastructure. The emphasis on skill development, heritage, and ecotourism reflects a deep understanding of the sector’s economic potential. These measures will boost demand, support local economies, and strengthen India’s position as a global hub for high-quality hospitality and travel.”

Siddhartha Gupta

CEO, Yatra Online Limited

“India’s travel and tourism sector has reached a point where demand is well established across segments and geographies. The focus now has to be on building an ecosystem that allows this demand to scale in a more efficient, affordable, and predictable way, and the Union Budget 2026-27 takes steps in that direction.

A continued push on connectivity and planned urban development will make inter-city travel more reliable and bring Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities further into the mainstream of both business and leisure travel. For platforms like Yatra, this creates a stronger base for corporate travel, MICE and long-stay demand beyond the largest metros.

The reduction of TCS on overseas tour packages to 2% without any value threshold is a practical and welcome reform. By lowering the upfront cash outgo and simplifying the structure, it improves liquidity for travelers and removes a long-standing friction point in outbound travel planning, which should support healthier and more consistent demand.

It is encouraging to see tourism being viewed through the lens of employment, foreign exchange, and local economic development. Overall, the Budget provides a clear and balanced direction for how travel can grow responsibly strengthening connectivity, improving affordability, and creating the conditions for the industry to deliver lasting economic and employment impact”

Rajesh Magow

Chair, FICCI Tourism Committee and Co-founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip

“The Budget reinforces the government’s sustained focus on travel and tourism as a long-term growth driver. The rationalisation of TCS on overseas tour packages is a welcome step that addresses upfront liquidity impact on Indian outbound travellers. The government’s infrastructure-led investments have played an important role in supporting the growth of domestic tourism, and it is encouraging to see this momentum being sustained. Continued focus on regional connectivity and destination development, along with an emphasis on skilling and the creation of a national digital repository for destinations, will help improve destination discovery and enhance the overall traveller experience.”

Vikram Lalvani

Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts

“The Union Budget 2026 reflects a clear thematic shift in India’s tourism agenda from destinations to purpose-led journeys. It positions tourism as a multi-dimensional engine anchored in wellness and healing, spiritual and cultural circuits, nature and conservation-led travel, adventure and mountain ecosystems, and stronger regional connectivity that enables exploration beyond metros.

Equally significant is the focus on strengthening the sector’s foundations through hospitality education and skilling, structured upskilling of guides, and the creation of a national digital knowledge grid—measures that can raise service standards, enhance visitor experience, and support sustainable destination development.

Initiatives spanning Buddhist circuits, sustainable Himalayan hiking trails, medical and wellness tourism, Ayurveda, heritage-led travel, and conservation-linked trails such as Odisha’s turtle nesting corridors together create the right ecosystem for responsible growth where communities, travellers and destinations all benefit. Overall, the Budget creates a strong tailwind for experience-led hospitality and tourism models built around circuits, longer stays and more meaningful travel.”

Samir MC

CEO, Tamara Leisure Experiences

“This Budget lays out a coherent, long-term blueprint to take India’s hospitality and tourism sector decisively onto the global stage. By strengthening institutional capability through a National Institute of Hospitality, envisioned as a bridge between academia, industry, and government, alongside a clear emphasis on skilling and connectivity, it creates a strong foundation for sustainable sectoral growth.

Particularly encouraging is the shift towards experience-led tourism, spanning archaeological and heritage sites, spiritual and Buddhist circuits, temple towns, and nature-based destinations across emerging regions. The focus on immersive storytelling, destination-led infrastructure, and development beyond metros reflects an approach aligned with building responsible hospitality destinations that are rooted in place, culture, and community. With improved regional and last-mile connectivity, greener mobility solutions, streamlined clearances, and targeted support for Tier II and Tier III cities as growth engines, the ecosystem is becoming more conducive to long-term, responsible growth.

Lastly, the emphasis on regional medical hubs and integrated wellness and AYUSH ecosystems further strengthens India’s appeal as a holistic destination, expanding the scope of tourism beyond leisure into healthcare-led, high-value travel. For us, this Budget closely mirrors the long-term vision we have always believed is essential for building meaningful hospitality destinations.”

Sarbendra Sarkar

Managing Director & Founder, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts

Budget 2026 presents a comprehensive and future-ready vision for tourism and hospitality, placing India firmly on a high-growth trajectory. The focus on building a world-class hospitality talent hub, along with professional guide training, will significantly raise service standards and create a skilled workforce capable of delivering globally benchmarked experiences. Digital destination platforms and creator-led promotion signal a modern, data-driven approach to tourism marketing that will enhance visibility and demand across regions.

The reduction of TCS on overseas tour packages to 2 percent is a welcome move that improves travel affordability and sentiment, while the rollout of green high-speed rail corridors will redefine inter-city mobility. Faster, sustainable rail connectivity will encourage shorter, more frequent trips and unlock new demand for city and regional hospitality. Enhanced last-mile access through initiatives such as seaplane connectivity further strengthens destination reach.

Equally impactful is the emphasis on eco-friendly mountain trails, heritage site revitalisation, Buddhist circuits and Purvodaya-led tourism development. These initiatives balance conservation with livelihood creation and help diversify tourism beyond traditional markets. The growing focus on medical tourism further positions India as a competitive global destination.

For Cygnett Hotels and Resorts, this integrated policy push creates a strong foundation for expansion across business, leisure and emerging destinations. Budget 2026 reinforces confidence in India’s tourism growth story, driven by connectivity, capability and conscious development.”

Sumit Mitruka

Founder & CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts

“Improved high-speed rail connectivity to Siliguri is a landmark step for the Northeast, with the potential to fundamentally reshape how the region is discovered and experienced. Though bullet train, faster and more reliable access will reduce travel fatigue, encourage longer stays, and make destinations across Sikkim, North Bengal and the wider Northeast more attractive for both domestic and international travellers. For the hospitality sector, this means stronger seasonality balance, improved viability for off-beat locations, and greater confidence for long-term investment in responsible tourism infrastructure.

Equally significant is the announcement around the development of new trekking routes. The Northeast has some of India’s most pristine landscapes, but much of this potential has remained untapped due to limited access and fragmented planning. Structured trekking corridors, developed with safety, sustainability and local participation at the core, can unlock high-value experiential tourism while preserving ecological integrity. Well-planned trails will generate livelihoods for local guides, porters and homestay owners, while also dispersing tourist footfall beyond a few overcrowded destinations.

Together, high-speed connectivity and curated adventure tourism create a powerful ecosystem, one that supports regional economies, promotes cultural exchange, and positions the Northeast as a year-round experiential destination rather than a seasonal getaway.”

Ritwik Khare

Founder and CEO of ELIVAAS

“Budget 2026 outlines a strong, growth-driven vision for tourism and hospitality, with infrastructure, mobility and affordability working together to expand demand. The announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors is particularly significant, as faster rail connectivity will fundamentally change how travellers plan their trips. Reduced travel time encourages more frequent, shorter holidays and makes weekend and mid-week leisure travel far more viable across regions. High-speed rail also offers a cost-effective alternative to air travel, opening the market to a wider customer base that values speed without premium pricing.

The reduction in overseas tour package TCS from 5 percent to 2 percent is another positive step, as it improves overall travel sentiment and disposable spending, indirectly benefiting domestic hospitality as travellers balance international and local experiences. Combined with improved infrastructure and destination development, these measures will increase travel velocity and diversify travel patterns beyond peak seasons.

For ELIVAAS, this creates meaningful opportunities. Faster connectivity and shorter travel cycles align well with the growing preference for private, well-managed villas and flexible stay formats. Guests seeking quick, high-quality getaways will increasingly look for trusted accommodation options that offer comfort, privacy and curated experiences. Budget 2026 strengthens the ecosystem needed to support this shift, enabling sustained demand growth, wider geographic expansion and a more resilient, experience-led hospitality market.”

Jaideep Ahuja

Managing Director & CEO, Ahuja Residences

The Union Budget 2026’s increase in public capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore, marking a nearly 9% rise over last year, reinforces the government’s long-term focus on infrastructure-led growth. Enhanced connectivity, urban expansion, and development of commercial and logistics hubs are expected to translate into stronger demand for travel and accommodation across emerging and established markets.

Commenting on the announcement, Jaideep Ahuja, Managing Director & CEO, Ahuja Residences Private Limited, said, “The continued year-on-year increase in public capex reflects a consistent commitment to building demand through infrastructure. This directly supports both hotels and serviced apartments by enabling expansion into growth corridors where business travel and long-stay requirements are accelerating.

Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal

Founder and Director Lenexis Foodworks

“The Union Budget 2026 reflects a strong commitment to sustainable growth, infrastructure-led development, and ease of doing business. For the QSR industry, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, logistics efficiency, and skilling creates a powerful foundation for the next phase of expansion. At Lenexis Foodworks, we see this as an opportunity to deepen our presence, strengthen our supply chains, and deliver greater value to consumers across India.”

 Gaurav Malik

Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda

Agoda welcomes the Union Budget and congratulates the Government on placing travel and tourism firmly within India’s next phase of growth. The Budget recognises the travel sector as a practical engine for jobs, skills, and regional participation, while responding to how traveller preferences are changing across the country. 

The focus on capability-building and destination readiness stands out. Measures such as setting up a National Institute of Hospitality, upskilling guides at iconic sites, and creating a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid show a holistic approach that combines talent, technology, and storytelling. At the same time, investments in experiential destinations, sustainable nature-based trails, cultural sites, and global wildlife engagement reflect a clear intent to broaden travel beyond large cities and enable year-round demand across emerging destinations. 

Overall, the Budget sends a clear message that tourism plays a role not only in economic expansion, but also in shaping how people explore India and the world. Agoda looks forward to supporting this momentum by improving discovery, choice, and booking ease for travellers as travel across India becomes broader and more experience led. 

Bhavik Sheth

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Evoke Experiences

“From a Gujarat lens, the post-Budget focus on upgrading Indus Valley Civilisation sites like Dholavira and Lothal is a powerful step towards positioning the state as a global heritage destination. These sites are not just archaeological landmarks; they are living narratives of India’s 5,000-year-old urban intelligence, sustainability practices and civic planning. Structured investment in interpretation centres, visitor infrastructure and storytelling will allow global travellers to engage more meaningfully with this legacy, rather than experiencing it as static ruins.

For experiential hospitality brands like us, this opens up opportunities to curate immersive journeys that blend history, landscape and local communities, from guided archaeological walks and cultural immersions to responsible stays that benefit nearby regions. Gujarat has long had strong cultural assets; this announcement elevates its historical depth on the global stage. If executed thoughtfully, the upgrade of Dholavira and Lothal can redefine heritage tourism in India, moving it towards education-led, experience-driven and globally benchmarked offerings.”

Sanat Hooja

Partner, Machan Resorts

Budget 2026 sends a clear signal that tourism growth must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. The focus on nature-based tourism, ecological trails, heritage conservation, and experiential destinations reflects a conscious shift towards building tourism that is mindful, inclusive, and future-ready.

Investments in connectivity, destination skilling, and digital documentation of cultural and natural assets will help disperse tourism beyond crowded centres, creating balanced growth for both established and emerging destinations.

For resorts operating in sensitive ecosystems, such measures encourage thoughtful development rather than volume-led expansion.

The continued emphasis on sustainability-driven initiatives is encouraging; however, streamlined licensing processes and clearer, single-window approvals will be critical in enabling both small and large establishments to adopt eco-friendly infrastructure efficiently.

 Greater institutional support for sustainable practices will further empower responsible operators to invest with confidence.

Overall, the Budget lays the groundwork for a more resilient tourism ecosystem—one that values conservation, community engagement, and long-term impact as much as economic growth.