Aditya Pande, Group Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Enterprises
“This budget outlines a compelling roadmap for a Viksit Bharat. The focus on boosting consumption through targeted tax relief for the middle class and the government’s commitment to streamlining tax procedures will significantly improve the ease of doing business and unlock further economic potential. At InterGlobe Enterprises, we are particularly encouraged by the strategic investments and vision for strengthening the holistic tourism ecosystem in the country, with the development of infrastructure and focus on a skilled workforce. These initiatives lay a solid foundation for sustained economic progress and a brighter future for the country.”
Pradeep Shetty, Spokesperson, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India- HRAWI & Vice President, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI)
“I am happy to see the Union Budget 2025 focus on growing India’s tourism sector. The plan to develop the top 50 tourism destinations in partnership with state governments is a major initiative. This collaboration will improve infrastructure and help spread tourism across the country, attracting more visitors and benefiting local communities. Additionally, the inclusion of hotels in these destinations in the harmonious master list 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.
The introduction of visa fee waivers and e-visa options for certain tourist groups will make India an even more attractive destination. Simplifying the visa process will encourage more international visitors, boosting tourism and further contributing to the economy. The government’s focus on promoting religious tourism is also noteworthy. India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage is a major draw for both domestic and international tourists, and the efforts to enhance infrastructure at key religious sites will create more organised, accessible, and enjoyable experiences for pilgrims and travellers alike. This will help further establish India as a leading destination for religious tourism, driving both tourism revenue and cultural exchange.”
Rajiv Mehra, President – Indian Association of Tour Operators
We would like to thank the Hon’ble Finance Minister for developing 50 Tourist Destinations to enhance India’s global standing as a premier tourist destination in partnership with state governments. This will include infrastructure development to improve the overall visitor experience. The focus will be on enhancing the appeal and accessibility of these locations to attract more visitors. Special focus on destinations associated with the Buddha Sector. These sites will be developed to promote spiritual tourism, aiming to attract both domestic and international visitors to elevate India’s status as a spiritual tourism hub. To encourage local tourism, mudra loans will be available to homestay businesses; to promote medical tourism to attract foreign patients under ‘Heal-in-India’ campaigns; to introduce funds-of-funds to support technological innovation and startups in the sector. There is also mention of adding a new sector under the UDAN Scheme and most importantly visa fee waivers and e-visa options that will be introduced for certain tourist groups to attract more visitors.”
Pardeep Kumar Siwach, DGM- Mayfair Spring Valley Resort
“The government’s renewed focus on infrastructure, connectivity, and spiritual tourism aligns with our commitment to providing world-class hospitality in one of India’s most scenic and culturally significant locations—Northeast’s Assam. The emphasis on developing top destinations and the inclusion of hotels in the harmonised infrastructure list will further strengthen the hospitality sector. Additionally, the promotion of medical tourism and the ‘Heal in India’ initiative will position India as a global wellness hub, attracting travellers seeking rejuvenation and holistic healing. We are excited about the potential tourism growth, especially with the focus on seamless travel experiences, destination-led employment generation, and a growing interest in wellness retreats and medical tourism.”
Arun Bagaria, Co-Founder & CEO, TravClan
“TravClan welcomes the budget’s robust focus on tourism as a major engine for economic growth. The government’s plans to develop 50 tourist destinations, enhance e-visa facilities, and introduce visa fee waivers for select countries are encouraging steps that will help create a more vibrant and inclusive tourism ecosystem. As we continue to support travel agents in delivering exceptional experiences, we see these initiatives as key to strengthening India’s global appeal and fostering sustainable growth within the travel industry. We are hopeful that these measures will benefit all stakeholders and further enrich the journeys of travellers worldwide.”
Mamta Binani, President of MSME Development Forum – West Bengal
“The recently announced Union Budget for 2025-26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a game-changer for MSMEs. The enhanced credit guarantee, increased investment limits, and targeted support for women and young entrepreneurs will significantly drive growth and innovation, making Indian MSMEs more competitive on the global stage while creating much-needed employment opportunities. The introduction of customised credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises will provide essential access to finance, enabling growth and sustainability. Furthermore, the focus on tackling non-tariff barriers to exports and enhancing global competitiveness will open new avenues for MSMEs to thrive internationally. These measures, along with the increased focus on women and youth entrepreneurs, will drive innovation, create jobs, and position India as a formidable global manufacturing hub. This holistic approach to strengthening MSMEs is a significant step towards inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”
Pranav Rungta, Vice President, NRAI Mumbai
“At the outset the Restaurant Sector welcomes the bold move of the government to reduce the income tax outlay to citizens, resulting in a 1 lakh crore saving in the hands of the citizens. We hope to see a decent fraction of this additional benefit coming into the Discretionary spending industry like ours. Our Projected growth rate of 8.3% can increase to 10-12% with this boost. It is also positive to see the boost to tourism, and the announcement of Infrastructure status to hotels. However, we hoped the government would have realised that tourists need food too, and the importance of boosting the restaurant sector too. Our long-standing demand for Industry status has been overlooked for years.”
Saurabh Gahoi, Senior Vice President, Ramee Group of Hotels
“The Union Budget announcement by FM Sitharaman marks a significant milestone, driving growth while empowering citizens, particularly the middle class. A notable highlight is the emphasis on the travel and hospitality industry, which promises transformative changes. Key measures include enhancing connectivity to major tourist destinations, offering performance-linked incentives to states for better destination management, and improving tourist amenities and cleanliness. Additionally, the introduction of streamlined e-visa facilities and visa-fee waivers for select groups is set to boost inbound travel.
Additionally, domestic and spiritual tourism is set to flourish, supported by revised income tax reforms that encourage travel within the country. A major boost comes from intensive skill-development programs, particularly in Institutes of Hospitality Management, ensuring world-class training for the youth. By prioritizing individual growth, these initiatives will lead to superior customer experiences, elevating India’s hospitality standards globally. This budget catalyses long-term industry growth, creating new business opportunities and employment. With a focus on infrastructure, workforce development, and seamless travel experiences, FM Sitharaman’s budget is a game-changer, strengthening India’s position as a premier travel and hospitality hub.”
Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD, Cygnett Hotels and Resorts
“The Union Budget’s strategic emphasis on tourism is a welcome move that will significantly boost India’s hospitality industry. The development of 50 key destinations under challenge mode, along with streamlined e-visas and visa-free access for select tourist groups, will drive international footfall and enhance India’s global appeal. The government’s initiative to include new hotels coming up in 50 key destinations in the infrastructure harmonized list (HML) for projects where land will be provided by the state governments is a welcome step. This will help hospitality investors to avail infrastructure lending at easier terms with enhanced limits and offer access to larger amounts of funds as External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs).
The government’s plan to introduce a modified UDAN scheme for strengthening connectivity to an additional 120 destinations and supporting helipad development in the northeastern region will help to connect potential tourist destinations in the region. Particularly, the focus on the Buddhist Circuit presents immense opportunities for hospitality expansion. With greater infrastructure and promotion around these culturally significant sites, we see strong potential to develop quality accommodations and travel experiences in these regions, catering to both domestic and international travellers. Additionally, skill development initiatives through IHMs and financial support for homestays via Mudra loans will strengthen the sector, ensuring high-quality service and deeper community involvement in tourism growth.”
Mr. Rajan Sethi, Managing Director, Bright Hospitality
“The Union Budget 2025 presents a promising roadmap for India’s hospitality and tourism sector, with a strong focus on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and connectivity. The emphasis on developing the top 50 tourist destinations, along with streamlined visa policies and Mudra loans for homestays, will significantly boost domestic and international tourism. Initiatives like performance-linked incentives for states and skill development programs in hospitality will help elevate service standards and create new employment opportunities. Furthermore, the expansion of the Udaan scheme and the development of Greenfield airports will enhance accessibility, making travel more seamless for tourists. At Bright Hospitality, we see these measures as a catalyst for growth, allowing us to expand our footprint and continue delivering exceptional culinary and hospitality experiences. We look forward to leveraging these opportunities to contribute to India’s evolving hospitality landscape.”
Mr Jatinder Paul Singh, CEO and Co-founder, Viacation
“The Union Budget 2025’s focus on enhancing tourism infrastructure, improving connectivity, and supporting adventure tourism provides a promising outlook for experiential travel in India. The Budget’s dedication to supporting startups through access to funding, ease of doing business, and the promotion of innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to democratise adventure travel. The government’s renewed focus on local employment through tourism and the development of new destinations further supports our goal of making adventure tourism more sustainable and inclusive. The promotion of medical tourism and the ‘Heal in India’ initiative positions India as a global wellness hub, attracting travellers seeking rejuvenation and holistic healing. We are particularly excited about the potential for growth in the tourism sector, with a strong emphasis on seamless travel experiences and the creation of destination-led employment. We look forward to expanding our reach, offering responsible tourism, and providing unique adventure-filled journeys in some of India’s most scenic and culturally significant locations, aligned with the growing interest in wellness retreats and medical tourism.”
Mr Ritwik Khare, Founder and CEO, ELIVAAS
“The Union Budget 2025 provides a significant boost to tourism and hospitality, with plans for the development of 50 top destinations and enhanced infrastructure. This presents exciting opportunities for us to redefine luxury villa experiences, not only in popular tourist hotspots but also in offbeat and emerging destinations across India and the world. The government’s focus on improving connectivity through the UDAN scheme and easing visa facilitation will help elevate India’s position as a top global travel destination, ensuring seamless travel experiences for high-end tourists. The Budget’s emphasis on supporting startups through simplified regulations and increased access to funding will further enable our growth. As a startup in the luxury hospitality sector, these initiatives will strengthen our ability to innovate and offer exceptional vacation rentals in both renowned and hidden gems. We support the government’s push for local employment and the development of hyper-local tourism to tap into the rich diversity of India, boosting local economies while offering travellers unique cultural experiences. We welcome these initiatives and look forward to curating exceptional stays that align with India’s growing appeal on the global tourism map.”
Priyanka Raju, Director, Kalyani Developers
“The initiatives announced in today’s union budget for the tourism sector such as the UDAN regional connectivity schemes, collaborating with state governments to develop the top 50 tourist destinations, supporting airport and infrastructure development, promoting employment growth, organising intensive skill development programs, providing Mudra loans for homestays, offering performance-linked incentives to states for effective destination management, and issuing visa waivers for tourist groups comes as a boost for the sector. The focus on spiritual and medical tourism will further boost the sector. The extension of regional connectivity to 220 new destinations and the anticipated increase of 40 million additional passengers will create new opportunities for the hospitality industry by driving demands for accommodations, F&B and ancillary services. It will significantly contribute to making travel more accessible and affordable, while also bolstering local economies.”