India’s amusement, attractions, and leisure sector is entering a transformative phase, driven by rising consumer demand, evolving tourism patterns, and a renewed push for world-class recreational infrastructure. As the industry prepares for its next leap forward, key policy reforms, safety enhancements, and investment-friendly frameworks are becoming central to its growth narrative.
Voyager’s World speaks to Mr. Ankur Maheshwari, Chairman, Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI), in an exclusive interview to explore the association’s priorities, the sector’s evolving trajectory, and the opportunities shaping India’s future as a global attractions hub. His insights shed light on the challenges, innovations, and collaborative efforts driving the industry ahead.
As the Chairman of IAAPI, what are your key priorities for strengthening India’s amusement, attractions, and leisure industry?
My priorities revolve around policy reform, industry standardisation, and expansion. We are actively driving GST rationalisation, strengthening safety protocols, and enabling faster project development. A major focus is supporting the growth of Indoor Amusement Centres (IACs) and regional amusement destinations through structured guidance, investment facilitation, and capacity building. Alongside these goals, we are committed to amplifying India’s participation in global amusement industry dialogues.
How do you assess the current growth trajectory of India’s amusement and theme park sector within the broader tourism ecosystem?
The sector is currently in a high-growth phase, fuelled by rising disposable incomes, increasing domestic tourism, and a shift towards organised leisure. Amusement and attractions have become essential components of the tourism value chain, contributing to destination development, employment creation, and regional economic progress.
What are the most pressing challenges that amusement and theme park operators in India are facing today?
The industry faces several hurdles, including a high GST rate of 18% that affects affordability, fragmented regulatory frameworks across states, and limited access to long-term financing for capital-intensive projects. These issues impact consumer footfall and investor confidence, slowing down the pace of expansion.
How can state and central governments better support the development of amusement parks as tourism catalysts and employment generators?
Greater support can come from recognising amusement as essential social and tourism infrastructure. Lower GST, streamlined single-window clearances, infrastructure status for large-scale projects, and incentives under state tourism policies can collectively accelerate development, generate employment, and attract substantial private investment.
The amusement and attractions industry has long raised concerns regarding GST classification. Could you explain the current GST framework that applies to amusement parks?
Amusement parks are presently taxed at 18% GST under the entertainment categories. After accounting for input adjustments, the effective tax outflow stands at approximately 7 to 8%. This structure increases compliance complexity without significantly boosting government revenue, while also affecting consumer affordability.
What reforms or reclassifications does IAAPI recommend, and how has the government responded so far?
IAAPI recommends reclassifying amusement parks under the 5% GST slab, aligning their treatment with zoos, museums, and cultural attractions, and recognising their contribution to tourism and social infrastructure. Engagements with the finance and tourism ministries have been positive, with multiple consultations and encouraging responses to the industry’s data-backed projects.
The IAAPI Amusement Park Expo is one of Asia’s key events for the attractions industry. What makes the upcoming edition special?
This year’s edition stands out for its expanded scale and diversity. New pavilions, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, increased participation from Indian manufacturers, and a sharpened focus on indoor and urban amusement formats make it an exceptionally strong and dynamic expo.
Could you share insights on international participation and how global collaboration is shaping the Indian amusement ecosystem?
International participation continues to grow, with strong involvement from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Global manufacturers, safety experts, and technology leaders view India as a long-term strategic market. Their collaboration is helping India adopt advanced ride technologies, global safety benchmarks, and best practices more rapidly.
What new product segments or innovations can attendees expect at this year’s expo?
The upcoming expo will showcase emerging segments such as immersive VR and AR attractions, next-generation indoor amusement and FEC technologies, snow and adventure experiences, sustainable operational solutions, and space-efficient ride designs suited for urban environments. The emphasis is on practical innovations that enhance guest experience and operational efficiency.
Has IAAPI planned any knowledge sessions, workshops, or safety training modules during the exhibition?
Yes. The exhibition will host comprehensive sessions under the IAAPI Academy, covering ride safety, emergency response, crowd management, storytelling and design, and operational excellence. Specialised workshops for mall developers and investors will further strengthen collaboration between industry stakeholders and the business community.
What message would you like to share with policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and prospective companies looking at India’s attractions sector?
India’s amusement and attractions sector is poised to become a major pillar of tourism and family entertainment. With supportive policies and collaborative action, the country can build world-class destinations that generate employment, stimulate regional development, and provide high-quality recreational experiences for millions of families.