New Delhi: Tourism industry experts have given a mixed reaction to the Union Budget 2026. They welcomed the government’s recognition of tourism as a key engine for job creation, skill development, and improved transport connectivity across various locations.
The emphasis on training and infrastructure is considered a positive step towards strengthening the long-term foundation of the sector. However, industry stakeholders pointed out that the budget did not outline concrete measures for promoting destinations or undertaking robust marketing efforts for domestic and international travelers. In the absence of a clear roadmap for promotion and demand generation, experts believe the sector may struggle to fully capitalize on the announced infrastructure and skill-building initiatives.
Expressing his views on the budget, Ravi Gosain, an expert from the hospitality sector, told ETV Bharat, “It is a relief for us that tourism has been recognized as a driver of job creation and national growth. However, the government has not allocated any budget for its promotion.”
Gosain questioned, “The government is investing in tourism infrastructure and providing training to local youth for employment in various locations, but there is a gap between building infrastructure and the number of tourists who will actually visit. The lack of promotion and publicity could limit their impact.
Without consistent efforts to attract tourists, the true benefit of developing such facilities will not be realized, as fewer tourists will mean fewer opportunities for local communities.” Sharing a similar opinion on tourism, Deepak Kumar Bhatnagar, a tourism sector expert, told ETV Bharat, “By focusing on job creation and infrastructure development, the industry has once again missed an opportunity, while neglecting the need for strong marketing and promotional efforts targeting international tourists.” He further stated that without proper publicity to attract tourists to these places, the usefulness of training local youth remains questionable, and asked who would employ this skilled workforce if the number of tourists does not increase.
Reacting to the budget, tourism expert and Honorary Treasurer of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), Girish Oberoi, told ETV Bharat, “The government has announced the development of 15 heritage sites as cultural sites. This move will certainly boost the industry. High-speed corridor connectivity and medical tourism are positive steps taken by the government.”
Oberoi added, “Around 10,000 local youth will be provided skill training to generate employment, which will help in developing these places as cultural hubs.” Another expert, Subhash Goyal, told ETV Bharat, “The good thing is that the government is going to develop some Buddhist circuits and promote medical tourism across the country.”
Goyal further said, “Some of the issues that have not been addressed in the budget, which we have been demanding for a long time, include market development assistance for tour operators and granting them the status of an export industry.”
