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WWW.HOSPITALITYBIZINDIA.COM16 COVER STORY HOSPITALITY BIZ n FEBRUARY, 2025infrastructure, improved connectivity, and world-class amenities. This will not only elevate India%u2019s global tourism competitiveness but also encourage private sector investment in the hospitality ecosystem.The government%u2019s focus on medical tourism is another welcome move that positions India as a leading global hub for high-quality healthcare and wellness services, driving demand for hospitality and allied sectors. More Importantly, putting extra disposable income in the hands of the consumer will boost overall consumption, as well as help in accelerating domestic tourism and increase demand for hotels and travel services. With tourism playing a critical role for employment generation and economic contribution, these measures will act as strong enablers for sustained growth.%u201dAditya Sanghi, CEO, Hotelogix%u201cI welcome the government%u2019s commitment to enhancing tourism across 50 destinations linked to Lord Buddha%u2019s journey. The expected influx of visitors will spur the development of new hotels and infrastructure. It will significantly support India%u2019s growing religious tourism, which is set to generate a revenue of about 59 billion by 2028 and create 140 million temporary and permanent jobs by 2030. Also, the proposed streamlined e-visa system and Visa fee waiver for tourists from select countries will promote inbound tourism as the country is getting ready to host 3%-5% more foreign tourists in 2025 vs. last year.%u201dManju Sharma, Managing Director, Jaypee Hotels & Resorts%u201cWe at Jaypee Hotels and Resorts commend the Government of India for the visionary %u2018Heal in India%u2019 initiative in the Union Budget 2025-26. This program, supported by a 20,000 crore rupee allocation by government, focuses on medical tourism and aligns perfectly with our wellness offerings at Tamaya Spa at Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Greater Noida. Our specialized treatments, including traditional Ayurvedic treatment, varioud kind of yogas, aqua based treatments and modern wellness services, position us to serve the growing medical tourism sector. The government%u2019s emphasis on employment-led growth, improved amenities, and infrastructure harmonization will enhance the experience for medical tourists. We are actively developing partnerships to create comprehensive wellness packages, combining medical treatments like naturopathy combining with allopathy by a registered doctor with rejuvenating spa experiences. This holistic approach sets the stage for India to become a global leader in healthcare and wellness tourism.In addition, the government%u2019s plans to develop the top 50 tourist destinations across the country, with states providing land for hotel development, will significantly boost the hospitality sector. The focus on improving ease of travel, giving streamlined facilities, and potential visa fee waivers for select tourist groups will incentivize travel. The special emphasis on spiritual and religious tourism, particularly destinations related to Lord Buddha, will attract more visitors. These comprehensive measures will drive India%u2019s growth as a premier tourism destination.%u201dAyu Tripathi, Director, Aahana Resort%u201cWe appreciate the government%u2019s forward-looking vision for India%u2019s tourism sector as outlined in the Budget FY2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The comprehensive measures announced demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure and enhancing the overall visitor experience across the country. The plans to develop 50 premier tourist destinations, along with the successful air connectivity to 120 new destinations, will enable an additional four crore passengers over the next 10 years to explore India, showcasing promising growth potential. The emphasis on diverse segments, including spiritual, religious, and medical tourism, suggests potential opportunities for varied tourism experiences across India. As industry stakeholders, we welcome these developments and look forward to contributing to India%u2019s growing hospitality, travel, and tourism landscape.%u201d Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts%u201cThe Union Budget 2025 presents a forward-thinking approach that is bound to benefit the hospitality and tourism sector significantly. The announcement of visa waivers for select foreign tourist groups will undoubtedly make India a more accessible and attractive destination for global travelers. The provision of Mudra loans to support homestays is a commendable step toward boosting grassroots tourism and encouraging local entrepreneurship. These measures will not only enhance travel experiences but also strengthen community-driven hospitality ventures.Moreover, the tax exemption for upto Rs 12 lakh income, and the resulting relief for a large section of the population are game changers for the industry. With higher disposable incomes, people are likely to increase their spending on travel, dining, and leisure experiences. This boost in discretionary spending will drive demand across hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. The government%u2019s thoughtful initiatives will contribute to bolstering consumer confidence and ultimately play a significant role in the growth of the hospitality sector and the nation%u2019s economy as a whole.%u201dRajesh Ghanshani, Director of Partnerships, STAAH%u201cWe are glad to learn that the Union Budget 2025-26 presents a promising outlook for the hospitality space. The government%u2019s focus on providing infrastructure status to hotels in select tourist destinations will