50 new tourist spots on anvil to boost jobs

{ SIGNIFICANT PUSH TO SECTOR } INITIATIVE INCLUDES GROWTH OF BUDDHIST CIRCUITS, MEDICAL TOURISM FACILITIES

- Vrinda Tulsian

NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a comprehensive plan to transform 50 destinations into world-class tourist hubs as part of the Union Budget 2025-26, marking a significant push to develop India's tourism sector.

The initiative, which includes development of Buddhist circuits and medical tourism facilities, comes with a substantial increase in the tourism ministry's budget allocation to ₹2,541.06 crore for 2025-26, up from the revised estimate of ₹850.36 crore in 2024-25.

"The government's approach to tourism will focus on employment-led growth," Sitharaman said in her budget speech on Saturday. She explained that the development would follow a "challenge mode," requiring states to contribute land for infrastructure development.

The Budget includes several key initiatives to boost tourism, including extension of MUDRA loans to homestays and small hospitality enterprises, e-visa facilitation and visa fee waivers for select tourist groups, launch of 'Heal in India' programme for medical tourism, development of Buddhist heritage sites and inclusion of hotels in the infrastructure harmonised list.