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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on February 1, 2026
The Budget 2026-27 has emerged as a significant boost for India’s tourism and hospitality sector, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighting tourism as a key driver of employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. The budget outlines a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, affordability, sustainability, and skill development across the sector.
Presenting the budget in Parliament, Sitharaman announced that 15 archaeological sites across the country will be developed into vibrant and experiential cultural destinations. These sites will feature curated walkways, allowing the public to explore excavated landscapes while enhancing cultural tourism experiences.
A major highlight of the budget is the reduction in Tax Collected at Source on international tour programmes. The TCS has been brought down from the existing 5% and 20% rates to a flat 2%, with no minimum amount condition, making international travel more affordable for Indian travellers.
The government also announced the creation of five tourism hubs across the Purvodaya states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. As part of this initiative, provisions will be made for 4,000 e-buses to improve connectivity and promote sustainable transportation.
To strengthen tourism education and industry collaboration, Sitharaman proposed the establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality by upgrading the existing National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology. The institute will act as a bridge between academia, industry, and government. In addition, a pilot scheme will be launched to train tourist guides across major tourism hubs in India.
Sustainable and nature-based tourism also received focused attention in the budget. Ecologically sustainable mountain trails will be developed in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Araku Valley in the Eastern Ghats, and Pothigai Malai in the Western Ghats. Bird tourism development projects will also be initiated in Pazhaverkadu in Tamil Nadu. Further, turtle trails will be created along key nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Spiritual tourism is set to gain momentum under Budget 2026, with announcements for state-of-the-art infrastructure development, including meditation centres and enhanced facilities at spiritual destinations across the country.
The budget also places strong emphasis on connectivity and mobility. Seven high-speed rail corridors will be developed between key city pairs, including Mumbai–Pune, Hyderabad–Pune, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri. These corridors are envisioned as growth connectors supporting environmentally sustainable passenger transport.
In a move to promote medical and wellness tourism, the government announced the development of five new regional medical hubs in partnership with private players. A hub for medical value tourism will also be established to attract international patients. Supporting infrastructure such as a National Destination Knowledge Grid will be introduced to manage and share information related to tourist destinations.
Further enhancing travel experiences, 20 new national waterways will be developed over the next five years to improve water transport efficiency. Incentives will be provided for seaplane operations through a Seaplane VGF scheme, making water-based connectivity more viable.
Adding further support to allied sectors, Sitharaman announced that no import tax will be collected on fish captured in international waters. This move is expected to benefit both the fisheries and hospitality sectors by supporting supply chains and cost efficiency.
With these wide-ranging measures, Budget 2026 sets the stage for a new wave of growth in tourism and hospitality, promising enhanced guest experiences, stronger infrastructure, and long-term benefits for hotels, tourism operators, and travellers alike.
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Published on February 25, 2026
Set amidst flowing river waters and open natural surroundings, Stone Water by Zuper has officially opened its doors, introducing a fresh destination escape near Mumbai. Designed as a Bali-inspired retreat, the resort blends nature, thoughtful architecture, luxury living, and recreation, positioning itself as a standout hospitality offering in Karjat.
The resort features 126 well-designed rooms spread across five distinctive categories, each created to offer a close connection with nature while maintaining modern comfort. Options range from The Whispering Brook, an earth-sheltered stay opening to sweeping river views, to The Cascade Private Pool Cottages, where warm lights glow through surrounding forest greens. Guests can also choose Silver Spring Pool Access rooms with direct pool entry, or the TwinLeaf Pool Cottage, ideal for families and groups seeking private poolside stays.
Dining is a key highlight at the property. A signature restaurant set beside a legacy old banyan tree offers relaxed open-air dining, while a stylish café and bar caters to casual indulgence. Adding to the experience is a boho-inspired pool bar overlooking the river, creating a lively yet laid-back setting for evenings with handcrafted cocktails. For events and celebrations, the resort offers two indoor banquet halls, a poolside lawn, and a large river-facing lawn designed for weddings, social gatherings, and grand occasions.
One of the resort’s most anticipated features is its upcoming exclusive river canopies, positioned right in the middle of the flowing river. These private spaces promise a rare stay experience, surrounded by panoramic views and the calming sound of water, making them truly one of a kind in the region.
Recreation is equally well thought out, with facilities including pickleball courts, paddle courts, bowling alleys, and other activity zones. The mix of leisure, adventure, and social spaces allows guests to strike the right balance between relaxation and energy-filled experiences.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Ajay Badekar, Director of Stone Water by Zuper, said, "This is how dreams turn into reality. Stone Water Resort & Spa is a sanctuary of peace and serenity where guests can create their own moments rather than wait for someone else to make them. This is where nature and design co-exist in absolute harmony & it is not just a destination, but an experience designed to be cherished for a lifetime."
The property is managed by Zuper Hotels & Resorts, a well-known name in Maharashtra’s resort and boutique hospitality space. With over 14 years of experience, Zuper manages premium properties across the state and plays an active role in weddings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations.
With its layered pools, river-centric design, luxury stays, and vibrant lifestyle offerings, Stone Water by Zuper marks a new chapter in experiential hospitality near Mumbai, offering guests an escape that feels immersive, refreshing, and memorable.
Suba Hotels Limited has announced the addition of three new properties under its popular Click Hotels brand. The newly signed hotels will be located in Hyderabad, Ujjain, and Visakhapatnam. With these signings, the company now manages a total of 35 hotels under the Click Hotels portfolio.
Sharing his thoughts on the expansion, Managing Director Mansur Mehta said, "Our brand Click Hotels has been gaining a lot of popularity and acceptance with both guests and owners. We are extremely happy with the response, and the entire team at Suba Hotels will strive hard to ensure that the Click Hotels brand receives more recognition and accolades from everyone."
Commenting on the milestone, CEO Mubeen Mehta congratulated the team and said, "I congratulate the entire team on such a wonderful achievement. It truly shows the utmost commitment of the team. Such results are possible due to dedicated teamwork." He further added that this growth reflects the steady and fast-paced expansion of the Suba Group.
Providing more details about the newly signed properties, VP Operations Abinash Ashok said, "The Click Hotel, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, is a 48-room property and is being developed in association with Multiverse Hotels. The Click Hotel, Ujjain, comprises 53 rooms, and The Click Hotel, Visakhapatnam, is a 32-room hotel developed in association with Abhiram Hotels & Resorts and Indus Group."
Suba Hotels is among India’s largest and fastest-growing domestic hotel chains in the mid-market space. The company operates across upscale, upper midscale, midscale, and economy segments. With a strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, Suba Hotels continues to grow through smart market strategies, an asset-light approach, and a focus on delivering quality guest experiences at accessible price points.
Published on February 24, 2026
United Hospitality Management (UHM), a global leader in luxury and mixeduse hospitality management, has entered into a franchise agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts for Garner Bhidawi. This signing forms a key part of UHM’s ambi;ous growth plans in India and follows its recent acquisition of the boutique brand Rosastays.
United Hospitality Management – India will manage the 45-key hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2027. The property, to developed by Modest Structures Private Limited, will offer modern rooms suited for both short and extended stays, focusing on delivering quality hospitality at an accessible price point. With this addition, Garner Bhidawi becomes the fourth Garner brand property in India. Garner is a midscale conversion brand that prioritises comfort and meaningful experiences.
UHM formally entered the Indian market in Q4 2025 through the acquisition of Rosastays. This move significantly strengthened the group’s footprint in the country, adding 17 opera;onal proper;es across key leisure destinations including Goa, Kasauli, Nainital, Pushkar, and Shimla.
Commenting on the development, Deepika Arora, Managing Director, United Hospitality Management – India, said:
“Our focus in India is on building a diversified and future-ready hospitality portfolio through strategic partnerships and disciplined management. The addi;on of Garner Bhiwadi strengthens our presence in emerging industrial and business corridors, while allowing us to apply United Hospitality Management's opera;onal exper;se to a format that delivers strong owner returns and consistent guest experiences.
As we expand following our entry into the Indian market, we are selectively identifying locations where professional management, global brand systems and local market understanding can collectively unlock long-term value. Garner Bhiwadi reflects this approach and reinforces our commitment to scaling thoughtfully across key growth markets.”
With more than 30 years of exper;se and over USD 1 billion in assets under management, UHM oversees a growing global portfolio across Europe and the Middle East. Its portfolio includes partnerships with global brands such as Marriott, Accor, Hyatt, and Wyndham, along with its own lifestyle ecosystem featuring over 20 specialty food and beverage brands and the award-winning wellness brand, ‘Serenity – The Art of Well Being’.
IHG’s newest midscale conversion brand, Garner, builds on the group’s leadership in the midscale segment. It offers quality stays at an accessible price point, designed around relaxed and flexible experiences. Garner is aimed at value-conscious travellers who priori;se comfort and meaningful experiences, supported by IHG’s global enterprise systems and rewards programme.
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