Budget 2026 Signals New Growth Phase for Indian Tourism

Budget 2026 Signals New Growth Phase for Indian Tourism

By Author

Published on February 3, 2026

The Union Budget 2026 has drawn strong reactions from leaders across hospitality, tourism, real estate and allied sectors, with a common emphasis on skill development, destination-led growth and improved regional connectivity as critical levers for India’s next tourism expansion phase.

Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India (organisers of SATTE), highlighted the Budget’s long-term approach to strengthening tourism fundamentals.

"The Union Budget 2026 lays out a forward-looking roadmap with a clear focus on infrastructure, economic growth, and better regional connectivity. One of the standout announcements for the sector is the plan to set up a National Institute of Hospitality, a move that could really strengthen India's tourism and hospitality ecosystem in a meaningful way. By bringing academia, industry, and government onto the same platform, the institute has the potential to create a skilled workforce that matches the evolving expectations of both domestic and international travellers. For hospitality businesses, this could mean higher service standards, smoother operations, and a more reliable long-term talent pipeline. In the bigger picture, initiatives like this tend to build investor confidence, encourage the development of new hotels, resorts, and tourism infrastructure, and further support India's positioning as a global travel destination. While the industry was also hoping for wider policy measures to make investments easier and simplify operations, this strong push toward skill development still sets a solid foundation for more structured, long-term growth in tourism and hospitality."

A key Budget theme has been the structured development of 50 destinations in partnership with states, supported by enhanced connectivity to regions such as Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. This, industry leaders note, signals a deliberate effort to decentralise tourism demand beyond saturated metros and established leisure hubs.

Nandini Taneja, Chief Executive Officer, Bhumika Enterprises, sees the Budget as particularly relevant for emerging cities and inclusive growth.

"The proposal to establish a National Institute of Hospitality is a timely step for India's hospitality sector, especially in Tier-2 cities emerging as key travel and business hubs. By bridging academia, industry, and government, the institute can help create a skilled local workforce — critical for the growth of hotels and tourism-led developments. Equally encouraging is the Budget's push for women-led entrepreneurship through community-owned SHE-Marts, which will give SHG-linked women structured retail access and a pathway to enterprise ownership. This strengthens grassroots economic participation while supporting more inclusive local economies."

She added that,

"Together, stronger talent pipelines and inclusive economic initiatives will enhance service standards, improve operational efficiency, and boost investor confidence, accelerating hospitality-led growth in emerging cities and preparing them for rising domestic and international tourism demand."

Framing the Budget through a market-expansion lens, Ambika Saxena, CEO, TWH Hospitality, emphasised tourism’s elevation as a core economic driver.

"The Budget signals a clear shift in positioning tourism as a core economic growth driver rather than a peripheral sector. The structured development of destinations, along with improved connectivity, will expand India's viable hospitality markets beyond established hubs. With stronger destination infrastructure and a more robust talent pipeline, the industry gains better long-term demand visibility, investment confidence, and the ability to scale sustainably."

From a broader travel and enterprise perspective, Mr. Aditya Pande, Group Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Enterprises, welcomed the Budget’s alignment with long-term national goals.

"The Union Budget outlines a strong, forward-looking roadmap toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047. We welcome the government's continued focus on strengthening India's travel, tourism, and hospitality ecosystem through improved connectivity, accessibility, and destination infrastructure. The emphasis on skill development, heritage, and ecotourism reflects a deep understanding of the sector's economic potential. These measures will boost demand, support local economies, and strengthen India's position as a global hub for high-quality hospitality and travel."

Beyond hospitality, the Budget’s ripple effects are also being felt in retail and lifestyle sectors. Abhinav Kumar pointed to the alignment between manufacturing, logistics and brand-led growth.

"The Union Budget 2026-27 lays out a forward-looking path for India's retail and fashion ecosystem, reinforcing domestic manufacturing, innovation and brand competitiveness. Initiatives like the integrated textile programme, mega textile parks, MSME support and improved logistics create a stronger, more resilient supply chain for domestic and global brands in our portfolio. By fostering expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, enabling digital and financial infrastructure and supporting high-quality production, the Budget provides the roadmap for Brand Concepts to scale efficiently, innovate responsibly and strengthen India's position as a hub for future-ready fashion and lifestyle businesses"

Taken together, industry reactions suggest that while stakeholders were hoping for deeper policy simplification and faster investment clearances, the Budget’s focus on skills, destination development and connectivity lays a credible foundation for decentralised, sustainable growth across India’s tourism and hospitality landscape.


Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Espire Hospitality Limited has reported its highest-ever financial performance for FY 2026, delivering strong growth across revenue, EBITDA, and profitability, driven by robust demand across leisure, spiritual, and business travel segments.

For FY 2026, the company posted revenue of ₹14,106 lakhs, marking a 17% increase over the previous year. EBITDA stood at ₹3,190 lakhs, reflecting a 38% growth, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) was ₹1,157 lakhs and Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at ₹812 lakhs.

The company also recorded its strongest quarterly performance in Q4 FY26, with revenue of ₹4,873 lakhs, up 19% year-on-year, and EBITDA of ₹1,096 lakhs, growing 34% over the same period last year. PBT for the quarter stood at ₹436 lakhs, while PAT came in at ₹422 lakhs.

Operationally, Espire Hospitality continued to outperform industry benchmarks. The company reported an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of ₹10,827 compared to the industry average of ₹8,792, and a RevPAR of ₹6,317 versus the industry average of ₹5,745, highlighting its strong pricing power and yield optimization strategy.

During Q4 FY26, the company added six new properties, contributing nearly 250 keys to its portfolio and strengthening its presence across leisure, pilgrimage, and business destinations in India.

A key highlight of the year was the commencement of an ultra-luxury resort project near Vrindavan, with an estimated investment of around ₹300 crore. The property will be operated by Marriott International under the JW Marriott brand, further strengthening the company’s luxury hospitality portfolio.

Espire Hospitality continues to operate across multiple brand segments, including Six Senses Fort Barwara in the ultra-luxury space, ZANA Luxury Escapes in boutique luxury, and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts in the midscale category. The diversified portfolio enables the company to serve multiple customer segments across India’s growing travel market.

The company also outlined a strong development pipeline, with plans to add over 1,000 keys annually over the next three years. Upcoming projects span key destinations including Bengaluru, Mussoorie, Gurugram, Goa, Jaipur, Varanasi, and several spiritual and leisure hubs.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director & CEO Akhil Arora said FY26 marked a landmark year for the company, driven by record financial results, portfolio expansion, and operational excellence. He highlighted that Espire Hospitality is building a diversified platform across luxury, upscale, midscale, leisure, and spiritual travel segments.

He further added that the company is actively pursuing expansion across major business hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Noida, while also strengthening its presence in spiritual destinations like Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, as well as leisure destinations including Goa, Darjeeling, and Ooty.

With strong financial performance, an expanding portfolio, and a robust development pipeline, Espire Hospitality enters FY 2027 with significant growth momentum and a clear focus on scaling its presence across India’s hospitality landscape.


Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Omaxe, one of India’s leading real estate developers, has announced its entry into the hospitality sector with the launch of a dedicated business vertical. The company plans to invest approximately ₹6,200 crore over the next 4–5 years to develop 19 hotels across five states, spanning nearly 5 million sq. ft.

The hospitality portfolio will be developed across high-growth urban centres, pilgrimage destinations, and transit corridors, and will be integrated with Omaxe’s existing townships, mixed-use developments, and commercial projects. The expansion is expected to strengthen the company’s recurring revenue stream while enhancing its integrated development strategy.

Out of the planned 19 hotels, 12 will be located in Uttar Pradesh across cities including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Kaushambi, and Vrindavan. Additional projects are planned in New Delhi, Faridabad, and Ujjain, along with four hotels across Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. Overall, Omaxe will establish a presence across 13 cities in five states.

A key highlight of the portfolio is a 158-key Gateway Hotel by IHCL at The Omaxe State in Dwarka, New Delhi. The project is being developed as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The company is also developing transit-oriented hospitality infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with UPSRTC.

Speaking on the expansion, Mohit Goel, Managing Director of Omaxe Ltd., said hospitality is a natural extension of the company’s integrated development strategy. He noted that rising connectivity, religious tourism, and growing travel demand across emerging markets are driving the need for quality hospitality infrastructure.

The planned portfolio will cater to multiple segments including business travel, leisure tourism, destination weddings, MICE activities, and religious tourism. It will include midscale, upscale, luxury hotels, pilgrimage properties, and serviced apartments tailored to local demand dynamics.

Omaxe stated that the hospitality business has the potential to generate approximately ₹1,000 crore in annual revenue once stabilized, subject to execution, occupancy levels, and market conditions. The company is also in advanced discussions with leading hospitality operators for branding and management partnerships.

With this move, Omaxe joins a growing list of real estate developers diversifying into hospitality to leverage integrated urban ecosystems and rising tourism demand across India


Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on June 21, 2026

Papa Johns India marked Father’s Day with a unique and interactive celebration, hosting a special pizza-making experience for fathers and their children at its Hennur and Kasturi Nagar outlets in Bengaluru on June 21, 2026.

Designed to encourage meaningful family bonding, the event brought together registered father-child duos for a hands-on culinary session where participants created their own pizzas under the guidance of Papa Johns chefs. The initiative aimed to transform a traditional dining experience into an engaging activity centred around togetherness and shared memories.

During the event, participants wore branded aprons and caps while learning the art of pizza-making from scratch. The experience also featured Father’s Day-themed games, instant photography sessions, Polaroid keepsakes, and interactive activities designed to make the celebration memorable for families.

Commenting on the initiative, Prashant Mehta, Director of Papa Johns India, said the brand views Father’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate family connections and create meaningful experiences beyond dining. He noted that the event was designed to bring families together through teamwork, creativity, and shared moments in the kitchen.

The sessions concluded with pizza tasting, trivia activities, and group photographs, allowing participants to enjoy the creations they made together.

Through this experience-led activation, Papa Johns India continues to strengthen customer engagement while showcasing the craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and preparation techniques that define its pizzas. The initiative reflects the brand’s growing focus on creating memorable in-store experiences that connect customers with the food and the people they share it with.

Operated in India by PJP Foods India Private Limited under the Ambrosia QSR platform, Papa Johns India continues to expand its presence through dine-in, takeaway, and delivery formats while staying true to its global promise of “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”

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