Hospitality Leaders Applaud Union Budget 2025's Boost for Tourism & Innovation

Hospitality Leaders Applaud Union Budget 2025's Boost for Tourism & Innovation

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 5, 2025

The Union Budget 2025 has set the stage for significant advancements in India's hospitality and tourism sectors. Industry leaders have expressed optimism about the budget’s strategic focus on tourism infrastructure, enhanced connectivity, and skill development initiatives that are expected to elevate India's global standing as a prime travel destination.

Strengthening Tourism & Hospitality Infrastructure

Mr. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD of Cygnett Hotels and Resorts, welcomed the government’s emphasis on tourism, particularly the development of 50 key destinations under challenge mode. He highlighted how initiatives such as streamlined e-visas and visa-free access for select tourist groups will boost international footfall. He also appreciated the inclusion of new hotels in these destinations in the Infrastructure Harmonized List (HML), allowing hospitality investors to access infrastructure lending under more favorable terms.

“The move to include new hotels in the HML will provide easier access to larger funds through External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs), enabling greater expansion and modernization in the hospitality sector,” said Mr. Sarkar.

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Additionally, he noted the positive impact of the government's modified UDAN scheme, which aims to strengthen connectivity to 120 new destinations, particularly focusing on the northeastern region’s helipad development. The enhanced connectivity will unlock untapped tourism potential, further promoting India’s cultural and historical sites.

Hospitality Industry’s Growth Prospects

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. K Syama Raju, President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), emphasized the budget’s role in developing top tourism destinations in partnership with state governments. He lauded the decision to grant Infrastructure Status to hotels in these areas, which will facilitate long-term, cost-effective financing and improve hospitality standards.

“The inclusion of hotels in the harmonious master list aligns with our long-standing request for Infrastructure Status, allowing access to lower-cost funding for hospitality expansion,” said Mr. Raju.

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Another major highlight was the focus on medical and wellness tourism through the 'Heal-in-India' initiative. With India already being a global leader in affordable, high-quality medical treatments, this initiative is set to attract more international patients, strengthening the country’s healthcare tourism sector.

The government’s focus on religious tourism was also well received. Enhancing infrastructure at key pilgrimage sites is expected to create more organized and accessible travel experiences for both domestic and international visitors. Additionally, the visa fee waivers and simplified e-visa options will further support inbound tourism growth.

Support for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Innovation and entrepreneurship were also key focus areas in the budget, receiving praise from Mr. Sanandan Sudhir, Founder and CEO of On2Cook. He highlighted the government’s Rs 20,000 crore allocation to promote innovation and the introduction of a fund of funds for next-generation entrepreneurs as pivotal measures for fostering global capabilities in India.

“We appreciate the introduction of the National Framework for promoting innovation in tier 2 cities and the proposal for Centres of Excellence in AI for Education. These initiatives, coupled with the Bharat Trade Net platform to enhance international trade, will play a crucial role in positioning India as a global innovation hub,” said Mr. Sudhir.

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However, he also urged the government to reconsider the current tax regime and introduce lower GST rates for sustainable, globally patented products. He further suggested subsidizing international certification costs to ease export market entry for startups.

The Road Ahead

Overall, the Union Budget 2025 has been met with enthusiasm from the hospitality and innovation sectors. With targeted infrastructure investments, enhanced connectivity, and policy support for tourism and entrepreneurship, industry leaders believe these measures will position India as a premier global destination for travelers, businesses, and investors alike.


Bhumika Realty Onboards Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh as Brand Ambassadors

Bhumika Realty Onboards Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh as Brand Ambassadors

By Hariharan U

Published on April 4, 2026

Strengthening its brand presence and market positioning, Bhumika Realty has announced the onboarding of Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh as its official brand ambassadors.

The association comes as part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance brand credibility while expanding its footprint across North India’s key real estate markets. It reflects Bhumika Realty’s continued focus on delivering projects rooted in design precision, quality craftsmanship, and global standards, while engaging with a wider and more diverse audience.

Rohit Sharma, widely recognised for his consistency, leadership, and performance on the field, brings a strong alignment with the company’s brand values. Complementing this, Ritika Sajdeh adds a nuanced perspective through her experience in brand building and consumer engagement, strengthening the partnership’s overall positioning.

Commenting on the association, Uddhav Poddar said, “We are delighted to welcome Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh to the Bhumika Realty family. This association reflects the direction in which we are taking the brand as we scale our operations across key markets. The alignment of discipline, consistency, and long-term focus resonates strongly with our brand philosophy.”

Sharing their thoughts on the collaboration, Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh said, “For us, it’s always about consistency, discipline, and contributing to a larger vision. We are pleased to associate with Bhumika Realty; the company’s strong leadership vision and focus on execution make this collaboration both meaningful and well-aligned.”

The announcement comes at a time when Bhumika Realty is actively advancing its growth trajectory, particularly across the NCR region. The company is strengthening its presence through strategic land acquisitions and a focused long-term vision to expand across Delhi-NCR with thoughtfully planned developments.

Among its key assets, Bhumika Realty has delivered and operates Urban Square Mall in Udaipur, one of the city’s largest retail destinations anchored by a premium hotel chain. Its development pipeline includes a mixed land-use project in Faridabad, a commercial project in Gurugram, and upcoming integrated township plans across Sonipat, Meerut, and Vrindavan.

Beyond real estate, the company is also expanding into transit-oriented infrastructure, including opportunities at metro stations, as well as hospitality assets such as hotels in strategic locations. This diversified approach highlights Bhumika Realty’s intent to build long-term value while strengthening its position across multiple segments.

With this collaboration, the brand aims to further connect with consumers while reinforcing its identity as a developer focused on consistency, scale, and execution.


Tides of Time Brings Parliament Murals to Life Through Sudha Murty’s Lens

Tides of Time Brings Parliament Murals to Life Through Sudha Murty’s Lens

By Hariharan U

Published on April 4, 2026

A unique perspective on Bharat’s cultural and historical journey comes alive with the release of Tides of Time: Bharat's History Through Murals in Parliament, authored by Sudha Murty. The book was unveiled in New Delhi by the Hon. Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, in the presence of Om Birla, Harivansh, and other Members of Parliament.

At the launch, Sudha Murty expressed her vision for the book, saying, “It is my hope that through this book, future generations will also get to enjoy the richness of this culture that I have known.” In her dedication, she honours the people of Bharat across centuries, as well as the soldiers safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.

Tides of Time draws from one of humanity’s oldest storytelling traditions, murals. From the prehistoric cave paintings of Bhimbetka Rock Shelters to the intricate artworks of Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, India’s visual narratives have long preserved its civilisational memory.

This artistic continuum finds a modern expression in the murals of Sansad Bhavan, where 58 panels line the circular corridors of the Parliament building. Commissioned in 1954 by G. V. Mavalankar, these murals depict a sweeping timeline of Bharat’s history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation at Mohenjo-daro to the moment of Independence marked by the flag hoisting at the Red Fort in 1947.

The architectural inspiration of the Parliament building itself echoes the Chausath Yogini Temple, a thousand-year-old circular structure, reinforcing the sense of continuity between past and present.

The idea for the book emerged during a visit to the Samvidhan Sadan, where Sudha Murty noticed students briefly observing the murals without fully understanding their depth. Recognising the need for accessible storytelling, she set out to document the historical context behind each panel, transforming the experience into a narrative journey.

More than a historical account, the book stands as a tribute to the artists and curators who brought these stories to life. It reflects the enduring values of Bharatiya Sanskriti, shaped by tolerance, patience, and compassion, while inviting readers to engage more deeply with the nation’s heritage.


Fixderma Calls Out “2-Minute Skincare” Claims with a Bold April Fool’s Message

Fixderma Calls Out “2-Minute Skincare” Claims with a Bold April Fool’s Message

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 4, 2026

In a world where skincare trends promise “overnight glass skin” and “Korean skin in 7 days,” Fixderma is taking a refreshingly honest stand this April Fool’s Day. With a witty yet thought-provoking campaign, the brand questions the growing obsession with instant results and quick fixes.

Drawing a clever comparison with 2-minute noodles, Fixderma highlights how unrealistic these viral claims have become. The campaign playfully asks a simple question: since when did skincare start working at Wi-Fi speed? The message is clear, good skin cannot be rushed.

Shaily Mehrotra, Founder & CEO of Fixderma, addresses this trend directly. “Skincare today is being sold like instant gratification. But your skin is not a 2-minute recipe. Claims like overnight ‘Korean skin’ are not just misleading, they set unrealistic expectations and often lead to product hopping and skin damage.”

Through this campaign, the brand focuses on educating consumers while cutting through the noise of exaggerated marketing. It reinforces a simple truth that often gets overlooked, skin needs time, care, and consistency. Healing does not happen overnight, and active ingredients take weeks to show visible results.

Fixderma’s message is rooted in dermatological science and years of formulation expertise. Whether it’s managing acne, improving skin texture, or achieving long-term radiance, the brand emphasizes that meaningful results come from patience and the right skincare routine, not viral shortcuts.

At a time when social media trends dominate buying decisions, this April Fool’s initiative stands out for its honesty. It encourages consumers to think twice before believing claims that sound too good to be true.

With this campaign, Fixderma continues its larger mission of building an informed skincare community, one that values science over speed, and real results over fleeting trends.

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