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.


juSTa Hotels & Resorts Launches Boutique Wildlife Retreat in Jawai

juSTa Hotels & Resorts Launches Boutique Wildlife Retreat in Jawai

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 8, 2026

Onora Hospitality, the parent company of boutique hospitality brand juSTa Hotels & Resorts, has announced the launch of juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai, a boutique wildlife retreat located in the heart of Jawai’s renowned leopard country near Udaipur and Jodhpur.

Situated in Village Bijapur, the newly opened resort offers a tranquil and immersive escape that reflects the rugged beauty, distinctive wildlife, and rich cultural heritage of the Jawai region. Spread across two and a half acres, juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai features 18 thoughtfully designed accommodations, including suites with heated plunge pools, each created to balance modern comfort with a deep connection to nature.

All rooms are equipped with premium amenities such as climate-controlled air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen smart televisions, mini-bars, tea and coffee makers, electronic safes, quality linen, workspaces, wardrobes, telephones, and round-the-clock power backup. Select accommodations also feature private plunge pools, open-air showers, bathtubs, private gardens, and spacious sit-out areas.

Commenting on the launch, Ashish Vohra, Founder and CEO of Onora Hospitality Private Limited, said, “The growing popularity of Jawai as a wildlife and experiential travel destination presents a meaningful opportunity for us to introduce our signature style of intimate, design-led hospitality. With juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai, we aim to create an immersive retreat that blends comfort with adventure while celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the region. This launch also strengthens our expanding presence in India’s national parks, where we already operate boutique resorts in Sariska and Jim Corbett under the juSTa brand and in Ranthambore under Bookmark Resorts.”

The resort offers a curated range of lifestyle and wellness experiences, including a swimming pool, a multicuisine restaurant with indoor dining and an intimate al fresco space, a 1,500-square-foot banquet hall, and a spa with two treatment rooms and a steam bath. Guests can also enjoy indoor and outdoor recreational activities such as carrom, foosball, badminton, and cricket.

Easily accessible by road from both Jodhpur and Udaipur, juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai serves as a convenient base for exploring the region’s key attractions. These include the Jawai Dam, Ranakpur Jain Temple, Pola Lake, guided jungle safaris, and exceptional birdwatching opportunities that have established Jawai as one of India’s most distinctive wildlife destinations.

Known for its dramatic granite hills and its rare culture of harmonious coexistence between humans and leopards, Jawai continues to gain recognition among nature lovers and experiential travellers alike. The opening of juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai marks a significant milestone in Onora Hospitality’s journey to create soulful, experience-led stays across India’s most inspiring landscapes.


Brij Hotels Expands Portfolio with New Coastal Property in Sindhudurg

Brij Hotels Expands Portfolio with New Coastal Property in Sindhudurg

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 8, 2026

Brij Hotels has announced the signing of a new coastal resort in Sindhudurg, marking the brand’s thoughtful expansion into one of India’s most untouched and evocative shorelines. Located just north of Goa, the upcoming property reflects Brij’s continued focus on destinations that offer privacy, authenticity, and a deep sense of place.

The resort is strategically positioned a short drive from MOPA International Airport and just 15 minutes from Sindhudurg Airport, ensuring easy access while remaining beautifully secluded. Set along a pristine white-sand beach, Brij Sindhudurg will feature private beachfront villas designed to blend seclusion with the effortless rhythm of slow luxury.

Guests will be able to step directly onto the sand from their villas and experience the coastline through carefully curated, nature-led activities. These include early-morning dolphin sightings, guided snorkelling in clear coastal waters, and quiet water-based journeys that highlight the region’s rich marine life.

Evenings at the resort will unfold with intimate beachside dining experiences, where locally inspired coastal delicacies are prepared simply and enjoyed against the sound of the waves. Cultural encounters will form a key part of the stay, bringing Sindhudurg’s soul to life through interactions with local communities, regional storytelling, and traditions deeply rooted in the Konkan way of life.

Intimate in scale and soulful in design, Brij Sindhudurg promises a rare and romantic escape that remains closely connected to its surroundings and the unspoilt charm of the region.

Commenting on the signing, Udit Kumar, Co-Founder of Brij Hotels, said, “Sindhudurg represents everything Brij stands for today, quiet luxury, privacy, and a sense of discovery. This is a coastline that has remained beautifully untouched, and our intent is to preserve that essence while creating a deeply romantic and immersive retreat. With Brij Sindhudurg, we’re not just adding a destination, but opening a new chapter in how luxury coastal travel is experienced in India.”

The signing reinforces Brij Hotels’ strategy of expanding into raw, aspirational, and largely undiscovered destinations, offering guests rare access to landscapes untouched by mass tourism while delivering understated luxury and meaningful travel experiences.


Palma Beach Resort Opens on the Quiet Shores of Ashwem, Goa

Palma Beach Resort Opens on the Quiet Shores of Ashwem, Goa

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 8, 2026

Palma Beach Resort has opened along the tranquil shoreline of Ashwem Beach, bringing a thoughtfully designed boutique hideaway to one of Goa’s most peaceful coastal stretches. Rooted in a natural and minimal aesthetic, the resort draws inspiration from its lush surroundings and the gentle rhythm of the sea, offering guests a calm space to slow down and reconnect.

Set amid swaying palm trees and open skies, Palma reflects a quieter side of Goa where days unfold at an unhurried pace. From mornings that begin with the sound of waves to evenings softened by sea-lit sunsets, the resort encourages mindful living built around ease, comfort, and connection with nature.

Ashwem Beach holds a special place in Goa’s coastal story. Once an untouched stretch of sand known only to those seeking solitude, the area has evolved over time while retaining its peaceful essence. Guided by this spirit, the founders designed Palma with deep respect for the land, shaping the resort around the existing landscape rather than altering it.

Rows of palm trees mark the entrance to Palma, leading guests through shaded pathways, quiet corners, and welcoming spaces that naturally invite relaxation. The resort offers four categories of rooms and private cottages, each created with warm textures, soft colour palettes, and ample natural light. With the beach just steps away, guests can enjoy uninterrupted quietude in spaces that feel personal and inviting.

Every element of the resort reflects Goa’s timeless coastal character. The design philosophy remains focused on simplicity, comfort, and harmony with nature, allowing the surroundings to take centre stage.

“Palma comes from our long-standing love for Ashwem. Our intention was always to let Goa be simply the way it is, natural, unhurried, and deeply connected to its landscape. We hope every design choice, every flavour, and every experience here reflects that simplicity and soul,” said Nirvane Jain, Brand Director and Partner, Palma Beach Resort.

Adding to the experience is Ashwe 351, the resort’s in-house restaurant set along the shore. Led by chefs Sumera and James, whose combined culinary journeys span India and international kitchens, the restaurant brings together regional favourites and coastal classics with thoughtful execution. The menu flows effortlessly across North and South Indian staples, Goan-inspired dishes, and select global influences, offering flavours that feel both familiar and comforting.

With its focus on nature-led design, warm hospitality, and soulful dining, Palma Beach Resort adds a serene new address to Goa’s evolving hospitality landscape while staying true to the calm spirit of Ashwem.

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