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.


Imagicaa Invites Couples to Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend with Thrills and Romance

Imagicaa Invites Couples to Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend with Thrills and Romance

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 4, 2026

This Valentine’s season, Imagicaa Theme Park offers couples a refreshing way to celebrate love, where romance blends seamlessly with thrill and entertainment. From 13th to 15th February 2026, the park transforms into a vibrant destination designed for couples seeking memorable experiences filled with excitement, fun, and togetherness.

Set against the backdrop of high-energy rides, themed attractions, and lively entertainment, couples can rediscover their playful side as they explore the park together. Beautifully designed photo spots across Imagicaa provide the perfect setting to capture special moments, making the celebration both immersive and memorable.

As the day moves into evening, the atmosphere turns more intimate with specially curated candle-lit dining experiences near the Lagoon Area. Soft music and ambient lighting create a romantic setting where couples can unwind before concluding the night with Imagicaa’s spectacular musical fountain show, adding a magical finale to the celebration.

To make planning seamless, Imagicaa has introduced exclusive Valentine’s packages for couples. The Couple Package is available for two, includes theme park access, a romantic candle-lit dinner, two glasses of wine or mocktails, a photo souvenir, and a gift voucher. The package offers a complete day of adventure and romance within a single destination.

For couples looking to extend their celebration into a short getaway, Imagicaa’s Tent Camping experience is available at special price per couple. This experience includes theme park tickets, a one-night and two-day tent stay with water bottles, a romantic candle-lit dinner with wine or mocktails, and breakfast the following morning. With check-in on 14th February and check-out on 15th February, the experience combines comfort, adventure, and romance under the stars.

With its unique mix of thrilling rides, entertainment, dining experiences, and romantic settings, Imagicaa presents couples with an opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a shared adventure, creating moments filled with laughter, excitement, and lasting memories.

Event Details

  • Offer: Valentine’s Weekend Filled with Thrills

    • The Couple Package, available with special price for two from 13th to 15th February 2026

    • Tent Camping, available with a special price per couple on 14th February 2026 | 1 Night / 2 Days

  • Where: Imagicaa Theme Park, 30/31 Sangdewadi, Khopoli-Pali Road, Near Lonavala, Khalapur, 410203, Maharashtra, India.

  • When: 13 to 15 February, 2025.


ELIVAAS Crosses 620 Villas, Targets Portfolio Expansion in 2026

ELIVAAS Crosses 620 Villas, Targets Portfolio Expansion in 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 4, 2026

Luxury villa hospitality platform ELIVAAS has scaled its operational portfolio to approximately 620 villas within two years of launch, positioning itself among the fastest-growing organised players in India’s villa hospitality segment.

Since its inception, ELIVAAS has hosted over 3 lakh guests, with guest volumes growing 2.7 times between December 2023 and December 2025. This growth has been largely driven by increasing demand for group travel, private celebrations, and corporate offsites, as travellers seek exclusive and experience-led accommodation formats.

Despite rapid expansion, ELIVAAS has maintained stable operational performance. Around 95 percent of guest stays have received five-star ratings, reflecting consistency across service delivery, property management, and overall guest experience. The company attributes this performance to a balanced approach towards scaling supply while strengthening operational processes.

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Commenting on the growth journey, Ritwik Khare, Founder and CEO, ELIVAAS, said, “Scaling supply without compromising operations is the biggest challenge in villa hospitality. For a sustainable business, the three wheels of supply, demand, and guest experience and operations have to scale at the same pace. Guest feedback at this level gives us confidence as we move into the next phase of growth.”

ELIVAAS currently has a strong presence across North and West India, which continue to account for the majority of bookings. Alongside geographical expansion, the platform has focused on enhancing experience-led offerings across its portfolio. Most villas support services such as private chefs, spa treatments, customised décor, live entertainment, and concierge-led experiences, catering to leisure travellers as well as event-led stays.

Looking ahead, ELIVAAS plans to more than double its portfolio to over 1,200 villas in 2026. The expansion will be supported by sustained demand and deeper penetration across key leisure destinations and event-driven markets, reinforcing the brand’s long-term growth strategy in India’s evolving luxury hospitality landscape.


Union Budget 2026 Sparks Mixed Reactions Across Hospitality and Allied Sectors

Union Budget 2026 Sparks Mixed Reactions Across Hospitality and Allied Sectors

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 4, 2026

The Union Budget 2026-27 has drawn varied responses from hospitality professionals and industry leaders, reflecting a balance between short-term operational challenges and long-term structural benefits. While the Budget signals continued support for infrastructure and domestic value chains, experts note that certain cost-related measures may impact pricing and margins within the hospitality ecosystem.

Anuj Mittal, Founder of Paprika Park, described the Budget as having a mixed impact on the food and beverage sector. He noted that select duty reductions could support domestic production and processing, while other measures may increase operating costs for eateries and cafes.

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“Indian Union Budget 2026-27 had a mixed impact on the food & beverage (F&B) sector: some production inputs and processing equipment became cheaper due to duty reductions (e.g., seafood processing inputs and microwave parts), supporting domestic value chains, while costs rose for others most notably commercial LPG for kitchens and imported coffee machines now facing higher duties which could push up prices for cafes and eateries. The Budget also continues to support broader agri-food infrastructure and supply-chain improvements, benefiting long-term F&B competitiveness.”

From a manufacturing and allied industry perspective, Suraj Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer at HNGIL, highlighted the positive implications of tariff rationalisation for India’s glass manufacturing sector, especially in the export market.

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“This tariff cut from 50% to 18% is a game-changer for India's glass manufacturing sector, particularly for container glass exports to the US, where demand in food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics packaging is robust. It levels the playing field against subsidized imports from other countries like China, potentially increasing our export volumes by 20-30% in the coming years.”

He further added that the move could encourage capacity utilisation, sustainable investments, and job creation across manufacturing hubs, aligning with India’s broader export ambitions.

Taken together, the reactions suggest that while hospitality and allied sectors may face selective cost pressures in the near term, the Union Budget 2026-27 lays the groundwork for long-term competitiveness, stronger supply chains, and global market integration. The coming months will reveal how businesses adapt these policy signals into growth strategies.

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