The recent GST rationalisation is being hailed as a positive move across the food & beverage, hospitality, and FMCG sectors, promising easier operations, reduced compliance costs, and growth opportunities.

Mr. Simranjeet Singh, Director, CYK Hospitalities, said, “The GST rationalisation represents an uplifting change for startups and emerging F&B brands, making operations simpler. Previously, multiple tax slabs made it difficult for young entrepreneurs to set transparent pricing, stay compliant, and remain competitive with cost-conscious consumers. Now, with just two slabs—5% for essentials and 18% for other products—startups can clearly plan product mix and expansion. Lower-slab products encourage demand for QSRs, cloud kitchens, and packaged foods, while premium offerings remain on the higher slab. The reform empowers the ecosystem with creativity, credibility, and new growth avenues for both emerging and established players”.

Mr. Sanjay Jain, Director, ElanPro, added, “GST rationalisation is a welcome step that will boost consumption and investment across sectors. In hospitality, room tariffs below Rs. 1,000 are now tax-free, mid-range hotels at Rs. 1,001–7,500 are taxed at 5%, and even premium hotels above Rs. 7,500 have dropped from 28% to 18%. This is likely to drive higher occupancy and create demand for kitchen upgrades and modern refrigeration. Restaurants and catering operations also benefit, with GST reduced to 5% for non-AC outlets under Rs. 50 lakh turnover, air-conditioned restaurants, and outdoor catering services. Lower costs allow operators to invest in food safety, storage, and quality”.

He further noted that FMCG and dairy companies will gain from relief on essentials like UHT milk, paneer, and cheese, enabling stronger cold storage and refrigerated logistics. Additionally, renewable energy devices now taxed at 5% make solar-powered cold storage more viable. Jain observed that while some effects may be indirect or medium-term, these reforms are a strong catalyst for India’s commercial refrigeration industry, supporting faster and broader cold chain adoption.

The consensus among industry leaders is clear, GST rationalisation not only simplifies compliance but also strengthens India’s F&B, hospitality, and FMCG ecosystem, fostering innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.

Hospitality professionals across India have welcomed the Indian Government’s new GST revenue reforms, viewing the move as a progressive step that will benefit both businesses and customers. The reforms are expected to simplify taxation, create a more transparent system, and improve compliance across the sector.

Mr. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD, Cygnett Hotels and Resorts says

"The GST overhaul marks a turning point for India's hospitality sector. By reducing GST on hotel stays under ₹7,500 to 5%, the government has effectively democratised travel. This will boost domestic tourism, encourage corporate travel to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and improve occupancy for mid-scale hotels, which form the backbone of our industry. However, luxury hotels remain at 18%, which keeps India aligned with global practices, where premium stays are taxed at a higher rate. The challenge will be balancing this benefit with the loss of input tax credit (ITC), which could compress margins for some operators. Overall, the move signals a clear policy direction, making travel more affordable and inclusive, while still protecting the exclusivity of luxury experiences."

Mr. Sumit Mitruka, CEO and founder, Summit Hotels & Resorts shares that, "The reforms announced at the 56th GST Council are far more than a matter of taxation; they represent a structural reset in the way India approaches housing, travel, and consumption. By placing mid-scale hotel accommodation within the 5% bracket, the government has significantly broadened affordability in domestic tourism, ensuring that demand in emerging destinations can flourish. At the same time, the simplification of GST for residential real estate,  through reduced construction costs and clearer slab structures, is poised to stimulate housing supply and bolster confidence, particularly across tier-II and tier-III cities.

Hospitality and real estate are inextricably linked: affordable housing underpins urban growth, whilst accessible travel fuels mobility and commerce. A streamlined GST regime allows these sectors to reinforce one another, creating a powerful multiplier effect on employment, consumption, and investment. The task before industry leaders now is to harness these efficiencies and translate them into greater value not only for guests and homeowners, but for the wider economy."

Rasmi Ranjan, Director of Operations, Monday Hotels shares that, "This is a fantastic step. It's a win-win situation where guests get more value for their money, and we can attract a larger number of travelers. The lower GST will make a significant difference for people planning trips, especially in the budget and mid-market segments. At Monday Hotels, we're excited about this move as it allows us to offer even more affordable and memorable experiences to our guests, reinforcing our commitment to delivering value without compromising on comfort and service."

Mr. Ritwik Khare, Founder & CEO of ELIVAAS says “The government’s decision to revise GST into a simplified two-slab structure is a very welcome move for the hospitality industry. By reducing tariffs up to ₹7,500 to 5%, the reform eliminates the earlier complexity of multiple brackets and creates a transparent and guest-friendly ecosystem. The current reduction in GST for hotels and flights will also make premium hospitality more accessible to a larger section of society, strengthening India’s competitiveness as a tourism destination. We truly appreciate the structured clarity brought in by the government through this reform.

From a tourism standpoint, India has fantastic offerings, and this step will not only boost domestic and inbound travel but also unlock the sector’s wider economic potential. Tourism already contributes nearly 5% to India’s GDP, and with continued reforms and the rise of new formats, it has the potential to cross 6% in the coming years. The industry also holds immense potential for large-scale job creation and revenue generation. Importantly, new segments like villas, apartments and suites are emerging as powerful drivers of this growth, creating fresh revenue pools and employment opportunities deep inside India, beyond the traditional hotel hubs.

At ELIVAAS, our focus on villas, apartments and suites is aligned with this evolving demand, catering to travellers who value privacy, comfort, and curated experiences. With a simplified GST framework, the guest journey becomes smoother, encouraging greater adoption of such premium yet accessible travel formats.”

The initiative reflects the government’s focus on improving the ease of doing business while supporting industries that significantly contribute to employment and economic growth, which is also favourable for the hospitality industry.

Skyscanner has named Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as ‘SKY’, as its first brand ambassador in India. This marks the company’s most significant consumer outreach initiative in the Indian market so far.

The partnership builds on the rising trend of sport-led travel in the country, with research showing that nearly half of Indian travellers are willing to travel specifically to watch live cricket. By joining hands with a cricketer of Yadav’s popularity and cultural influence, Skyscanner aims to strengthen its presence among Indian travellers and inspire them to explore new destinations with ease.

Known as ‘Mr. 360’ for his versatile cricketing style, Yadav will now extend his influence off the field by encouraging travellers to experience the joy of discovery with Skyscanner. The collaboration begins with a digital contest on Skyscanner India’s and Yadav’s social media channels, where fans can create personalised travel itineraries for the cricketer using Skyscanner’s features. Selected winners will get the chance to meet Yadav in person, offering unique engagement opportunities between the brand and its community.

Speaking about the partnership, Suryakumar Yadav said: “Travel has always been something that excites me as much as cricket,  whether it is exploring new places during tours or discovering hidden gems on break. Partnering with Skyscanner feels natural because it’s about making travel simple, smart, and full of possibilities. I’m looking forward to inspiring more fans to combine their love for cricket with the joy of discovering the world.”

Neel Ghose, Country Manager & General Manager, Travel Expert, Skyscanner, India, added: “We are really excited to welcome SKY to the Skyscanner family. His connection with people across India makes him the perfect partner to help us show travellers just how simple, affordable and joyful planning a trip with Skyscanner can be. With him alongside, we aim to make travel not just more accessible, but a source of inspiration and connection for every Indian traveller. Last year, we inaugurated our first office in India and today marks yet another special occasion with SKY as the face of our brand.”

Through this collaboration, Skyscanner hopes to encourage Indian travellers to see travel as both accessible and aspirational, combining their love for cricket with the excitement of exploring new places.