Sharing his views on Union Budget 2026-2027, which was announced on 1st of February, Mr. Vinesh Gupta, General Manager of The Den Hotel, Bengaluru, highlighted the Budget’s focus on tourism, hospitality education, and emerging travel segments as a positive move for the industry.

He said, "The Union Budget 2026-2027, sends a positive signal in recognising tourism and hospitality as key drivers of employment and regional development. The move to elevate the National Council for Hotel Management into the National Institute of Hospitality is particularly encouraging, as it brings education closer to industry realities and evolving service expectations.

The emphasis on training 10,000 tourist guides, along with the introduction of the Digital Knowledge Grid, will strengthen destination storytelling and enrich how travellers experience India. Improved regional and transport connectivity will further enhance access to destinations and enable more balanced travel patterns.

Support for emerging segments such as medical tourism and astro-tourism is a timely step that can attract high-value, longer-stay guests, while the reduction in TCS on foreign tour packages is a welcome measure likely to boost travel sentiment and discretionary spending.

From our perspective at The Den, Bengaluru, these initiatives lay the groundwork for a more resilient hospitality ecosystem, one that stimulates demand while strengthening talent, service quality, and overall guest experience. Continued collaboration between policymakers and the industry will be essential to sustaining this momentum."

Industry stakeholders believe that the Budget’s combined focus on education, connectivity, destination development and new tourism segments will play a crucial role in strengthening India’s hospitality ecosystem in the years ahead.