What Union Budget 2026–27 Means for India’s Hospitality and Tourism Sector

What Union Budget 2026–27 Means for India’s Hospitality and Tourism Sector

By Hariharan U

Published on February 2, 2026

Union Budget 2026–27: Focus on Tourism, Skills and Destination Development

Presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a Yuva Shakti-driven roadmap anchored on economic growth, capacity building and inclusive development. From a hospitality and tourism perspective, the Budget places emphasis on skilling, infrastructure-led connectivity, destination creation and medical tourism, positioning travel and tourism as contributors to employment generation and regional development.

National Institute of Hospitality and Structured Upskilling of Tourist Guides

A key announcement for the hospitality sector is the proposal to establish a National Institute of Hospitality by upgrading the existing National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology. The institute will function as a bridge between academia, industry and government, aimed at strengthening hospitality education, improving training standards and enhancing industry readiness.

In addition, the Budget proposes a pilot scheme to upskill 10,000 tourist guides across 20 tourist sites through a standardized, high-quality 12-week training programme delivered in hybrid mode. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with an Indian Institute of Management, with a focus on improving visitor experience and professionalising guide services at key destinations.

Tourism Destination Development in Purvodaya and North-East

To support regional tourism growth, the Budget proposes the creation of five tourism destinations across the five Purvodaya States. Additionally, a Scheme for Development of Buddhist Circuits has been announced for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. The scheme will cover preservation of temples and monasteries, development of pilgrimage interpretation centres, improved connectivity and enhanced pilgrim amenities.

Medical and Wellness Tourism Push

Strengthening India’s position as a medical tourism hub, the Budget proposes support for States to establish five Regional Medical Hubs in partnership with the private sector. These integrated healthcare complexes will include medical, educational and research facilities, AYUSH centres, Medical Value Tourism Facilitation Centres, and infrastructure for diagnostics, post-care and rehabilitation.

Infrastructure, Connectivity and City Economic Regions

Public capital expenditure has been increased to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY 2026–27, reinforcing the government’s infrastructure-led growth approach. As part of this push, seven high-speed rail corridors will be developed as growth connectors to promote environmentally sustainable passenger systems, improving inter-city travel and tourism mobility.

The Budget also proposes mapping and development of City Economic Regions (CERs), with an allocation of ₹5,000 crore per region over five years. These regions are expected to leverage agglomeration benefits, supporting urban growth, business travel, conventions and hospitality-led mixed-use developments.

Support for MSMEs, Ease of Doing Business and Logistics Reforms

Recognising MSMEs as a key engine of growth, the Budget proposes a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to create future champions. This initiative is relevant for small and mid-sized hotels, restaurants, travel companies and tourism startups seeking access to capital and opportunities for scale.

The Budget also outlines multiple trade facilitation measures, including a single interconnected digital window for cargo clearance approvals and a shift to an operator-centric customs warehousing framework with self-declarations, electronic tracking and risk-based audits. These reforms are expected to benefit hospitality supply chains, food and beverage imports and event logistics.

Travel and Passenger Experience Measures

To ease travel-related costs, the Budget reduces TCS on overseas tour programme packages to 2 percent, from the earlier 5 percent and 20 percent slabs. In addition, baggage clearance provisions are proposed to be revised to enhance duty-free allowances in line with present-day travel realities, improving the overall international travel experience.

Sustainability and Green Mobility

High-speed rail corridors and investments in sustainable transport systems underline the Budget’s emphasis on environmentally responsible mobility. Improved connectivity is expected to support tourism dispersal, short-haul travel and the growth of emerging destinations.

Overall Outlook

With a combination of skilling initiatives, destination-focused development, infrastructure expansion and targeted tax reliefs, the Union Budget 2026–27 sets the foundation for experience-led tourism growth. The measures signal long-term intent to strengthen India’s hospitality ecosystem while supporting employment, regional inclusion and improved visitor experiences.


Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Espire Hospitality Limited has reported its highest-ever financial performance for FY 2026, delivering strong growth across revenue, EBITDA, and profitability, driven by robust demand across leisure, spiritual, and business travel segments.

For FY 2026, the company posted revenue of ₹14,106 lakhs, marking a 17% increase over the previous year. EBITDA stood at ₹3,190 lakhs, reflecting a 38% growth, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) was ₹1,157 lakhs and Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at ₹812 lakhs.

The company also recorded its strongest quarterly performance in Q4 FY26, with revenue of ₹4,873 lakhs, up 19% year-on-year, and EBITDA of ₹1,096 lakhs, growing 34% over the same period last year. PBT for the quarter stood at ₹436 lakhs, while PAT came in at ₹422 lakhs.

Operationally, Espire Hospitality continued to outperform industry benchmarks. The company reported an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of ₹10,827 compared to the industry average of ₹8,792, and a RevPAR of ₹6,317 versus the industry average of ₹5,745, highlighting its strong pricing power and yield optimization strategy.

During Q4 FY26, the company added six new properties, contributing nearly 250 keys to its portfolio and strengthening its presence across leisure, pilgrimage, and business destinations in India.

A key highlight of the year was the commencement of an ultra-luxury resort project near Vrindavan, with an estimated investment of around ₹300 crore. The property will be operated by Marriott International under the JW Marriott brand, further strengthening the company’s luxury hospitality portfolio.

Espire Hospitality continues to operate across multiple brand segments, including Six Senses Fort Barwara in the ultra-luxury space, ZANA Luxury Escapes in boutique luxury, and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts in the midscale category. The diversified portfolio enables the company to serve multiple customer segments across India’s growing travel market.

The company also outlined a strong development pipeline, with plans to add over 1,000 keys annually over the next three years. Upcoming projects span key destinations including Bengaluru, Mussoorie, Gurugram, Goa, Jaipur, Varanasi, and several spiritual and leisure hubs.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director & CEO Akhil Arora said FY26 marked a landmark year for the company, driven by record financial results, portfolio expansion, and operational excellence. He highlighted that Espire Hospitality is building a diversified platform across luxury, upscale, midscale, leisure, and spiritual travel segments.

He further added that the company is actively pursuing expansion across major business hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Noida, while also strengthening its presence in spiritual destinations like Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, as well as leisure destinations including Goa, Darjeeling, and Ooty.

With strong financial performance, an expanding portfolio, and a robust development pipeline, Espire Hospitality enters FY 2027 with significant growth momentum and a clear focus on scaling its presence across India’s hospitality landscape.


Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Omaxe, one of India’s leading real estate developers, has announced its entry into the hospitality sector with the launch of a dedicated business vertical. The company plans to invest approximately ₹6,200 crore over the next 4–5 years to develop 19 hotels across five states, spanning nearly 5 million sq. ft.

The hospitality portfolio will be developed across high-growth urban centres, pilgrimage destinations, and transit corridors, and will be integrated with Omaxe’s existing townships, mixed-use developments, and commercial projects. The expansion is expected to strengthen the company’s recurring revenue stream while enhancing its integrated development strategy.

Out of the planned 19 hotels, 12 will be located in Uttar Pradesh across cities including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Kaushambi, and Vrindavan. Additional projects are planned in New Delhi, Faridabad, and Ujjain, along with four hotels across Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. Overall, Omaxe will establish a presence across 13 cities in five states.

A key highlight of the portfolio is a 158-key Gateway Hotel by IHCL at The Omaxe State in Dwarka, New Delhi. The project is being developed as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The company is also developing transit-oriented hospitality infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with UPSRTC.

Speaking on the expansion, Mohit Goel, Managing Director of Omaxe Ltd., said hospitality is a natural extension of the company’s integrated development strategy. He noted that rising connectivity, religious tourism, and growing travel demand across emerging markets are driving the need for quality hospitality infrastructure.

The planned portfolio will cater to multiple segments including business travel, leisure tourism, destination weddings, MICE activities, and religious tourism. It will include midscale, upscale, luxury hotels, pilgrimage properties, and serviced apartments tailored to local demand dynamics.

Omaxe stated that the hospitality business has the potential to generate approximately ₹1,000 crore in annual revenue once stabilized, subject to execution, occupancy levels, and market conditions. The company is also in advanced discussions with leading hospitality operators for branding and management partnerships.

With this move, Omaxe joins a growing list of real estate developers diversifying into hospitality to leverage integrated urban ecosystems and rising tourism demand across India


Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on June 21, 2026

Papa Johns India marked Father’s Day with a unique and interactive celebration, hosting a special pizza-making experience for fathers and their children at its Hennur and Kasturi Nagar outlets in Bengaluru on June 21, 2026.

Designed to encourage meaningful family bonding, the event brought together registered father-child duos for a hands-on culinary session where participants created their own pizzas under the guidance of Papa Johns chefs. The initiative aimed to transform a traditional dining experience into an engaging activity centred around togetherness and shared memories.

During the event, participants wore branded aprons and caps while learning the art of pizza-making from scratch. The experience also featured Father’s Day-themed games, instant photography sessions, Polaroid keepsakes, and interactive activities designed to make the celebration memorable for families.

Commenting on the initiative, Prashant Mehta, Director of Papa Johns India, said the brand views Father’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate family connections and create meaningful experiences beyond dining. He noted that the event was designed to bring families together through teamwork, creativity, and shared moments in the kitchen.

The sessions concluded with pizza tasting, trivia activities, and group photographs, allowing participants to enjoy the creations they made together.

Through this experience-led activation, Papa Johns India continues to strengthen customer engagement while showcasing the craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and preparation techniques that define its pizzas. The initiative reflects the brand’s growing focus on creating memorable in-store experiences that connect customers with the food and the people they share it with.

Operated in India by PJP Foods India Private Limited under the Ambrosia QSR platform, Papa Johns India continues to expand its presence through dine-in, takeaway, and delivery formats while staying true to its global promise of “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”

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