Union Budget 2026-27: Tourism Sector Gets Major Push with Employment, Heritage & Spiritual Tourism Focus

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The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has placed the tourism and hospitality sector at the centre of India’s economic strategy, underscoring its role in employment generation, cultural promotion and regional development.

Government announcements signal a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond traditional travel support to enhance service quality, diversify offerings and unlock India’s tourism potential across spiritual, heritage and nature-based segments.

Key highlights of the tourism push include:

  • A pilot scheme to upskill 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic destinations through a standardised, 12-week hybrid training programme developed with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), aimed at enhancing employability and visitor engagement.
  • A new scheme to develop Buddhist tourism circuits across the northeastern states — including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura — to strengthen spiritual tourism infrastructure and pilgrimage facilities.
  • Expansion of tourism infrastructure and experiences through the development of 15 archaeological and cultural sites into experiential destinations, and the integration of heritage preservation with modern interpretive facilities.
  • Initiatives such as the establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality by upgrading the existing National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology to build a stronger talent pipeline for the hospitality workforce.

Industry stakeholders have responded positively to the tourism focus, highlighting the importance of skills, connectivity and experience-led tourism for boosting both domestic and international visitor engagement.

The Budget’s tourism strategy also aligns with broader infrastructure expansions such as high-speed rail corridors and improved connectivity, seen as catalysts for enabling sustainable tourism growth and job creation across regions.

Overall, the 2026-27 Budget reflects the government’s intention to reposition tourism not just as a leisure activity but as a strategic economic engine capable of generating employment, supporting local economies and amplifying India’s cultural and spiritual heritage on a global stage.