HRAO Chairman Welcomes Budget Tourism Incentives

HRAO Chairman J K Mohanty Welcomes Budget Incentives for Tourism Growth in India
Bhubaneswar: Chairman of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO), J K Mohanty, welcomed the Union Budget 2025, praising the government’s initiatives aimed at boosting India’s tourism industry.
Mohanty lauded the various incentives announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, particularly the provision of long-term loans for developing tourism infrastructure in rural areas. He described it as a “commendable step” that would encourage greater focus on rural tourism, which is expected to enhance the sector’s growth.
One of the most significant announcements was the development of the top 50 tourist destinations in India in partnership with state governments through a challenge mode. The budget also highlighted that states would be responsible for providing land for critical infrastructure development, with hotels in these destinations included under the infrastructure HML.
Mohanty welcomed these initiatives, which also include the development of 120 destinations under the Udaan scheme, the introduction of 400 new Vande Bharat Express trains, and the introduction of e-visa on arrival for select destinations. He emphasized that such measures will help position India as a top global tourist destination.
Additionally, the government’s plans to invest heavily in airways, railways, and waterways are expected to facilitate easier access to various tourist locations across the country, helping to increase the number of domestic tourists.
However, Mohanty expressed concern that the budget did not provide specific measures to boost foreign tourist arrivals. He pointed out that several foreign tourist centers have been shut down abroad, and the budget allocation for promoting tourism in foreign markets has been reduced, which he believes may impact efforts to attract international tourists.