Budget 2026: Tourism Gets Massive Boost with Rail Corridors, New Hospitality Institute

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Varanasi, and Siliguri.
• A pilot scheme will upskill 10,000 guides at 20 iconic tourist sites with 12-week hybrid training in collaboration with IIMs.
• The existing National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology will be upgraded to a National Institute of Hospitality.
• 15 archaeological sites, including Lothal and Dholavira, will be developed, alongside a 'National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid' for digital documentation.
• New initiatives include ecologically sustainable hiking trails, tourism boost for Purvodaya and North-Eastern states, and a renewed policy push for seaplanes.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 significantly boosts tourism infrastructure, skill development, and connectivity across India.