Hill Tourism Disappointed: Budget Focuses on Char Dham, Neglects Nainital, Mussoorie

• Uttarakhand tourism and business sectors express mixed reactions to the latest budget, with disappointment over unfulfilled expectations for hill tourism.
• Nainital Hotel Association President Digvijay Singh Bisht notes positive steps for trekking trails but questions the budget's impact on Uttarakhand's tourism-dependent economy.
• Local businessman Sanjay Nagpal criticizes the government's limited focus on Char Dham, neglecting British-era destinations like Nainital and Mussoorie.
• Amandeep Singh Anand of Tallital Vyapar Mandal finds the budget satisfactory, praising provisions for transport and connectivity, crucial for Uttarakhand.
• Hotelier Ruchir Sah expresses disappointment over the lack of a concrete policy to boost domestic and foreign tourism, especially with declining foreign tourist arrivals since 2019.

Why It Matters: The budget largely overlooked the specific needs of hill tourism, focusing instead on Char Dham, disappointing stakeholders.