Budget 2026: Tourism Sector Demands GST Relief, Infrastructure Status, Policy Support

• India's tourism sector seeks structural reforms in Budget 2026, including infrastructure status, GST rationalisation, and easier finance for MSMEs.
• The sector contributed Rs 15.73 lakh crore (5.22% of GDP) in 2023-24 and generated 36.90 million direct jobs, highlighting its economic importance.
• Industry leaders like Hari Ganapathy, Vishal Suri, and Mahesh Iyer emphasize the need for simplified taxation, better financing models, and sustained investment.
• Key demands include industry status for tourism, GST procedural reforms (centralized registration, 1% TCS), and targeted infrastructure development in underserved regions.
• Budget 2025-26 allocated Rs 2,541.06 crore to tourism, focusing on infrastructure, skill enhancement, and developing 50 tourist destinations.

Why It Matters: The tourism sector eyes Budget 2026 for critical reforms like GST relief and infrastructure status to boost growth.