India will undertake infrastructure and port connectivity projects in its islands, including Lakshadweep, to address the emerging fervour for domestic tourism, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her Interim Budget speech in Parliament on Thursday.
India Tourism Industry Budget Increased By 2 %
Increasing the budget estimate for the tourism industry by over 2 percent from the last budget, the minister said the states will be encouraged to take up comprehensive development of iconic tourist centers, branding and marketing them at a global scale. The central government will provide long-term interest-free loans to the states to finance this development.
Will Develop Many Sectors In These Places
Sitaraman said, “To address the emerging fervor for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities will be taken up on our islands, including Lakshadweep. This will help in generating employment also.”
The finance minister said, “States will be encouraged to take up comprehensive development of iconic tourist centers, branding and marketing them at a global scale.”
India Has a Lot of Potential In Tourism.
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Sitaraman said,” The success of organising G20 meetings in sixty places presented a diversity of India to a global audience. Our economic strength has made the country an attractive destination for business and conference tourism. Our middle class also now aspires to travel and explore. Tourism, including spiritual tourism, has tremendous opportunities for local entrepreneurship.”
Consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations of Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), Aashish Gupta, said, “It is hoped that the actual budget in July will take forward the statement of intent announced in the interim budget.