Budget 2018: What’s in for Tourism?

Photo Courtesy: Kerala Tourism

Ten million foreign tourists visited India in 2017. With more projects in the anvil, the country has potential to push it higher. However, the state tourism departments are looking at the budget allocations from the Central Government for the year 2018. Officials from the ministry hint that it is not going be an exciting budget for the tourism industry.

The safety and infrastructure of the industry are the sections which need immediate attention. A handful of projects are waiting for the fund allocation from the ministry. Tourism ministry has received Rs 1776 crore in 2017-18. This year, with the new proposed projects, the ministry is expecting an increase in the allocations.

Hospitality/Tourism sector needs skilled workers in all its fields. A major fund allocation is also expected towards skill development programmes. The new tourism circuit itself needs a fund allocation of Rs 5000 crore.