Union Budget 2025 | Heal in India: Booster dose for medical tourism

Bengaluru: The Ministry of Tourism received a slightly higher allocation of Rs 2,541 crore for 2025 compared to the previous Budget, showcasing the government’s increasing priority in tourism development and promoting India as a premier global travel destination.

The top 50 tourist destination sites in the country will be developed in partnership with states through a challenge mode, said Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget presentation.

States will be providing land for building key infrastructure.

With a change in classification, hotels in these destinations will be included in the infrastructure higher minimum limit (HML).

With the government’s continuous push on upskilling, the FM proposed organising skill-development programmes for youth, including in Institutes of Hospitality Management.

Second, she announced that Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) loans for homestays would be extended.

Streamlining e-visa facilities along with visa-fee waivers for certain (unspecified) tourist groups, were also announced.

With a decentralisation push in the current Budget, she also announced providing performance-linked incentives (PLIs) to states for destination management including tourist amenities, cleanliness, and marketing efforts.

In the backdrop of India’s religious tourism boom, FM Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated, “Continuing with the emphasis on places of spiritual and religious significance in the July Budget, there will be a special focus on destinations related to the life and times of Lord Buddha."

Another prominent theme will be “Heal in India”, or medical tourism, which will be promoted in partnership with the private sector along with building capacity.

Besides new greenfield airports announced in Bihar, the government, under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, will focus on improving regional air connectivity to benefit travellers from tier-II and tier-III cities, highlighting a focus on hilly and Northeast region districts.

Union Budget 2025 | Nirmala Sitharaman, who continues to be Finance Minister, is presenting her record 8th Union Budget this time. While inflation has burnt a hole in the pockets of 'aam janata', reports suggest there might be a tax relief for those making up to Rs 15 lakh per year. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analysis only on Deccan Herald. Also follow us on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.