Reacting to the Union Budget which has been announced today, Gajesh Girdhar, National Coordinator, NIMA, said, “We welcome some of the initiatives proposed in the Union Budget such as the government’s continuous focus on the development of domestic and inbound tourism, encouragement to the Indian cruise tourism industry by offering a simpler tax regime for foreign shipping companies looking to operate and lease the vessels in Indian waters. This is a significant move not only for domestic tourists but also to attract foreign tourists, who always look for new cruise destinations.”

Giving a further boost to religious tourism, the Finance Minister has emphasised developing new destinations in Gaya and Bodh Gaya. However, there is no mention of any specific concession on GST and TCS for Indian Outbound Travellers to the dismay of the Tour Operator Fraternity, Girdhar further said.