Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh Union Budget in the parliament today. For the Tourism Sector, the FM made some significant announcements, with a big push towards spiritual tourism in India. She highlighted the “efforts to position India as a global destination” and also mentioned development projects in different destinations during the Union Budget 2024 speech. Read on to know more about these projects and developments.
Vishnupad Temple & Mahabodhi Temples To Be Developed As Tourists Centres
Spiritual tourism has been a big focus of the Union Budget 2024. There has been a special focus on Bihar and Odisha tourism during the budget announcements. For Bihar, FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced the development of the Vishnupad Temple and Mahabodhi Temple corridors into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations. She mentioned that these developments will be along the lines of the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor in Varanasi.
Furthermore, she mentioned that comprehensive development plans are underway for Rajgir. Also, there are plans to turn Nalanda into a tourist Centre and revive Nalanda University to its glorious stature. Along with this, the FM announced a significant infrastructure boost for the state with new airports to improve connectivity.
Special Boost For Tourism In Odisha In Union Budget 2024
While addressing the parliament during Union Budget 2024, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Tourism has always been a part of our civilisation. Our efforts to position India as a global destination will also create jobs and unlock opportunities in other sectors.” With this, she went on to talk about Odisha and how the government will support tourism in the state and assist in maintaining the “scenic beauty, temples, craftsmanship, natural landscapes, wildlife sanctuaries and pristine beaches” of the state.
As per the Economic Times, Budget 2024 for tourism will help create jobs, stimulate investments, and unlock significant economic opportunities in the country. The FM also wishes to promote cruise tourism in India. For this, she announced tax relief benefits for cruise operators. She further mentioned that the government will introduce a simpler tax regime for foreign cruise companies to boost tourism.
These are some highlights for the Tourism Sector in the Union Budget 2024. Let us know your thoughts about this in the comments section.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & X/@PIB_India
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