MAM
From temples to tourist hubs: Interim budget ushers in travel renaissance
Mumbai: Diving into the interim budget, the tourism sector emerges as a key player, echoing the government’s strategic focus on boosting growth and employment. Industry experts share insights on the budget’s impact, ranging from temple tourism subsidies to transformative infrastructure plans.
The budget unfolds as a roadmap, signaling substantial developments in air and rail connectivity, iconic tourist spots, and initiatives to tackle over-tourism, promising a dynamic landscape for the tourism industry’s resurgence.
The following are the quotes:
Temple Connect and International Temple Convention and Expo ITCX founder Giresh Kulkarni
Reflecting on the activities of the International Temples Convention and Expo over the past year, which successfully brought together thousands of temples, fostering improvements in areas such as enhancement, beautification, surveillance, coordination, and an overall enhancement of pilgrim and devotee management systems, we present a noteworthy recommendation to the esteemed office of the Finance Minister. The comprehensive engagement with the temple ecosystem, encompassing industries related to temple devotion, spirituality, and cultural aspects, underscores the necessity for increased subsidy benefits.
As we approach the upcoming times, it becomes imperative to uplift existing temple infrastructure through diverse avenues. Notably, the influx of international travelers to India, seeking pilgrimage or visiting temple premises, significantly contributes to the local temple economy through substantial financial spending. Therefore, the current budget prominently emphasizes support for temple tourism, general tourism, and spiritual tourism. In this interim budget, we also advocate for the backing of both corridor-centric and non-corridor-centric temples through the Smart Temples Mission, initiated by Temple Connect.
Looking ahead, the International Temples Convention and Expo anticipate the participation of over 5000 temples under one roof, marking a significant step towards the Smart Temples Mission. This concerted effort is poised to have a profound impact on local economies, fostering entrepreneurship and benefiting sectors related to devotion and spirituality. Simultaneously, this initiative aims to transition commercially active taxpayers from the current non-tax-paying category to encouraging their participation in the tax-paying category, contributing to the economic growth of the temple ecosystem.
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd executive chairman Madhavan Menon
The interim budget presented by the finance minister has focussed on tourism with a multipronged approach that we believe will create a multiplier effect across aviation, tourism and allied sectors, boosting growth and employment generation.
We welcome the announcements on airport development and expansion: having already doubled to 149 airports in the last decade, the government’s plans to boost air connectivity by the addition of 517 new routes across Tier 2-3 cities, carrying 1.3 crore passengers via the UDAN scheme, will play a critical role with vibrant hub and spoke air corridors to boost accessibility-affordability for regional India.
Implementation of major rail connectivity corridors via the PM Gati Shakti program together with port and metro/rapid transport expansion will serve to create valuable multi-modal connectivity for tourism.
We welcome the special focus on domestic tourism which represents a vibrant growth driver via the government’s plan of long-term interest-free loans to states; development of iconic tourism centres by states along with marketing on global standards. What was noteworthy is the reference to Spiritual Tourism and projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure and amenities on islands including Lakshadweep – aimed at development of India’s hidden gems and employment opportunities.
Further, the strong capex outlay of Rs 11.11 lakh cr, a significant four per cent of our GDP, will serve as a catalyst to the Country’s growth potential and job creation.
SOTC Travel Ltd MD Vishal Suri
The interim budget presented by the finance minister has maintained status-quo on direct and indirect taxes thus keeping its impact neutral. The government has set focus on the overall travel and tourism sector via infrastructure development, green energy, sustainability and looked at diverse initiatives for domestic tourism via a strategic approach for each segment – aviation, ports (waterways) and rail to strengthen regional connectivity to tier 2 and 3 cities.
We welcome the development on the rapid expansion of air connectivity with the addition of 517 new routes across regional India’s tier 2 and 3 cities via the UDAN scheme – this will play a key role in strengthening accessibility.
The special focus on strengthening domestic tourism via implementation of rail connectivity corridors under the PM Gati Shakti initiative and upgrading 40,000 regular train boogies into high-speed Vande Bharat trains will definitely strengthen surface transportation.
The government’s plan on focus on spiritual tourism, development of iconic tourist spots and island destinations of India including Lakshadweep (projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities) will generate employment thus boosting India’s economy. What is noteworthy, is the government’s mindful move to form a panel to tackle challenges of higher population/over-tourism, especially in destinations with sensitive ecosystems.
E-Factor Experiences Ltd MD Samit Garg
The focus on tourism, including the development of iconic tourist centres and the promotion of the Blue Economy, can lead to more opportunities for cultural events, festivals, and experiential tourism initiatives. This could open new avenues for event managers to explore and innovate in thematic and destination events.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
