50 top tourism sites to be developed in partnership with states, Mudra loans for home stays

Budget 2025 focuses on tourism.

The government plans to develop 50 top tourist destinations in partnerships with states,  finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on February 1 in her Budget speech.

The land for building key infrastructure will have to be provided by the states. Hotels in these destinations will be included in the infrastructure harmonised list.

Continuing with emphasis on religious tourism, there will be special focus on destinations related to Lord Buddha, Sitharaman said.

Sitharaman also announced the following measures to facilitate employment in the hospitality industry:

Organising intensive skill development programme for youth, including institutes of hospitality management.

Mudra loans for home stays.

Improving ease of travel and connectivity to tourist destinations.

Providing performance-linked incentives to states for effective destination management including tourist amenities, cleanliness and marketing efforts.

Introducing streamlined e-visa facilities along with visa fee waivers for certain tourist destinations.

Continuing with emphasis on religious tourism in the July budget there will be special focus on destinations related to lord buddha, Sitharaman said.