India’s budget provides a boost to tourism and airport retail, but no relief for airlines - yet

The first budget delivered by India's recently elected BJP government on 10-Jul-2014 included a number of measures that have been highly welcomed by the country's tourism industry including the planned introduction of electronic visas; the abolition of service tax on packages sold to foreign tourists; plans to invest in upgrading attractions of religious and cultural significance; the development of tourist trains connecting pilgrimage sites; and the construction of a major convention centre in Goa .

Although some of these announcements are long term objectives and will not have an immediate impact on visitor numbers, they nevertheless reflect the priority attached by the administration to tourism as a driver of economic growth and employment. Tourism is one of the five Ts which the Prime Minister had earlier announced as being the keys to enhancing India's global brand, with the others being Talent, Tradition, Technology and Trade.