Shimla, Feb. 2 -- Tourism stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh have welcomed the Union Budget's emphasis on improving rail connectivity to hill states, saying it could significantly boost tourist inflow, but expressed disappointment over the absence of specific incentives for investment in the tourism industry.

Speaking to ANI in Shimla on Sunday, Mahendra Seth, President of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Stakeholders Union and Shimla Hotel Association, said the budget has highlighted plans to expand railway connectivity in hill states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which could prove to be a major boost for tourism.

"One important aspect of the Union Budget is the focus on increasing rail connectivity, especially for hill states like ...