India, Feb. 3 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, February 1 with some major takeaways for the tourism and hospitality sector. The first point to note in this regard however, is the difference in budget allocation across 2025 and 2026. While this year's allotment for the tourism sector stands at Rs.2,438 crores, the same for the previous year's (Union Budget 2025-26) stood at Rs.2,541.06 crores - though it had been later revised to Rs.1,310.30 crores.

This year around, a heightened emphasis on cultural heritage is rather evident in the Budget. The plans to develop 15 archaeological sites including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur and Leh Palace into mo...