New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Union Budget 2026-27, announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure, skill development, and heritage conservation across the country, highlighting the sector's potential to generate employment, earn foreign exchange, and expand local economies.

As per the Budget proposal, a National Institute of Hospitality will be established to act as a bridge between academia, industry, and the government, with the objective of improving professional standards and workforce readiness in the hospitality sector.

Sitharaman said that as part of capacity-building measures, a pilot programme will be launched to upskill 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic ...