Budget 2020-21 disappointing for tourism industry: Expert

Tourism expert Subhash Goyal said Union Budget for FY 2021-22 is disappointing for the tourism industry and the government failed to revive the shrinking industry and save 30-40 million jobs at stake.

New Delhi: The much-anticipated Union Budget 2021-22 presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman failed to cheer the tourism industry, people involved in the business said on Monday. Experts and stakeholders, in conversation with ETV, said that the incumbent government didn't do much to revive the industry and job losses that happened during the coronavirus-triggered lockdown

Subhash Goyal, Tourism expert and general secretary of Federation of Association in Indian Tourism and Hospitality, said, "Tourism industry is totally disappointed with this Union budget. We had a lot of expectations from the government as this was a great opportunity for the government to revive the tourism industry and save at least 30-40 million jobs which are at stake. Unfortunately, there has been no direct mention of tourism."

"The 35,000 crore on COVID-19 vaccine may help medical tourism. The tourism industry may benefit indirectly due to investment on road, railways and privatisation of ports," he added.

Subhash Goyal said that we have been hearing about privatisation of Air India for the last so many years but unless there is a deadline, this may not happen. Notably, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the budget on Monday, said that all disinvestments announced so far will be completed in FY22 which includes that of Life Insurance Corporation Initial Public Offering, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Pawan Hans and Air India.