Budget 2024: “The government should also consult with the leading voices in sustainable tourism,” says Founder and CEO of Postcard Travel Club, Amit Jaipuria

On July 23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will unveil the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament, an event eagerly anticipated by a diverse array of stakeholders. This budget is expected to address the aspirations and needs of common taxpayers, investors, various industries, farmers, women, and key sectors such as FMCG, real estate, and technology. Leaders in the hospitality sector, in particular, are watching closely, hopeful for policies that will promote

sustainable tourism

and drive economic growth.

Amit Jaipuria

, Founder and CEO of

Postcard Travel Club

, has shared his expectations from the upcoming budget, emphasizing the importance of making sustainable tourism a national priority. He stated, "The

government

’s intention to make sustainable tourism a national priority for revenue and employment in its third term is a great signal for the travel industry. Policy incentives for making tourism more sustainable should be put in place, and the use of storytelling to showcase regions and cultures should be further emphasized."

He highlighted the need for the government to

consult

with leading voices in sustainable tourism for infrastructure development that respects the environment and empowers local communities. "The government should also consult with the leading voices in sustainable tourism such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Transformational Travel Council, The Long Run, and Rare India for infrastructure development that respects the environment and empowers local communities," Amit Jaipuria added.

One of the key measures Amit Jaipuria advocates for is providing tax relief and subsidies to properties following sustainable practices. He believes this will create a conducive environment for responsible properties to emerge in India, promoting inbound tourism. "The government can also subsidize tax and offer tax relief to properties following sustainable practices. This can create a conducive environment for more responsible properties to come up in India and promote inbound tourism," Jaipuria concluded.