As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have shared their perspectives on key policy priorities for the travel and tourism sector. With tourism continuing to contribute significantly to economic growth, employment generation and regional development, the upcoming Budget is being viewed as an important opportunity to further strengthen the sector’s operating framework and long-term competitiveness.

Vishal Suri – Managing Director & CEO, SOTC Travel Limited, said:

“The Union Budget 2026 is a chance to strengthen India’s tourism foundations and accelerate growth. Our key recommendations are:

• GST Procedural Reforms: While GST 2.0 was a welcome and major reform, it had largely confined itself to rate rationalisation. It is now time to implement an option for Centralized Registration, seamless single returns and reporting across all states and procedural simplification to achieve a truly ‘Good and Simple Tax’ system.
• Flat 1% TCS: Replace the complex multi-tier structure with high tax rates (5%/20%) with a universal 1% rate. This ensures a clear audit trail of information to the tax department and enforcement authority, while avoiding needless cash/liquidity blockage at travellers’ end.
• Industry Status: Grant ‘Industry Status’ to the tourism sector to unlock its potential and facilitate growth.”

Mahesh Iyer – Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said:

“As India’s Travel & Tourism sector continues to drive economic growth, the Union Budget 2026 presents a key opportunity to unlock its full potential. Granting industry status would provide access to affordable financing, lower interest rates, and institutional credit—particularly for MSMEs that form the backbone of the sector.

• Investments in infrastructure across under-served regions, spiritual destinations, and Tier II/III cities -combined with a single-window clearance system for hospitality projects— will serve to accelerate development.
• To strengthen inbound tourism, policy support for niche segments such as medical, sustainable, and MICE tourism with focus on incentives and skill development programs; review of visa policies (faster e-visa processing, expanded e-visa categories, targeted visa-on-arrival schemes), and enhanced allocation for global marketing campaigns like Incredible India will be critical.
• Continued government support for digital public infrastructure and potential incentives for adopting new technologies like Al and blockchain in the travel & financial services to further improve operational efficiency and elevate the traveller experience.

The industry stands ready to partner with the government to make India a truly global tourism hub.”

Together, Thomas Cook India and SOTC reiterated that consistent policy support, procedural simplification and collaborative engagement between the government and industry will be essential to enable sustainable growth, enhance global competitiveness and strengthen India’s position as a leading tourism destination.