Union Budget 2024: Kochi tourism sector pins hopes on policy initiatives to boost tourism in Kerala

People in the tourism sector in the picturesque city of Kochi, Kerala, are expecting a rationalization of GST slabs -- a demand echoed by tourism industry stakeholders across the country. Also on their wish list for the Union Budget, which will be presented on Tuesday, are expectations for increased investments in tourism projects, improvements in connectivity, and measures to control inflation. Tour operators in Kochi also have local concerns on their minds, separate from their expectations from the Union Budget, hoping that the state government will address them. Senior officials from the state's Medical Tourism Forum believe that Kerala has the potential to emerge as a major medical tourism destination if the government introduces measures such as establishing a specialised department for this sector. The first Budget of the new NDA government will be tabled on Tuesday by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which will also be her seventh consecutive Budget.