Ajay Kumar Shukla, Kushinagar. The Union Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has raised new hopes for the tourism industry of Kushinagar, the site of Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. Many important announcements have been made in the budget, describing tourism as the main pillar of “employment-based development”, which will have a direct positive impact on the local business of Kushinagar.

The budget talks about promoting Buddhist circuits and connectivity. Special attention has been given to spiritual and cultural tourism. Provision of additional funds has been made especially for the development of sites related to the life of Lord Buddha.

This budget has brought joy to the faces of local hotels and travel agents amid the possibility of starting direct flights to Bangkok from February 2026 from Kushinagar International Airport. Along with this, skill development of guides has also been talked about.

A pilot scheme has been started to train 10,000 guides at 20 prestigious tourist destinations of the country with the help of IIM. In such a situation, considering the historical and religious importance of Kushinagar, the way for the youth here to become world class guides will open by joining this scheme.

The budget talks about providing financial assistance to the states to promote hotels and infrastructure. This will accelerate the construction of new luxury hotels and home-stays in Kushinagar.

Importantly, increasing the Mudra credit limit in the tourism sector and supporting small entrepreneurs will provide a global platform to local handicrafts and “one district one product” artisans.

Hotel business and tourism experts believe that international flights and training of guides will increase the number of foreign tourists. This will strengthen not only the hotel business but also transportation, restaurants and local markets.