The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Jammu and Kashmir Chapter, acknowledges the Union Budget 2025-26 with a blend of optimism and ongoing concerns, said Sameer Ahmad Baktoo, Chairman of TAAI’s Jammu and Kashmir Chapter. We appreciate the government’s initiative to raise the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) threshold from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh, providing some relief to our members. However, challenges related to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and TCS persist, impacting the operational efficiency of travel agencies, Baktoo noted.
We are encouraged by the budget’s focus on tourism infrastructure development, with ₹1,900 crore allocated to this sector, Baktoo highlighted. This investment opens opportunities for projects such as installing new gondola cable cars in destinations like Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, and Pahalgam. Additionally, we anticipate the development of new tourist destinations, emphasizing sustainable and responsible tourism practices to preserve our region’s natural beauty, he added.
Despite these positive steps, the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir continues to await the conferment of full industrial status, a measure that remains pending, Baktoo pointed out. Granting this status would provide much-needed incentives and support for the industry’s growth.
While the overall budget allocation for Jammu and Kashmir has decreased slightly to ₹41,000.07 crore from the previous year’s ₹42,277.74 crore, we remain optimistic that the government will prioritize the sustainable development of our region, enhancing its appeal as a premier tourist destination, Baktoo expressed.
We look forward to collaborative efforts with the government to implement these initiatives effectively, ensuring that Jammu and Kashmir continues to thrive as a beacon of tourism in India, Baktoo concluded.
