Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Lower GST rates on hotel accommodation of less than Rs 7500 per room night will make hotel stays more affordable for middle-class and budget travellers. This aligns India’s hospitality tax structure with international tourism destinations, becoming more attractive for foreign tourists.
Lower taxes are expected to boost weekend travel, pilgrimage circuits, heritage tourism, and eco-tourism. They will encourage investment in new mid-segment hotels, homestays, and guesthouses, creating jobs and improving infrastructure.
Tax reduction on buses (seating capacity of 10+ persons) from 28 per cent to 18 per cent cuts upfront cost of buses and minibuses, making them more accessible for fleet operators, schools, corporates, tour providers, and state transport undertakings.
This will help bring down ticket fares, especially in semi-urban and rural routes. It will also encourage a shift from private vehicles to shared / public transport, reducing congestion and pollution.
GST reduction on art and cultural goods, from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, will apply to statues, statuettes, original engravings, prints, lithographs, ornamental articles, stone art ware, and stone inlay work.
It will provide direct support to artisans, craftsmen, and sculptors, many of whom are part of India’s traditional cottage industries.