Jaipur: Though disappointed at having no direct project announced for the state in the Union Budget, the industry in the state said that the focus on tourism is itself a positive for Rajasthan, which has a clear edge to leverage the national schemes. With its rich cultural heritage, iconic forts, palaces, and spiritual sites, the state is well positioned to gain from the new schemes focused on skilling, infrastructure, and digital documentation. After all, the double-engine govt along with the the Union tourism minister hailing from the state, will add to its advantage, said the industry representatives.The proposal to upgrade the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology into a National Institute of Hospitality is expected to ease the manpower crunch that the fast expanding sector in Rajasthan is witnessing. Designed as a bridge between academia, industry, and govt, the institute will strengthen professional training in hospitality management. Ranvijay Singh, senior vice-president of the Federation of Rajasthan Hotels, said, “The pilot scheme to upskill 10,000 guides across 20 iconic tourist sites through a standardised 12-week hybrid training course, in collaboration with an Indian Institute of Management, would be equally significant.” Guides, often the first point of contact for visitors at monuments such as Amber Fort, Chittorgarh, and Ranthambore—stand to benefit from structured training in communication, cultural interpretation, and global best practices. This initiative aims to improve tourist experiences while expanding employment opportunities. The Budget also proposed a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid to digitally document cultural, spiritual, and heritage sites. For Rajasthan, this means creating a vast digital archive of forts, temples, stepwells, and folk traditions. The initiative could generate jobs for local researchers, historians, content creators, and technology partners, while enhancing global visibility of the state’s heritage.
