India, May 21 -- Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's recent appeal encouraging Indians to prioritise domestic destinations over overseas holidays and weddings has triggered an important conversation around tourism, consumption, and economic circulation within India. While the statement was framed in the context of strengthening the domestic economy and reducing outward forex leakage, its long-term implications may extend far beyond short-term spending patterns.

For India's hospitality sector, the larger story is not simply about tourism growth. It is about how a sustained rise in domestic travel could accelerate the expansion, formalisation, and professionalisation of one of the country's largest employment-generating industries.

India'...