High real estate costs, lack of any tax incentive and bureaucratic hurdles are huge problems for the growth of the hospitality industry that is one of the country’s top job earners, a survey has revealed.
Reeling under high input costs and 40 per cent labour shortage, the realty sector in Gujarat is witnessing construction projects getting either delayed, cancelled or halted in progress.
A random Survey of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India said that in the view of continuous elevated inflation and increase of price of commodity across globe, has made out a strong case for continuation of stimulus package so that the growth momentum is not spiked.
I often get amused when I get into the details of the industry survey that shouts at the top of its voice – “All is Well”. Some of these industry reports claiming the business to be witness to higher consumer sentiment are based on the feedback of connected parties like developers, banks, financial institutions and private equity players. All in all, it’s a family cycle where everyone is desperate to beg, borrow or steal for sale. The most important stakeholder – the home buyer – whose sentiment is being tracked is better left out in this mutual appreciation club of vested interests.
The Indian strategy in the hospitality segment seems to be borne out of the demand-supply market dynamics. An industry survey estimates that the three major Indian metropolitan areas—Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi—command some of the highest hotel rentals in the world.
Track2Realty Exclusive:Following nearly two years of sub-5% growth due to currency volatility, high inflation and fiscal deficits, poor investment and market sentiment scenario, India’s economy bounced back with a growth rate of 5.7% during the April–June period of FY 2014–15, up from 4.6% in the preceding quarter. With business prospects improving across key sectors, the economy is expected to display further improvements in the next quarter.
Evaluation of the real estate brands has never been as challenging in India as it is now. After all, the large & listed real estate developers across the country are exhibiting identical patterns with their performance. Nearly all of them are witness to their best-ever fiscal topline as well as stock performance. The combined market share, fiscal performance and market cap of some 20-0dd listed real estate companies would be more than half the revenue of Indian real estate.
More than 200 press releases in my mailbox; and all are glorifying the Union Budget 2025-26. This raises more questions than addressing any of the concerns of the Indian real estate. Has real estate sector finally got its due with the Union Budget 2025-26? Why are the stakeholders so upbeat with the Union Budget that has by and large ignored the wish list of the sector? Aren’t these industry voices taking “U-Turn” in pre & post budget overtones?
The Union Budget 2025, ahead of a few significant Assembly Elections, quite obviously aimed at headline management & garnering likes. And to a large extent the Finance Minister & Modi Government succeeded in this, since the most vocal middle class of India finally got something to cheer about. However, the larger issue is whether the Personal Income Tax exemption level up to an income of INR 12 lakh going to change the household realities of the shrinking middle class of India. More importantly, will it lead to consumption and asset creation, and that too of a high value asset like real estate.
On a scale of 0-100, the Housing Sentiment Index has been noted to be just 18; with 82% Indians categorically believing that housing is just not affordable to them. A vast majority of them, as many as 80%, believe it would take no less than 10 years of their gross income to afford a house in any of the leading Indian cities. The global benchmark is 5 years of gross income with not more than 40% of take-home salary. But 78% Indians believe it would take no less than 60% take home salary to buy a house in India.