MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s push to make tourism more women-led is gathering momentum, with over 900 women entrepreneurs securing loans worth Rs 72.49 crore under the state’s ‘Aai’ tourism policy, aimed at boosting women’s participation in the sector.Launched by the Government of Maharashtra to expand women’s role in tourism businesses and travel services, the policy has already attracted 4,200 applications from across the state. Of these, 3,292 letters of intent have been issued, signalling strong interest among women keen to start ventures ranging from homestays and agro-tourism projects to cafés and travel services.The initiative provides interest-free loans of up to Rs15 lakh, along with an interest reimbursement facility for up to seven years. So far, the government has sanctioned Rs 1.67 crore towards interest reimbursement for beneficiaries.Officials said the scheme has received the strongest response from the Konkan, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nashik divisions — regions that already attract large numbers of tourists and have significant potential for small tourism enterprises.The policy rests on five pillars: encouraging women’s entrepreneurship in tourism, building women-friendly tourism infrastructure, enhancing safety for women travellers, offering customised services and concessions for women tourists, and promoting tourism growth across the state.Under the scheme, up to 10 tourism-related enterprises run by women in each taluka can receive interest support on bank loans of up to Rs15 lakh. The interest subsidy — capped at 12% and up to Rs4.5 lakh — is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account for a maximum of seven years or until the loan is repaid.To qualify, the tourism business must be owned and operated by a woman and registered with the state Directorate of Tourism. In the case of tour and travel agencies, at least half of the employees must be women.Beyond financial support, the policy also aims to make tourism safer and more inclusive for women travellers. Women employees in tourism businesses — including tour guides, drivers and tour operators — will be covered under government insurance schemes, with the state paying the premium for the first five years.Women tourists will also receive incentives such as a 20% discount on tourism circuits organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. They will also get a 50% discount on online bookings at MTDC resorts on 23 specific days each year, including 1–8 March to mark International Women’s Day.Special packages are also planned for women travellers, including women-only city tours, adventure trips, trekking expeditions, and tours designed for senior women citizens and women with disabilities.The policy also includes provisions to support women’s self-help groups by providing stalls at MTDC properties to sell handicrafts, local artwork and food products. Additional facilities such as childcare services for travellers with young children and rooms closer to lifts for elderly or differently-abled women are also part of the plan.Tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai said the policy goes beyond financial incentives. “Women in tourism are stepping forward not only as participants but also as entrepreneurs creating new employment opportunities,” he said, adding that the initiative would strengthen both rural and urban tourism economies.Principal secretary (tourism) Sanjay Khandare said the scheme is helping bring financial empowerment to women while encouraging more women to travel.Tourism director B. N. Patil said the policy is expected to accelerate growth in the sector by expanding women-led enterprises across tourism value chains.Officials say the programme could significantly reshape Maharashtra’s tourism ecosystem by bringing more women into leadership roles — from running homestays in scenic rural destinations to operating travel services in urban hubs — while also making the state a more welcoming destination for women travellers.
