frTourism is one of the fastest developing industries in Maharashtra, with there being immense potential for the industry to grow in this state. In a major step to boost the tourism industry in Maharashtra and make it more women-led, the state government has launched a new initiative, the Aai Tourism Policy. Designed to support female entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, the policy will reshape this industry and build women’s entrepreneurship and leadership in tourism.
Maharashtra’s Aai Tourism Policy: Eligibility, Loans, Benefits, And More
Overview Of The Framework Of The Aai Tourism Policy
The Aai Tourism Policy will significantly shape the hospitality and tourism sector in Maharashtra. It focuses on empowering women entrepreneurship to ensure that leadership roles in the tourism industry are no longer out of reach for women.
‘Aai’ translates to ‘mother’ in Marathi, with this name being chosen to represent the nurturing and foundational role women play in society. Under this scheme, various incentives will be provided to support women-led businesses in the tourism sector. The initiative will guarantee financial assistance, simplified licensing processes, as well as specialized training programs to educate and empower female entrepreneurs in this industry.
The objective of this initiative is to foster a comprehensive and inclusive ecosystem for women. An ecosystem where women are not just employees but the primary stakeholders and decision-makers within their respective enterprises.
Financial Incentives, Interest-Free Loans, And More
Financial empowerment is at the core of this initiative. To reduce the initial burden of capital investment, a number of fiscal measures have been introduced. These include interest-free loans and subsidies to women entrepreneurs to assist them in the setup of homestays, restaurants, and travel agencies.
Additionally, the initiative introduces a waiver on stamp duty and registration fees for properties purchased or leased by women for tourism-related purposes. The government’s push to make tourism more women-led is gaining momentum. This is evident with over 900 women entrepreneurs securing loans worth INR 72.49 crore under the initiative. The policy has already received 4,200 applications from across the state, out of which 3,292 letters of intent have been issued.
The initiative provides interest-free loans of up to INR 15 lakh. Along with it, there will be an interest reimbursement facility for up to seven years. As of March 2026, the government has sanctioned about INR 1.67 crore towards interest reimbursement for beneficiaries.
Under the scheme, up to 10 tourism-related enterprises run by women in each taluka can receive interest support on bank loans. These loans can be of up to INR 15 lakh, with the interest subsidy capped at 12% and up to INR 4.5 lakh. The interest subsidy will be directly transferred to the beneficiary’s Aadhar-linked bank account for a maximum of seven years or until the loan is repaid.
How To Apply And Beneficiary Terms And Conditions
An application in the prescribed format can be made for setting up a new tourism project or for the expansion of an existing tourism project.
Applicants can apply to the Deputy Director (Tourism): Directorate of Tourism, Regional Office. These are in Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Nagpur. The applicant must attach self-attested documents as mentioned below:
- Aadhaar Card / Passport / Driving License / Voter ID.
- Business Registration Certificate / Electricity Bill / Telephone Bill / Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Certificate of Registration.
- An affidavit stating that the said business is a woman-owned business should be duly notarized on INR 100/- stamp paper and attached to the application.
- PAN card copy.
- Food and Drug Administration License – mandatory for food businesses.
- GST number
- A cancelled cheque
- Project concept in about 500 words.
- Pay application fees of INR 50/- on www.gras.mahakosh.gov.in. A copy of challan should be attached with the application.
- If the applicant is registered on www.nidhi.tourism.gov.in, attach a copy of the registration.
Beneficiary Terms And Conditions:
- The woman applicant must be a resident of Maharashtra.
- The beneficiary’s bank account must be linked to her Aadhaar ID.
- The tourism-related business must be owned and operated by the woman.
- Tourism businesses must have 50% managerial ownership, and other employees must be women.
- If the applicant does not have any collateral while granting the loan, the bank may include it in the credit guarantee scheme.
- After submitting the application in the prescribed format offline or online, the women applicants are given the Eligibility Certificate (Letter of Intent) by the Directorate of Tourism. On the basis of the said eligibility certificate, applicants get the loan sanction from the authorized bank.
- Loan repayment must be regular.
- Submission of photos of the tourism business/project is mandatory.
- Apart from the interest amount, other bank fees or charges will not be reimbursed by the Directorate of Tourism.
Also Read: 10 International Trips Under INR 1 Lakh From India For Budget Travelers
The Role Of Homestays And Rural Integration
The initiative will also focus on authentic cultural experiences, including an emphasis on the development of homestays. It encourages rural women to convert portions of their residences into guest accommodations, providing travelers with an engaging experience and a peek into Maharashtrian culture. The model will serve a dual purpose: it will highlight the state’s heritage while also serving as a sustainable source of income for households.
The state will provide necessary training, including training in hospitality management, hygiene standards, and digital marketing. This is to ensure that the homestay meets the standards of both domestic and foreign tourists.
Skill Development And Safety Of Female Travelers
The initiative will focus on developing the skillset of the primary stakeholders – women entrepreneurs. Be it through workshops on tour guiding, culinary arts, or handicrafts or equipping women to leverage the power of online booking platforms and social media for promotion, the initiative will encourage women to develop specialized skills.
And the policy not only focuses on women entrepreneurs, but also on female travelers. The experience of the female traveler is an essential element of the initiative’s framework. The framework includes improvements in lighting in tourist zones, more female security personnel, dedicated help desks, and more. The framework also believes making the state a safer destination for female travelers. This can ultimately increase the overall volume of tourism.
Also Read: 7 Beaches In Maharashtra That Deserve A Spot On Your Travel Bucket List
Types And Areas Of Businesses Included Under The Initiative
Types of businesses eligible under the Aai Tourism Policy must be within Maharashtra. They have been stated below:
- Caravan, beach shack, adventure tourism (land, air, water) tourist facilitation center, agri tourism center, home stay, bed & breakfast, resort, hotel, motel, houseboat, tent, tree house, hotels, vocational rental houses, tourist villas, wooden cottages, pods, etc.
- Restaurant, cafeteria, fast food, women’s run common kitchen, cafe, bakery
- Tour operators, travel agents, tour guides, cruises, tour & travel agencies, art & craft village, tourist transporters operator, houseboat.
- Projects related to tribal / nature tourism, medical tourism, wellness centers, ayurveda, yoga center, etc.
- Other tourism businesses (directly or indirectly useful for tourists) e.g. souvenir shop, various food vendors, event management, etc.
Monitoring The Aai Tourism Policy
There will be robust monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure the effective implementation of the Aai Tourism Policy. The government will also conduct periodic reviews to assess the progress and impact of the incentives. It will also help to identify its shortcomings and work on them.
The long-term goal of the initiative remains to make Maharashtra’s tourism industry more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative.
Summing Up
The Aai Tourism Policy aims to be an inclusive initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in the state. By offering them financial incentives, assistance, training, and more benefits, the state aims to make the hospitality and tourism industry a more diverse industry with women-led innovation at its core.
