Maharashtra’s ‘Aai’ Tourism Policy Empowers Women Entrepreneurs; ₹72 Crore Loans Sanctioned to Over 900 Beneficiaries Mumbai: Maharashtra’s initiative to promote women-led tourism businesses is gaining strong momentum, as more than 900 women entrepreneurs have secured loans worth ₹72.49 crore under the state’s ‘Aai’ tourism policy. The scheme, introduced by the Government of Maharashtra, aims to increase women’s participation in the tourism sector by encouraging them to start and manage businesses ranging from homestays and agro-tourism projects to cafés and travel services. Officials confirmed that the policy has received an overwhelming response across the state, with over 4,200 applications submitted so far. Out of these, 3,292 letters of intent have already been issued, indicating strong interest among women looking to establish tourism-related ventures. The policy offers interest-free loans of up to ₹15 lakh to women entrepreneurs along with an interest reimbursement facility for up to seven years. So far, the state government has released ₹1.67 crore towards interest reimbursement for beneficiaries. According to officials, the scheme has received the highest response from the Konkan, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Nashik regions, which are already known for attracting large numbers of tourists and offer strong potential for small-scale tourism enterprises. The ‘Aai’ tourism policy is built around five key pillars. These include promoting women’s entrepreneurship in tourism, creating women-friendly tourism infrastructure, enhancing safety for women travellers, offering special services and concessions for women tourists, and expanding tourism growth across the state. Under the scheme, up to 10 women-led tourism enterprises in each taluka can receive financial assistance. The interest subsidy — capped at 12 percent and up to ₹4.5 lakh — is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account for a maximum of seven years or until the loan is fully repaid. To qualify for the benefits, the tourism venture must be owned and operated by a woman and registered with the state Directorate of Tourism. For tour and travel agencies, at least 50 percent of the workforce must be women. Beyond financial assistance, the policy also focuses on improving safety and inclusivity for women travellers. Women working 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 benefit from special incentives. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation will offer 20 percent discounts on selected tourism circuits. Additionally, women will receive 50 percent discounts on online bookings at MTDC resorts on 23 specific days each year, including 1–8 March to mark International Women’s Day. The policy also introduces special travel packages exclusively for women, including women-only city tours, adventure trips, trekking expeditions, and travel packages designed for senior women citizens and women with disabilities. To support women’s self-help groups, the initiative will also provide stalls at MTDC properties where they can sell handicrafts, local artwork, and food products. Additional facilities such as childcare services for travellers with young children and rooms located closer to lifts for elderly or differently-abled women are also part of the plan. Speaking about the initiative, Maharashtra’s Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said the policy goes beyond financial incentives. He stated that women in tourism are now stepping forward not only as participants but also as entrepreneurs creating new employment opportunities, which will strengthen both rural and urban tourism economies. Principal Secretary (Tourism) Sanjay Khandare added that the scheme is helping bring financial empowerment to women while encouraging more women to travel and participate in tourism activities. Tourism Director B. N. Patil noted that the initiative is expected to accelerate growth in the sector by expanding women-led enterprises across the tourism value chain. Officials believe the ‘Aai’ tourism policy could significantly reshape the state’s tourism ecosystem by bringing more women into leadership roles — from managing homestays in scenic rural destinations to running travel services in urban hubs — while also making Maharashtra a safer and more welcoming destination for women travellers.
