Govt to provide 4 pc interest subsidy for women-led RT enterprises

Scheme will strengthen women participation in tourism: Minister P A Mohamed Riyas

Trivandrum / November 7, 2025

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 07: In a country-first initiative aimed at strengthening women entrepreneurship in tourism sector, Kerala Government has come out with a scheme to subsidize 4 per cent interest on loans provided by the Kerala State Women Development Corporation (KSWDC) for women-led enterprises registered with the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society (KRTMS).

The Government has accorded administrative sanction for Rs. 4 crore to implement the project. The interest subsidy will be made available by the Tourism Department through KRTMS for all beneficiaries including those belonging to the SC/ST communities, minorities and the general category.

The 4 per cent subsidy will be eligible for upto Rs. 15 lakh, even if the loan amount exceeds that.

This scheme will encourage more women entrepreneurs to engage in the state’s tourism sector, which is now on a high-growth trajectory, Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas said.

“Kerala has set a model for the country by launching a slew of upfront schemes to promote women-led enterprises in tourism sector as part of its women-friendly tourism initiative,” Shri Riyas noted.

Significantly, the state budget for 2025-26 had made it clear that 50 per cent of the allocation made for Responsible Tourism activities will be utilized for women empowerment, the Minister added.

KRTMS CEO Shri Rupeshkumar K said the women-friendly tourism initiative has envisaged creation of a network of women engaged in various tourism-related businesses and services such as tour operators, homestay owners, caterers and taxi drivers.

RT Mission has been playing a pivotal role in strengthening the gender-inclusive and sustainable tourism model, which has also socially and economically empowered local communities, he added.

Ends