The Kerala Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission Society under the Department of Tourism has invited applications from women entrepreneurs to set up tourism ventures by availing loans under an interest subsidy scheme announced by the State Government.
A first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the RT Mission is implementing the Interest Subvention Project in association with the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC) as part of the government’s women-friendly tourism policy.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries will be eligible for a *four percent interest subsidy on loans up to ₹15 lakh. Women entrepreneurs or women-led units registered with the RT Mission Society can apply for the scheme by submitting a *detailed project report along with necessary documents. Eligible projects will be recommended to KSWDC, which will provide loans after scrutinising the reports and obtaining surety from applicants.
Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas described the initiative as a *model project aligned with Kerala’s inclusive and sustainable tourism development approach. He noted that in the **2025–26 State Budget, *50 percent of the funds allocated for the RT Mission have been earmarked for women empowerment activities.
He also pointed out that *around 70 percent of the units registered with the State RT Mission are either women-owned or women-led enterprises. According to the minister, the state government’s *Women-friendly Tourism Project aims to promote greater participation of women in the tourism sector while supporting the economic empowerment of local communities and ensuring their financial and social security.
Women from all categories can apply for the scheme through the official link provided by Kerala Tourism.
An MoU for the project was signed on February 11 between KSWDC Managing Director Bindhu V. C. and Kerala RT Mission Society CEO Rupeshkumar K during the Kerala Responsible Tourism Fest held at Kanakakkunnu in Thiruvananthapuram.
