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The Kerala government is set to introduce a special subsidized loan scheme to foster entrepreneurship under its women-friendly tourism initiative. Spearheaded by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Kerala State Women's Development Corporation (KSWDC) and the Responsible Tourism Mission, this program aims to empower women in the tourism sector.
The plan was finalized during a joint meeting attended by Public Works and Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas and Women and Child Development Minister Veena George.
Under this initiative, eligible ventures registered with the Responsible Tourism Mission's women-friendly program can avail of loans at a concessional interest rate of 4%. So far, nearly 18,000 women have shown interest in starting businesses across 24 diverse sectors. The KSWDC will manage the loan distribution following its established guidelines, while the Tourism Department has earmarked ₹4 crore to support this effort.
Women-Friendly Tourism Initiative
The Kerala State Women's Development Corporation (KSWDC) is committed to advancing this pioneering initiative to promote women-friendly tourism. "This will be the first scheme of its kind in the country, specifically focused on supporting women-led enterprises in the tourism sector," said Minister Veena George. She highlighted that the collaboration with the Tourism Department will serve as a model for empowering women entrepreneurs.
K. Rupeshkumar, CEO of the Responsible Tourism Mission Society, and Bindu V.C., Managing Director of KSWDC, have been entrusted with overseeing and coordinating the project's implementation. Their leadership will be crucial in ensuring the successful rollout of this initiative aimed at strengthening women's participation in tourism-based ventures.
The introduction of this scheme marks a significant step forward in encouraging women's participation in tourism-related ventures. By providing low-interest loans as financial support, the program aims to open up new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, contributing to the state's broader economic growth.
This initiative reflects Kerala's strong commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment through progressive strategies. It also highlights the impactful outcomes that can arise from coordinated efforts among various government bodies.
