Maharashtra cabinet nod to ‘Aai’ tourism policy; women entrepreneurs, tourists to get special benefits

According to an official, a Women Tourism Policy Cell will be created under the Directorate of Tourism for the implementation of the Aai policy. The official added that a five-point program will be implemented as part of the policy.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, all resorts of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will provide a 50 per cent discount on online booking to all women tourists from March 1 to 8. (File)

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The Maharashtra cabinet Tuesday approved the implementation of the ‘Aai’ (mother) tourism policy under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The cabinet also gave a nod to women-run bike-taxi services in some tourist destinations.

According to an official, a Women Tourism Policy Cell will be created under the Directorate of Tourism for the implementation of the Aai policy. The official added that a five-point program will be implemented as part of the policy.

The five-point program includes the promotion of women entrepreneurship, the creation of infrastructure for women, prioritising the safety of women tourists, customising products for women tourists, and providing discounts to women travellers. A task force will also be formed under the chairmanship of the tourism minister for the effective implementation of the policy, said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Under the policy, 10 women-owned tourism businesses – homestays, hotels, restaurants, and tour and travel agencies – in each taluka will be registered with the Directorate of Tourism (DoT). Women entrepreneurs will be financially assisted in setting up tourism businesses and can repay interest in easy instalments. Also, the government will pay the annual insurance premium of women tour operators registered with the DoT for the first five years.

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Maharashtra