The Government of Kerala has announced Chief Minister's Tourism Loan Assistance Scheme (CMTLAS) in a bid to support the State's travel and tourism sector, which is badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. While entrepreneurs/establishments in the travel and tourism sector can opt for Tourism Working Capital Support Scheme (TWCSS) to stay afloat, employees engaged in the industry can avail of short-term personal loans under Tourism Employment Support Scheme (TESS). Houseboats owners can make use of Tourism Houseboats Support Scheme (THSS) to get financial assistance for executing urgent repairs and maintenance to the assets. Under the Tourism Guides Support Scheme (TGSS), eligible tourist guides will be given a one-time financial assistance. Through these relief measures, the Government of Kerala intends to help all the stakeholders of the industry to tide over the current crisis and start functioning as soon as the pandemic gets contained.
Tourism entrepreneurs/establishments can apply for working capital loan upto Rs. 25 lakh at a rate of interest as per the approved policy of respective banks.
Employees engaged in the travel and tourism sector can apply for short-term personal loans upto Rs. 30,000 from Kerala Bank (Kerala State Co-operative Bank) at an interest rate of 9 per cent.
One-time financial assistance up to Rs. 1,20,000 to the houseboat owners for maintenance of houseboats. Owners of various houseboats plying in the backwaters of Kerala are eligible to apply, subject to conditions.
One-time financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to 328 licensed tourist guides - approved by Kerala Tourism and India Tourism - working in the State's tourism sector, subject to conditions.