Travel & Tourism Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — September 2026
Indian Travel & Tourism startups have access to six active funding and incubation programs in September 2026. These initiatives include state-level incentives, central government schemes, and focused reimbursement programs to foster growth in the sector.
As of September 2026, Travel & Tourism startups in India can access six active funding opportunities. These include direct grants, incubation support, and competition-based awards. The funding landscape for this sector is primarily driven by government initiatives, offering state-specific incentives, central Ministry programs, and targeted schemes for sector promotion. These programs aim to stimulate entrepreneurship and infrastructure development across India's diverse tourism landscape.
Active Travel & Tourism Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Tourism Policy Incentives | Subsidy | Rolling | Varies |
| Marketing Development Assistance Scheme | Subsidy | Rolling | ₹1 L – ₹3.5 L |
| Chief Minister’s Startup/innovation Projects/new Industries | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Interventions: Reimbursement of GST Amount for Promoting Destination Wedding- DNH&DD | Subsidy | Rolling | ₹5 L |
| Grants Provisioned under Uttarakhand Tourism Policy, 2023 | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| HP Tourism Excellence Awards | Competition | Rolling | ₹1 L |
State Tourism Policy Incentives (Government of India)
Many Indian states offer targeted incentives to encourage investment and growth in their tourism and hospitality sectors. These State Tourism Policy Incentives are designed to provide financial and infrastructural support for new and expanding businesses.
Typical state-level benefits include capital subsidies, often ranging from 15% to 30% of the project cost, and interest subvention on term loans, usually between 2% and 5%. Additional advantages can encompass stamp-duty exemptions, electricity-duty concessions, and GST-linked incentives. Some policies also facilitate land allotment at concessional rates for specific tourism infrastructure projects such as hotels, resorts, homestays, wellness centers, adventure tourism facilities, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) venues. The exact benefits vary by state policy, reflecting regional development priorities.
Marketing Development Assistance Scheme (Ministry of Tourism)
The Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, operates under the Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP) framework. This scheme provides financial support to approved tourism service providers, along with State Government and Union Territory tourism administrations, for promoting India as a global tourism destination.
The primary objective is to enhance India's presence on the international tourism map by assisting stakeholders in marketing and promotion activities in key international markets. This initiative aims to elevate the global visibility of the "Incredible India" brand, thereby increasing foreign tourist arrivals. Eligible participants can receive assistance up to ₹3,50,000 to support their marketing efforts.
Chief Minister’s Startup/Innovation Projects/New Industries (Startup Himachal)
The Chief Minister’s Startup/Innovation Projects/New Industries Scheme, formulated by the Department of Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh, aims to support startups and innovative projects within the state. This scheme seeks to transform educated youth into job creators, cultivate entrepreneurship, and facilitate industrial development across Himachal Pradesh.
Beyond direct support to startups, the scheme also focuses on building a conducive ecosystem by establishing Incubation Centers within reputable host institutions across the state. These centers are tasked with capacity building and fostering an entrepreneurial environment. The specific support and incentives under the Chief Minister’s Startup/innovation Projects/new Industries vary depending on the nature of the project and its alignment with the scheme's objectives.
RAMP Interventions: Reimbursement of GST Amount for Promoting Destination Wedding- DNH&DD (Department of Industries, UT Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)
The "Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP)" scheme is a Government of India initiative, supported by the World Bank, to enhance MSME capabilities. Within this framework, "Intervention 4: Reimbursement of GST amount for promoting destination wedding" has been rolled out by the Department of Industries, Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. This targeted intervention is designed to invigorate the tourism sector within the Union Territory by offering financial incentives.
Specifically, the program aims to promote destination weddings by reimbursing GST amounts incurred by service providers. This support helps reduce the operational costs for businesses involved in organizing destination weddings, making the Union Territory a more attractive location for such events. Businesses can receive up to ₹5,00,000 under the RAMP GST Destination Wedding DNH&DD program.
Grants Provisioned under Uttarakhand Tourism Policy, 2023 (Department of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand)
The "Grants Provisioned under Uttarakhand Tourism Policy, 2023" is an initiative by the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, designed to promote sustainable tourism development across the state. The policy encourages both private and institutional investment within the tourism sector by providing a suite of financial incentives and subsidies.
This policy outlines various grant categories and incentive structures tailored to different types of tourism projects, from housing developments to the creation of unique tourism products and services. By offering substantial capital subsidies and other forms of support, the Uttarakhand Tourism Policy, 2023 Grants aim to foster economic growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance the overall tourism infrastructure and experience in Uttarakhand.
HP Tourism Excellence Awards (Startup Himachal)
The Annual Excellence Awards in Tourism, established under the Tourism Policy 2019 by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, recognize contributions within the state's tourism sector. These awards encourage innovation, quality, and sustainable practices among entrepreneurs, startups, and established tourism assets.
The program provides a platform for visibility and acknowledgement, promoting best practices across various categories. It seeks to honor those demonstrating exceptional performance, pioneering initiatives, and dedicated efforts in enhancing the tourism experience and infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. The awards encompass a broad spectrum of contributions, with recipients potentially receiving up to ₹1,00,000 under the HP Tourism Excellence Awards.
Before Applying
Eligibility for these programs often includes geographical restrictions and specific business types. For instance, the Chief Minister’s Startup/innovation Projects/new Industries Scheme and the HP Tourism Excellence Awards are specific to Himachal Pradesh, while the Grants Provisioned under Uttarakhand Tourism Policy, 2023 apply only within Uttarakhand. The RAMP intervention for GST reimbursement is exclusive to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The Marketing Development Assistance Scheme generally requires approved tourism service provider status.
All listed programs currently operate with rolling or not specified deadlines. This indicates a continuous application intake rather than fixed cohort cycles, providing flexibility for startups to apply when ready. There are no immediate closing dates to note, allowing applicants to prepare their proposals thoroughly.
