Low-Interest Loan Scheme for Women in Tourism Sector on Anvil: Tourism Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
A scheme to provide low-interest loans to women-led enterprises in the tourism sector, in association with the Women’s Development Corporation, is on the anvil as part of the government’s initiatives to promote women-friendly tourism in the state, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, P A Mohamed Riyas informed the State Assembly today.

As part of this, discussions were held in the presence of Minister for Woman and Child Development, Riyas told the assembly.

The scheme, expected to be finalized by this month itself, will attract more women entrepreneurs and service providers to the tourism sector.

The women-friendly tourism initiative in the state has envisaged creation of a network of women engaged in various tourism-related services such as tour operators, homestay owners and taxi drivers. This network will firm up the state’s standing as a women-friendly destination. This will also generate jobs for women, Riyas said.

Conducting training and skill development programmes for women entrepreneurs and service providers is a key component of women-friendly tourism initiative. Already reputed for its hospitality, Kerala has made major strides in entrepreneurship and human resource development in the tourism sector, the Minister pointed out.

Also, the Government’s view is that women artists and cultural personalities have a key role in tourism sector in the state, since art and culture are integral parts of tourism. The women-friendly tourism initiative will come out with projects to ensure this aspect, he added.

Kerala has successfully created an inclusive tourism model that has made destinations in the state accessible to all sections of society including elders and the differently abled. It is being ensured that this concept is incorporated while developing new tourism destinations.