MoT to include domestic tour operators for Market Development Scheme: Soni

Ministry of Tourism (MoT) will now provide Market Development Assistance (MDA) to domestic tour operators and has also included inbound tour operators earning up to Rs 20 crore for MDA. Earlier inbound tour operators earning up to Rs 10 crore were only eligible for MDA. Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India made this announcement at the meeting of the National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC) held earlier in the day in New Delhi. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of the travel and hospitality associations. An official circular will be put out tomorrow regarding the changes in the MDA scheme.

A number of proposals to boost tourism in India were put forth and discussed with the Minister at the meeting by the representatives of travel and hospitality associations. It was decided in the meeting to promote and project India as a safe destination through the `Incredible India’ campaign on both, international and domestic level. Soni also promised that proposals on domestic infrastructure development on the Public –Private- Partnership (PPP) model will be forwarded to the Finance Ministry for consideration.