Due to the Covid-19 induced pandemic, the tourism sector across the globe has been affected badly. Not only it has been downhill since 2020 due to imposed guidelines and travel restrictions, but it is still on its knees trying to find its balance.
The Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman, on Monday, announced a new 100% guaranteed loan scheme that will be provided to registered tourist guides and other travel and tourism stakeholders who are facing a financial crisis.
Tourist guides who are registered at the regional or state level and are licensed can get loans up to INR 1 Lakh with a guarantee. A total of 10,700 regional level tourist guides are recognized by the Minister of Tourism and state governments would benefit from the scheme.
Loans with an upper limit of INR 10 Lakh would be available with a 100% guarantee to travel and tourism stakeholders such as travel agencies. Around 904 stakeholders are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism who are eligible for this loan guarantee scheme.
The Finance Minister said that under the new loan guarantee scheme for Covid affected sectors, working capital or personal loans will be provided to people in the tourism sector to discharge liabilities and restart businesses impacted due to Covid-19.