Marketing Development Assistance Scheme

The Ministry of Tourism launched the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme under the Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP) Scheme. The scheme aims to provide financial support to tourism service providers approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India or the respective State Government / Union Territory (UT) Administration for undertaking promotion and marketing of India in the overseas markets.

Objectives:

• To motivate stakeholders to promote tourism to the country from the overseas markets.
• To enhance the visibility of the brand Incredible India in the overseas markets.
• To augment foreign tourist arrivals to the country.

For Tourism Service Providers
Financial support for study tours, and participation in travel shows/exhibitions/road shows in overseas markets (organized by the Ministry of Tourism) will be provided up to a maximum of ₹3,50,000/- per case/tour.
Sr. No. Particulars Extent of Support 1Economy class airfare for travel between India to another country and from there to a group of countries by air/rail.90%2Cost of built-up/furnished stall, electricity and water charges, participation fee, etc., at travel fair/exhibitions held overseas.90%3Lodging expenses on overseas tour Max. 5 nights with an upper ceiling of room rate at ₹10,000/- per night.

For Tourism Departments of State Governments / UT Administrations
Financial support for participation in overseas travel shows and exhibitions will be provided as follows:
Sr. No. Particulars Extent of Support1. Cost of built-up/furnished stall, electricity and water charges, participation fee, etc., at travel fair/exhibitions held overseas.Overall ceiling of ₹3,50,000/-.
2. Since, the representatives of State Govts and UTs are provided TA/DA by the States/UTs, the provisions of financial assistance towards international air fare and lodging are not applicable to them.

For Tourism Service Providers /Tourism Departments of State Governments / UT Administrations
Financial support for online promotion of tourism destinations and products in overseas markets, including digital content creation, will cover 50% of the total cost, up to ₹1,00,000/- per financial year, subject to actuals.

1. The tourism service providers should be travel agents, inbound tour operators, tourist transport operators, classified hotels, classified bed & breakfast units, classified home stays, classified motels, guest houses & tented accommodation units, standalone restaurants, convention centers, and online aggregators, sales tours, participation in travel fairs/exhibitions and road shows (organized by Ministry of Tourism), online promotion of tourism destinations and products, tour packages in the overseas markets, including content creation/production of digital promotional brochures/leaflets etc.
2. The tourism service providers should be approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, or the concerned State / Union Territory Tourism Department.
3. The approved tourism service providers should show a minimum fee of ₹1.00 crore – ₹2.00 crore in any of the preceding two years i.e. 2018-19 or 2019-20, the number of tours may be limited to a maximum of two in one financial year.
4. The approved tourism service providers should show a minimum fee of ₹2.00 crore and above in one of the preceding two years i.e. 2018-19 or 2019-20, the number of tours may be limited to a maximum of three in one financial year.
5. Tourism departments of State Governments / UT Administrations are also eligible to avail benefits under the Scheme. However, the above eligibility conditions do not apply to them.

Online

Prior Approval:

Step 01: The TSP/SG/UT shall obtain Prior Approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, before undertaking a tour overseas.
Step 02: The applicants download the prior approval application form Annexure-I.
Step 03: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
Step 04: Submit the duly filled and signed application form at least 21 days before the tour to the Assistant Director General (Overseas Marketing) via email at mda-tourism@gov.in.

Reimbursement Claims:

After undertaking the tourism promotional activity/tour abroad for which Prior Approval had been accorded by the Ministry of Tourism the Tourism Service Provider / State Govt./ UT Administration will apply to reimbursement/claim.
Step 01: The applicants download the claim application form Annexure-II, III & IV.
Step 02: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
Step 03: Submit the duly filled and signed application form within 45 days of completion of the activity to the Assistant Director General (Overseas Marketing), Ministry of Tourism via email at mda-tourism@gov.in.

NOTE: Submission of claims in physical form will not be accepted.