Marketing Development Assistance Scheme 2026: Up to ₹3.5 Lakh Support for Overseas Tourism Promotion

At a glance

About the scheme

The Ministry of Tourism implements the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme under its Overseas Promotion & Publicity Programme to encourage stakeholders to market India across international destinations. By subsidising participation in foreign exhibitions, sales tours, road shows, and digital outreach, the scheme seeks to bolster the global presence of the Incredible India campaign and raise foreign tourist arrivals. Assistance covers economy airfare, stall setup fees, lodging, and online promotional campaigns for recognised operators.

Benefits

• Up to 90% reimbursement of economy class airfare and international rail travel for approved tourism service providers.
• Up to 90% financial support towards the cost of built-up stalls, utilities, and participation fees at overseas travel fairs, up to ₹3,50,000.
• Reimbursement of overseas lodging expenses for up to 5 nights, capped at ₹10,000 per night.
• Financial assistance up to an overall ceiling of ₹3,50,000 for State and UT Tourism Departments for stall setup and participation fees at international exhibitions.
• 50% financial coverage up to ₹1,00,000 per financial year for online overseas destination promotion and digital content development.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Tourism service providers must be officially approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, or a State/UT Tourism Department.
• Covered categories include travel agents, inbound tour operators, tourist transport operators, classified hotels, bed and breakfasts, homestays, motels, guest houses, tented accommodations, standalone restaurants, convention centres, and online aggregators.
• Approved providers with foreign exchange earnings between ₹1.00 crore and ₹2.00 crore in 2018-19 or 2019-20 can avail assistance for up to two tours per financial year.
• Approved providers with foreign exchange earnings of ₹2.00 crore and above in 2018-19 or 2019-20 can avail assistance for up to three tours per financial year.
• State Government and UT Tourism Departments are eligible for exhibition assistance without foreign exchange earnings conditions.
• Only one designated representative—such as the CEO, Managing Director, Director, Managing Partner, Proprietor, or a regular employee—may undertake the overseas tour.

Who cannot apply

• Domestic travel and promotional activities within India are not covered.
• Service providers who have claimed or received assistance for the same activity from any other government agency or department cannot apply.
• Tourism service providers not approved by the Ministry of Tourism or State/UT tourism departments are excluded.
• Physical claim submissions are rejected; offline paperwork without digital submission is not accepted.

Documents required

• Proof of approval as a Tourism Service Provider from the Ministry of Tourism or State/UT Tourism Department.
• Chartered Accountant certified Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) certificate for the eligible base years.
• Declaration or undertaking verifying no ongoing investigation or debarment.
• Record of financial assistance received under the scheme during the past three years.
• Air tickets along with boarding passes or passport pages displaying immigration stamps.
• Brief tour summary report containing a maximum of 250 words.
• Original payment vouchers and invoices for air travel, stall rental, event participation, and lodging.

How to apply

1. 1Download the prior approval application form (Annexure-I) from the official Ministry of Tourism website.
2. 2Complete all mandatory fields, attach required proofs including the CA certificate, and send the form to mda-tourism@gov.in at least 21 days before the tour.
3. 3Receive formal prior approval from the Assistant Director General (Overseas Marketing) before departing.
4. 4Conduct the overseas promotional visit, travel show participation, or approved marketing event.
5. 5Download the reimbursement claim forms (Annexures II, III, and IV) from the official portal upon returning.
6. 6Submit the signed claim documents along with bills, tickets, boarding passes, and the tour report via email to mda-tourism@gov.in within 45 days of completing the activity.

Frequently asked questions