Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024

Transforming Maharashtra Into a Global Tourism Powerhouse

About Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024

The Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024 has been introduced by the Government of Maharashtra to position the state as one of India’s leading global tourism destinations.

The policy lays a strong foundation for sustainable, inclusive, and investment-driven tourism growth over the next decade.

It aims to attract private investments of over ₹1 lakh crore and generate around 18 lakh employment opportunities across various tourism segments — including hotels, resorts, adventure tourism, wellness, rural tourism, heritage circuits, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions), and coastal tourism.

Policy Focus Areas

Promoting balanced regional tourism development across all districts.
Encouraging new-age tourism such as digital nomad hubs, eco‑tourism, and experiential stays.
Improving infrastructure and connectivity through private-sector collaboration.
Preserving local culture, heritage, and environment through responsible tourism initiatives.
Streamlining approvals and enabling a single-window clearance system.

Through this policy, Maharashtra envisions becoming a world‑class tourism hub by 2034, creating memorable experiences for visitors while enabling investors to participate in the growing tourism ecosystem.

Eligible Tourism Unit

Accommodation (A)
  • Hotels
  • Motels
  • Youth Hostel/Club
  • Resorts
  • Log Huts
  • Cottages
Accommodation (B)
  • Service Apartment
  • Home Stay
  • Cruise Boats
  • Agro/Rural/Eco Tourism
  • Others
Food and Beverages
  • Wayside Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Food Kiosk
  • Beach Shack
  • Others
Travel and Tourism
  • MICE
  • Exhibitions
  • Wellness Centre
  • Hotel Management Institute
  • Others
Entertainment & Recreation
  • Rope Way
  • Amusement/Theme Park
  • Theatre
  • AR-VR Zone
  • Culture Centre
  • Others
Other Tourism Unit
  • Handloom
  • E-Vehicle for Tourist
  • Heritage Structure
  • Hospitality Parks
  • Others

Maharashtra Zonal Classification:

1

Zone A

Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai Municipal Area

2

Zone B

Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur Municipal Corporations

3

Zone C

All other areas of Maharashtra

4

STZ/STD

Specially Declared Tourism Zones

Eligibility Period for Incentive:

Type of Unit/Zone A B C, STZ/STD Ultra Mega Project
Large / Mega / Ultra Mega Projects 5 years 7 years 10 years 15 years
MSME Projects 5 years 5 years 7 years -
Other Tourism Projects 3 years 3 years 5 years -

Permissible Benefits / Incentives

Under the Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024, eligible hotels, resorts, amusement parks, wellness centers, and other tourism units can claim 23 fiscal and 13 non-fiscal benefits. These incentives are designed to promote sustainable and high-quality tourism infrastructure across the state.

🏨 Capital Subsidy (Cash Incentive)

Direct financial assistance to offset the cost of setting up or expanding tourism projects. Eligible units can receive up to 30% of the eligible capital investment, depending on the project location category (A, B, C, D, D+, or No-Industry Districts). Projects in backward or hilly regions enjoy the highest subsidy rates.

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🏗️ Additional FSI at Discounted Rate

Tourism projects can avail additional Floor Space Index (FSI) at concessional premium rates. The discount varies between 50%–75% based on the project category and regional classification—helping investors optimize land use and expand capacity.

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🧾 Stamp Duty & Registration Fee Exemption

100% exemption from stamp duty and registration charges on land purchase, lease, and mortgage deeds executed for approved tourism units. This significantly reduces upfront capital burden.

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⚡ Electricity Duty Exemption

Registered tourism units are exempted from electricity duty for up to 10 years from the date of commencement of operations—resulting in major operational savings.

🔌 Electricity Tariff Concession

Tourism units are eligible for a special low-tariff category, creating recurring savings on electricity bills throughout the incentive period.

🏦 Interest Subsidy on Loans

Reimbursement of interest paid on term loans taken for project setup or expansion. Eligible projects can receive up to 5% interest subsidy for 7 years, subject to policy limits.

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🏅 Quality Certification Incentive

Projects obtaining national or international certifications (ISO, HACCP, Green Globe, etc.) are eligible for reimbursement of certification costs. The incentive covers up to 75% of certification and audit expenses.

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🌿 Sustainability Incentive

Financial assistance for adopting eco-friendly initiatives such as solar power, waste management, and water conservation. Eligible units can claim up to ₹25 lakh or a percentage of the total project cost, depending on category.

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Non-Fiscal Benefits

Single-Window Clearance: Fast-track approvals and NOCs for tourism units.
Priority Land Allotment: Preferential access to land in notified tourism zones.
Marketing & Promotion Support: Inclusion in state tourism campaigns and events.
Skill Development: Subsidized training programs for hospitality workforce.
Infrastructure Support: Assistance with road, power, and water connectivity.
Ease of Land Conversion: Simplified land-use conversion for tourism units.

These non-fiscal incentives ensure a smooth, investor-friendly environment that accelerates tourism project implementation across Maharashtra.

Eligible Capital Investment (ECI)

The policy clearly defines what constitutes Eligible Capital Investment (ECI) for tourism projects and what is not included in ECI. This definition is crucial for determining the incentives available to various tourism units.

Eligible Capital Investment
1

Land Cost

Eligible specifically for SGST refund only.

2

Equipment and Infrastructure

Includes machinery, transformers, generators, captive power plants.

3

Buildings and Facilities

Covers structures, buildings, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations, and waste treatment facilities.

4

Fixtures and Fittings

Includes material handling equipment, fixtures, furniture, and fittings.

Ineligible Capital Investment
1

Land Cost

Ineligible for capital incentives except for SGST refund.

2

Intangible Assets

Excludes intellectual property rights and goodwill.

3

Pre-construction and Consultancy

Expenses and consultant costs are not eligible.

4

Working Capital

Not considered as part of eligible capital investment.

Interest Subsidy Loans

Zone Subvention Loan Value Overall Ceiling
A Up to 5% INR 5 Crore INR 20 Lakhs
B Up to 5% INR 10 Crore INR 25 Lakhs
C, STZ/STD Up to 5% INR 15–20 Crore INR 30–50 Lakhs
Ultra Mega Project Up to 5% INR 25 Crore INR 75 Lakh

Quality Certification Incentives:

1

National Certification

100% reimbursement, capped at INR 2 lakh

2

International Certification

100% reimbursement, capped at INR 10 lakh

3

ZEligible Costs

Certification fees and 50% of consulting costs

4

Requirement

Only certifications recognized by Department MoT eligible

Sustainability Incentives Incentive:

1

Reimbursement

Actual GST paid on sustainability initiatives

2

Cap

Lower of INR 25 lakhs or 25% of investment cost

3

Eligible Initiatives

• Installation of Pollution Control Device, Onsite waste converter
• Installation of waste water treatment, Rain water Harvesting
• Installation of renewable energy generation
• Installation of passenger and utility electric vehicle
• Others

Additional FSI Benefits

1. What is Additional FSI?

Floor Space Index (FSI) defines the ratio of the total built-up area of a building to the total plot area. For example, an FSI of 2.0 means you can construct built-up area equal to twice the plot area.

Typically, to construct beyond base FSI, developers must purchase premium FSI or TDR at 35%–60% of the Ready Reckoner (RR) rate.

Under the Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024, eligible tourism projects can procure additional FSI at a 50% discount on the prevailing premium rate, substantially reducing development costs.

2. Additional FSI Procurement under Tourism Policy

  • Additional FSI is available at a 50% discount on the prevailing premium rate.
  • FSI permissible depends on road width and DCR norms (whichever is higher).

Maximum Permissible FSI

Sr. No. Minimum Road Width Maximum Permissible FSI (Greater Mumbai Region) Maximum Permissible FSI (Rest of Maharashtra)
1 12 m Up to 3.0 Up to 3.0
2 18 m Up to 4.0 Up to 3.5
3 24 m Up to 5.0 Up to 4.0

Illustrative Example

Particulars Without Tourism Policy With Tourism Policy
Plot Area 10,000 sq. mtr. 10,000 sq. mtr.
Permissible Base FSI 1.00 1.00
Additional FSI Availed 0.80 (via TDR/premium) 0.80 (through Tourism Policy)
Total Built-up Area 18,000 sq. mtr. 18,000 sq. mtr.
Cost of Additional FSI ₹36,000/sq.m (40% of RR ₹90,000) ₹18,000/sq.m (20% of RR ₹90,000)
Total Cost for Additional FSI ₹64.8 crore ₹32.4 crore
Savings through Policy ₹32.4 crore

Case Study

“By evaluating FSI options under the Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2016, our client saved over ₹10 crore in development costs — achieving optimal land use without purchasing high-cost TDR.”

5. Key Takeaways

  • Additional FSI available at 50% discounted premium.
  • FSI limits depend on road width or DCR norms.
  • Major cost savings of 30–60% on FSI procurement.
  • Applicable for both new and expansion tourism projects.
  • Encourages investment and balanced development across Maharashtra.

6. Our Role

  • Assessing eligibility and calculating maximum permissible FSI.
  • Computing cost benefits versus market TDR/premium rates.
  • Assistance with application and approval from Tourism Directorate & Planning Authority.
  • Structuring optimal FSI utilization strategies.