Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 7: The Directorate of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, has invited applications from eligible Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), homestay owners, homestay staff and individuals to avail benefits under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Tourism Interventions, 2026-27. The initiative seeks to support skill development in the homestay sector and promote astro-tourism in the Islands through financial assistance and capacity-building measures.
The schemes have been notified through Notification No. 242/2026 dated August 5, 2026, published in the Andaman and Nicobar Gazette (Extraordinary) No. 243 and carried in the Daily Telegrams on August 6, 2026.
Under the notified interventions, the Directorate has opened applications for two schemes. The first is a Training, Certification and Exposure Programme for Homestay Staff in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands aimed at promoting quality and sustainable tourism. The second focuses on the promotion of astro-tourism by providing MSME support for the purchase of astro-tourism equipment, including telescopes.
According to the Directorate, beneficiaries selected under the astro-tourism component will be able to procure the required equipment and subsequently submit claims for reimbursement of the applicable subsidy. Homestay owners and staff selected under the training programme will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions as well as exposure visits to top-performing homestays organised by the Tourism Department.
The Directorate has made the prescribed application forms, list of required documents and detailed scheme guidelines available through the e-Gazette Portal under Gazette No. 243 dated August 5, 2026. Applicants have been advised to refer to the notified guidelines before submitting their applications.
To facilitate participation under the schemes, the Tourism Department will organise a registration and facilitation camp for interested beneficiaries. The camp is intended to assist eligible applicants in accessing benefits available under the RAMP Tourism Interventions.
The Directorate has invited Expressions of Interest or willingness from eligible beneficiaries wishing to participate in the facilitation camp. Interested applicants must submit their willingness in the prescribed format to the Planning Section of the Directorate of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The last date for submitting willingness to participate in the facilitation camp is August 20, 2026, by 5 p.m. The initiative is open to eligible MSMEs, homestay owners, homestay staff and individuals seeking assistance under the notified tourism intervention schemes for the 2026-27 period.
