Brochure Support Scheme For National Tourism Offices

Tourism is one of the revenue generator and employment creator. However, it needs to be promoted adequately. With this objective in mind, the tourism ministry has come out with a brochure support scheme. It is a marketing tool that is being used by National Tourism Offices (NTO) for promoting the various tourism products amongst potential consumers and the travel trade business. This support is extended to make sure that our tourism products and packages are adequately represented in the brochures and various other promotional materials that are produced in the international markets. The Tourism Industry could use these brochures for effectively marketing their products abroad.

Objective

The objective of this advertising support to

Tour Operators is very clear. It will be done to attract newcomers and encourage them to start India tours. The tour operators will be helped in ensuring that the brochures contain information about such India tour packages. The final goal is to ensure that the India tourism product is made visible in such brochures and other advertisement materials.

Benefits & Highlights of the Scheme

This initiative from the overseas India Tourism Offices limits the brochure support to 50% of the overall total cost. The cost pertains to expenses incurred on the brochure that is dedicated to India or for pages that are again related to India. The maximum limit is $20,000 (Twenty Thousand US Dollars). In special cases, higher support may also be considered on a case-to-case basis. This requires prior approval from the Head Office of the

Department of Tourism. There are different delegated authorities who are empowered to sanction this subsidy scheme and the same are shown below. These pertain to the overseas India Tourism offices:

Regional Director, India Tourism – US $20,000
Director of India Tourism – US $10,000
MTO India Tourism – US $5,000

Monitoring and Follow Up

The respective India Tourism offices must review the productivity of the agencies who have received such advertising support in the past. The recommendation for future support should be on the basis of such analysis done.
The return on such advertising support will be monitored regularly, and such reports will have to be submitted to the head office every quarter.
The advertising support has to be extended with the utmost care and should be based on the twin objectives of productivity and potential.
The respective overseas India Tourism offices will have to send a copy of all the related promotional & advertisement material. This should be submitted along with the statement of support provided to the head office every quarter.

Eligibility Process

The scheme is open for tour operators who have a presence in some of the major countries of the world. They should have adequate experience and expertise in operating tours across India. One of the most important requirements is that the tour operators should promote India very aggressively in their advertisement and sales promotion campaigns in foreign countries. The objective of the scheme is to encourage a visit to India by more number of

foreign tourists on a yearly basis.

Registration Process

The support for brochures may be considered after taking into account the overall profile of the company. Its potential and productivity will also be taken into account. There is a prescribed format for applying for brochure support, and the same can be accessed from the following link:

/sites/default/files/020120120437800.pdf The application for brochure support should contain pertinent information, including the following:

Personal details like tour operator’s name, address, phone number and fax number.
Total number of years of experience.
How many years is India being promoted as a tourist destination?
Other destinations, if any sold.
Will the brochure be exclusive about India or a part of the many brochures being covered?
How many pages will be devoted to India in the brochure?
Total number of copies of brochures that are being printed?
How long will the brochure be valid?
Mode of distribution of brochures (directly or through retailers or other sources).
Cost incurred for printing the brochures. Proper bill to be attached.
Number of tourists handled during the previous years.
How many of such tourists visited India?
Number of tourists expected to visit India during the current year.
Financial assistance needed from Government of India under Brochure Support Scheme.
Other efforts being made to promote India, including direct promotion, advertisements, participating in events, travel marts, etc.
3 copies of the brochure to be attached to the applications.
Bank account details of tour operators.

Once the above details are submitted to the respective authorities (DTO/MTO/AD), the entire application will be appraised and analysed by the relevant authorities. The cost of the brochures will also be worked out, and if all other mandated requirements are met, the authorities will sanction USD equivalent to a maximum of 50% of the brochure cost of US$20,000 whichever is higher. In some very special cases, a higher amount in excess of $20,000 may be considered, but this will be on a very selective basis. Further details regarding the scheme may also be found below:

More details can also be heard from:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brochure Support Scheme for National Tourism Offices.

The Brochure Support Scheme is an initiative by the Indian Tourism Ministry to provide financial assistance to National Tourism Offices (NTOs) and tour operators for promoting India as a tourist destination through brochures and other promotional materials. The scheme aims to make Indian tourism products and packages more visible in international markets.

Tour operators who have a significant presence in major countries, adequate experience in operating tours across India, and aggressively promote India in their advertising and sales campaigns in foreign countries are eligible to apply for the Brochure Support Scheme.

The scheme limits the brochure support to 50% of the overall total cost, with a maximum limit of $20,000 (Twenty Thousand US Dollars). In special cases, higher support may also be considered on a case-to-case basis with prior approval from the Head Office of the Department of Tourism.

The respective India Tourism offices review the productivity and potential of the tour operators who have received advertising support in the past. The financial assistance is determined based on this analysis, taking into account the twin objectives of productivity and potential.

The application for brochure support should include details such as the tour operator's name, address, years of experience, destinations covered, number of brochures to be printed, cost incurred, number of tourists handled, financial assistance needed, and other promotional efforts. Three copies of the brochure should also be attached.

The respective authorities (DTO/MTO/AD) appraise and analyze the entire application, work out the cost of the brochures, and if all mandated requirements are met, sanction the financial assistance within the prescribed limits.

The respective India Tourism offices monitor the return on the advertising support regularly and submit reports to the head office every quarter. They also send copies of all related promotional and advertisement materials along with the statement of support provided.

Yes, there is a prescribed format for applying for brochure support, which can be accessed from the provided link: /sites/default/files/020120120437800.pdf.

In some very special cases, financial assistance higher than $20,000 may be considered, but this will be on a very selective basis and with prior approval from the Head Office of the Department of Tourism.

The primary objectives of the Brochure Support Scheme are to attract new tour operators to start India tours, ensure adequate representation of Indian tourism products and packages in brochures and promotional materials, and ultimately increase the number of foreign tourists visiting India.