The West Bengal Incentive Scheme: Additional Incentive for Adventure Tour Operators
Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal · Central government
West Bengal reimburses adventure tour operators at 60-100%, scaled to tourist footfall.
Closed. Applications closed on 31 December 2025. The details below describe the most recent cycle.
Key facts
- Subsidy amount
- Not specified
- Instrument
- Subsidy
- Deadline
- 31 December 2025
- Disbursement
- Reimbursed after spend
About this scheme
The Additional Incentive for Adventure Tour Operators sits within The West Bengal Incentive Scheme 2021, which the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, introduced on February 22, 2021. The scheme stays in force until December 31, 2025. Its wider purpose is to extend financial assistance and help aspiring entrepreneurs set up self-employed ventures, which in turn generates employment.
Under this sub-scheme, tourism units that draw more than 50 international tourists or 100 domestic inbound tourists in a financial year — a figure that can be verified through SGST payments — become eligible for an extra incentive.
The incentive takes the form of a reimbursement covering the purchase of tents, dinghies, adventure and sports equipment, and related accessories across the designated areas. By backing operators directly, the measure is intended to strengthen West Bengal's adventure tourism sector and lift operators' capacity and service range.
Who can apply
- Eligible business forms
- Private limited company, Limited liability partnership, One person company, Partnership firm, Sole proprietorship
- Udyam registration
- Not specified
- MSME registration
- Not specified
- DPIIT startup recognition
- Not specified
- GST registration
- Not specified
- Where the business may be based
- West Bengal
- Eligible tourism projects, units, or expansion projects set up on or after February 22, 2021. - Eligible Hotel Units that started commercial operations between January 7, 2015, and December 31, 2020, and could not apply under the previous 2015 scheme because no bar existed at the time. - Units in the private, co-operative, or joint sectors, including companies or undertakings owned or managed by the State Government. - Projects backed by a detailed feasibility report. - Projects approved and sanctioned by a Central Financial Institution, Commercial Banks, or State Financial Institutions. - Units holding a Registration Certificate, Date of Commencement Certificate, and Eligibility Certificate issued by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited.
How to apply
Applications are submitted wholly online through the Shilpasathi portal (silpasathi.wb.gov.in).
- **Registration:** - Go to the Shilpasathi portal and select 'Apply online'. - First-time users should select 'Create New', choose the applicable entity type, provide the registration number, complete the user registration form, and select 'Register'. Those who already hold an account may use 'Sign In'. - **Application:** - Sign in to the Shilpasathi portal with your login details. - Go to 'ALL SERVICES' and choose 'Tourism Incentive'. - Select 'Create CAF' to obtain your CAF ID, then select 'Apply Online' to begin. - Complete every relevant field in the common application form. - Upload the documents required and select 'Save & Continue'. - Go through the completed application, tick the Declaration checkbox, and select 'Submit'. - SMS and email notifications will reach you at key stages (submission, approval/rejection). - Track the progress of your application on the 'Check status' page. - Once approved, download your Registration Certificate from the online system. - Note: Before applying for specific incentives, you must obtain a Registration Certificate, Date of Commencement Certificate, and Eligibility Certificate from West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited.
How applications are assessed
The Department of Tourism and West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited carry out appraisal and sanction of applications. A unit's eligibility is determined against parameters including the detailed feasibility report, approval of the project by financial institutions, and tourist footfall benchmarks. Before any incentive is finally disbursed, the scheme mandates three prior stages — issue of a Registration Certificate, a Date of Commencement Certificate, and an Eligibility Certificate — so that all arrangements and statutory requirements stand fulfilled.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary objective of the West Bengal Incentive Scheme?
Its main purpose is to extend financial assistance to young people and entrepreneurs who wish to become self-employed, helping them launch businesses and, in turn, create jobs.
Who is eligible for the 'Additional Incentive for Adventure Tour Operators' sub-scheme?
Units that draw over 50 international tourists or 100 domestic inbound tourists in a financial year, as verified through SGST payment, qualify for this additional incentive.
What kind of expenses are covered under this reimbursement scheme?
The scheme reimburses purchases of tents, dinghies, adventure and sports equipment, along with related accessories.
What are the different reimbursement percentages available?
The reimbursement rate depends on the area group: Group A gets 60%, Group B 70%, Group C 80%, Group D 90%, and Special Areas 100%.
What is the application process for this scheme?
Applications are submitted online via the Shilpasathi portal, where an applicant registers, selects the service, completes the Common Application Form (CAF), uploads the required documents and submits the form.
What certificates are required before applying for incentives?
Before applying, you need three certificates from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited: a Registration Certificate, a Date of Commencement Certificate, and an Eligibility Certificate.
Sectors
- Travel Tourism
- Tourism
- Adventure
- West Bengal
- Reimbursement
- Tour Operators
- Equipment
Details last verified on 18 September 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.