(BIHAR EYEING GLOBAL TOURISM SPOTLIGHT WITH DIGITAL AGENDA; OVER 6.6 CRORE TOURISTS VISITED IN 2025)
TTT NEWS NETWORK
PATNA | 28 SEPTEMBER 2026
The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) organized a high-level seminar on Monday to mark World Tourism Day 2026 at the Sikh Heritage Guru Nanak Bhavan on Serpentine Road. The event brought together key stakeholders with the central objective of promoting Bihar’s rapidly expanding tourism sector.
Addressing the seminar, Bihar Tourism Minister Shri Kedar Prasad Gupta reiterated the state government’s firm resolve to establish Bihar as a leading destination on both national and global tourism maps. Highlighting this year’s international theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence: Reshaping Tourism,” the Minister noted that the global focus aligns seamlessly with the strategic objectives already outlined in the landmark Bihar Tourism Policy, 2023.
“Bihar’s tourism sector is witnessing an unprecedented growth trajectory,” Minister Gupta said, pointing to recent data showing that the state recorded the arrival of more than 6.62 crore tourists in the year 2025. According to officials, this surging footfall reflects a growing domestic and international attraction toward Bihar’s rich tapestry of historical, religious, cultural, and natural heritage.
To sustain this momentum, the state government has approved a slew of development projects under the 2025-26 financial budget. The Minister assured attendees that all ongoing and ambitious infrastructure projects are being executed on a priority basis to ensure world-class amenities for visiting travellers.
The Bihar government has launched a massive infrastructure and heritage revival drive aimed at transforming the state into a premier global travel hub. Under the new roadmap, Bihar is targeting a spot among the top 10 states for domestic tourist arrivals and the top 5 states for foreign tourists by the 2026–27 fiscal year. The aggressive push is projected to elevate the tourism sector’s contribution to a substantial 6.8% of the national GDP.
Grand Religious Corridors and Cultural Landmarks
A major highlight of the state’s blueprint is the construction of a grand temple complex at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi, revered as the birthplace of Mother Sita. The state is also developing the Baba Hariharnath Temple Corridor in Sonpur and building a state-of-the-art Buddhist Meditation and Experience Center in Bodh Gaya at an estimated cost of ₹165 crore.
To showcase regional art and heritage, the government will establish the Patna Haat Cultural Centre. Additionally, under the central government’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, work is actively underway to upgrade infrastructure in Sonpur, build a Buddhist meditation center in Gaya, and improve tourist amenities at the Ambika Bhavani Temple.
Theme-Based Circuits and Eco-Tourism Expansion
Bihar is systematically linking its spiritual and historical assets by expanding three major tourist circuits:
- Ramayana Circuit: Incorporating Punaura Dham, Kusheswarasthan, and Simheswar.
- Buddhist Circuit: Connecting the ancient sites of Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, and Vaishali.
- Sufi Circuit: Upgrading facilities at Phulwari Sharif and Maner.
For nature and adventure enthusiasts, the state is developing a modern glass bridge and recreational facilities at Matsyagandha Lake in Saharsa, alongside the new Love-Kush Park in the eco-sensitive zone of Valmikinagar.
Public-Private Partnerships to Drive Luxury Hospitality
To accommodate the expected influx of high-spending travelers, the government is leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to build five-star hotels and premium eco-tourism facilities. The current pipeline includes:
- Two five-star hotels in Rajgir
- Two five-star hotels in Patna
- One five-star hotel in Vaishali
For large-scale pilgrim traffic, a massive 1,000-bed capacity Dharamshala complex is being constructed in Gaya. The government has set a strict 2026–27 deadline to complete the frontline projects at Matsyagandha Lake, Valmiki Park, and the Gaya pilgrim complex to meet its national tourism targets.
The Bihar government is launching new infrastructure projects to boost the state’s tourism sector, drive local economic activity, and generate employment opportunities.
Digital Innovation and Infrastructure
Under the Bihar Tourism Policy 2023, the state is integrating modern technology to enhance the visitor experience. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) Managing Director Mr. Nand Kishore announced that the government is rolling out an integrated website and mobile application. The digital upgrade will feature online booking systems, GPS-based services, and real-time tourism information to streamline travel across the state.
Push for Eco-Friendly Travel
State officials are placing a heavy emphasis on sustainable development. BSTDC General Managers Shri Chandan Chauhan and Shri Shambhu Nath stated that the government has made responsible tourism a core priority. To protect the environment, the state is actively promoting eco-friendly initiatives and non-motorized transport, including e-vehicles and ropeway systems.
Financial Incentives for Investors
To draw private investment into the hospitality and tourism sectors, the Bihar government has introduced competitive capital subsidy packages:
- Projects up to ₹10 crore: Eligible for a capital subsidy of up to 30 percent.
- Projects of ₹50 crore and above: Eligible for a 25 percent subsidy.
Additionally, the state has designed special, targeted financial packages to encourage entrepreneurship among women, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Backward Classes (BC), and Very Backward Classes (VBC).
In a major bid to transform the state into a world-class tourism hub, the Bihar government has announced a comprehensive policy featuring 100 per cent reimbursement of land conversion fees and stamp duties for tourism-related projects.
The initiative places a heavy focus on capacity building and employment, targeting skill development and training for 100,000 people alongside the creation of over 100,000 new jobs during the policy period. To support this massive workforce expansion, the Hotel Management Institutes in Bodh Gaya and Vaishali are currently operational as Advanced Training Institutes.
Aligning with the core message of World Tourism Day 2026, officials emphasized that Bihar is leveraging digital innovation and sustainable practices to curate modern tourism experiences while strictly preserving its rich cultural heritage. The State Government reiterated its long-term commitment to establishing Bihar as a safe, inclusive, eco-friendly, and globally competitive destination.
The announcement brought together key industry stakeholders and academic experts to discuss the state’s roadmap. Prominent attendees included Prabhat Kumar (Chairman, ADTOI Patna Chapter), Rachna Priyadarshini (Director of Your Heritage), Sunil Kumar Singh (President of BIA), Dr. Samrat Mandal (Associate Professor, IIT Patna), along with representatives from NIT Patna and Jyoti Prakash Singh of the Panash Group of Hotels.
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