Patna: The Bihar government has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting tourism and eco-tourism across the state by requiring government officials and employees to undertake periodic visits to tourist destinations with their families.
Under the scheme, officials and employees will undertake two-day visits every three months to tourist locations situated outside their home districts.
The government believes the initiative will help strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve promotion of lesser-known destinations and generate local economic activity.
Officials Asked to Submit Reports After Visits
According to directives issued by B Rajender, additional chief secretary, general administration department, participating officials will be required to submit reports to the District Magistrate of the concerned district after completing their visits.
The reports must include:
- Photographs of tourist locations
- Relevant observations and information
- Personal experiences during the visit
The directive has been issued to senior officials across all government departments, including:
- Additional Chief Secretaries
- Principal Secretaries
- Director General of Police
- Forest Department officials
- Divisional Commissioners
Mandatory Overnight Stay and Visits to Three Tourist Sites
Under the guidelines:
- Officials posted outside their home districts must participate
- Each trip must include visits to at least three tourist sites
- Officials must stay overnight at the destination
The government has clarified that no departmental inspections, review meetings or official administrative activities are to be conducted during these visits.
Officials said the sole purpose of the initiative is to help employees personally experience Bihar’s tourism infrastructure and assess local arrangements from a visitor’s perspective.
Reports to Help Shape Tourism Policy
The submitted reports will be forwarded to:
- Bihar Tourism Department
- Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Department of Art and Culture
Authorities said the feedback would be used in designing future tourism development strategies across the state.
Govt Pushes Home-Stay Model
The government has also directed district administrations and forest division officials to promote a “home-stay” model in tourism areas.
Under the model, local residents will provide accommodation facilities within their own homes for visiting tourists.
Officials said the initiative aims to:
- Increase local household incomes
- Promote rural tourism
- Offer visitors an authentic experience of Bihar’s culture, food and hospitality
Rural and Eco-Tourism Expected to Benefit
Tourism experts believe the programme could provide a major boost to:
- Rural tourism
- Eco-tourism
- Local markets
- Employment opportunities
Officials said the broader objective of the initiative was to give Bihar’s historical, religious and natural tourist destinations stronger national visibility and recognition.
