Bodh Gaya: Bihar has recorded a surge in foreign visitors in 2024, with 737,000 arrivals, marking a significant rebound for the state’s tourism sector and surpassing traditional hotspots such as Goa.
According to India Tourism Statistics, the figure represents an increase of 190,000 tourists compared with 2023, reflecting renewed international interest in the region after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tourism in Bihar had historically attracted between 700,000 and 1.1 million foreign visitors annually from 2011 to 2019, peaking at nearly 1.1 million in 2019. The pandemic, however, caused a sharp decline, with arrivals plummeting to 308,000 in 2020 and just 1,000 in 2021. A gradual recovery began in 2022, rising to 87,000 tourists, followed by 547,000 in 2023 and the current figure of 737,000.
Bodh Gaya: The Global Draw
Experts attribute the growth largely to the renewed global interest in Bihar’s Buddhist circuit, centred on Bodh Gaya. Pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar and Vietnam have returned in large numbers, reigniting the state’s religious tourism sector.
Improved air connectivity to Gaya and Patna, upgraded road networks, and expanded accommodation facilities have also played a key role, according to tourism consultant Abhijit Kumar.
Religious and Cultural Tourism Driving Local Economy
The rise in international visitors has coincided with a resurgence in religious and cultural events across Bihar. Historical sites including Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali and Pawapuri have seen a steady influx of international pilgrim groups, boosting the hospitality and travel sectors and generating local employment opportunities.
PK Agarwal, president of the Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said: “With further promotion of the Buddhist circuit abroad, targeted marketing, cruise tourism, and heritage walks, Bihar has the potential to surpass its pre-pandemic tourism levels.”
