Patna: The Bihar government is preparing a comprehensive tourism master plan for five of its major destinations — Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali — with the aim of improving infrastructure, increasing tourist stay duration and promoting local economies.
Officials said the plan will focus on developing Gaya–Bodh Gaya and Rajgir–Nalanda as “twin cities”, while a separate strategy will be drawn up for Vaishali.
Focus On Longer Tourist Stays
The initiative seeks to address a key challenge in Bihar’s tourism sector: despite strong footfall at sites such as Bodh Gaya and Rajgir, relatively few visitors stay overnight.
Authorities aim to encourage tourists to extend their visits to two to four days by improving connectivity between destinations and enhancing the overall travel experience.
Eco-Tourism And Local Economy
The master plan will place special emphasis on eco-tourism, alongside promoting local handicrafts and handloom products.
Officials said new attractions will be developed in areas surrounding existing tourist hubs to ensure continuity of experience for visitors moving between locations.
Infrastructure And Travel Experience
Plans are also underway to integrate budget accommodation and quality roadside eateries along major tourist routes, aimed at improving convenience for travellers.
Upgrades to existing facilities will be complemented by the development of new tourism infrastructure to create a seamless circuit connecting key heritage sites.
International Outreach
As part of efforts to boost tourism visibility, a delegation of 22 social media influencers from South and Southeast Asia has arrived in Patna for a four-day visit.
The group includes participants from countries such as Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. The delegation is scheduled to visit Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodh Gaya before travelling to other parts of India.
Officials said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to position Bihar as a multi-day tourism destination, combining heritage, spirituality and cultural experiences.
