Patna: The Bihar government has prepared a new tourism policy, which focusses on development of amenities through private investments at less visited tourist places.
Under the policy, entrepreneurs will be incentivised to develop tourists’ amenities like hotels, restaurants, theme parks, wellness resorts, tourists villages, tourism and hospitality centres around tourist spots. The investors will be doled out capital grants of up to 30% of the investments for raising the tourism infrastructure.
A senior officer of the state tourism department said that the new tourism policy would be process for the cabinet approval. The state industries department, which facilitate grants on investments, has already given its consent to the new tourism policy.
6.74 crore tourists visited Bihar till October this year
The department has worked out incentives to entrepreneurs for development of tourism infrastructure near the tourists places due to heavy inflow of tourists this year. Till October this year, around 6.74 crore tourists visited Bihar. Around 2.53 crore tourists, majority of who constitute domestic tourists, toured different places across the state in 2022. Most of the tourists come here to visit the places of religious importance and heritage.
For the first time, visits for meeting, conferences, exhibition and weekend tourism are being encouraged under the tourism policy. For the purpose, emphasis will also be given on smooth transport facility for the visitors. Officials of the tourism department said that people would be encouraged to develop infrastructure like wellness centres, theme parks, theme restaurants, entertainment zone, sound and light show, etc.
Entrepreneurs to get grant up to 30% of investment
The proposed policy envisages offering grant up to 30% or ₹2 crore on the investments worth up to ₹10 crore. Investment worth up to ₹50 crore will receive grant up to 25% or ₹7.50 crore. Any investment more than ₹50 crore will be entitled for grant of 25% or ₹15 crore from the government. Entrepreneurs will be getting additional 5% grant on development of tourists amenities at Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali and Valmikinagar.
64 tourist spots in 21 districts included in 1st phase of development
Officials said that the department has identified 64 tourist places in 21 districts for development of tourists’ amenities under phase-I of the policy. The tourist places include Kanwar Jheel and Jaimangla Garh of Begusarai, Vanavar, Biwi Kamal Tomb and Barabar hills in Jehanabad, Bhim Bandh and Munger fort in Munger, Ami Darbar, Chirand and Harihar Kshetra in Saran, Kesaria, Araraj and George Orwell birthplace in East Champaran, Lauria Nandagarh and Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran, Singheshwar Asthan in Madhepura, Dhuwan Kund waterfall, Tutli Bhawani waterfall, Shershah Suri tom and Indrapuri barrage in Rohtas.
