Bihar has witnessed a significant increase in tourist numbers, reaching a record 8.21 crore visitors by December 2023. Out of these, 8.15 crore were domestic tourists, while 5.46 lakh were international visitors, according to figures released by the tourism department. The data reveals that August 2023 saw the highest influx, with 3.22 crore tourists visiting Bihar.
Rajgir has emerged as the top tourist destination in Bihar, with approximately 3.3 crore tourists exploring the beauty of the region in 2023. The popularity of Rajgir is evident as every other tourist coming to Bihar indulges in a sightseeing tour of Nalanda district’s Rajgir. The annual Malmalas fair in Rajgir has also contributed to the increase in tourist numbers.
In terms of preferences, domestic tourists favored Patna after Rajgir, with 76.09 lakh visitors, while foreign tourists preferred Bodh Gaya and Vaishali. Bodh Gaya attracted 96,328 foreign tourists, Vaishali saw 88,646, and Rajgir remained the top choice for both domestic and international travelers.
Bodh Gaya secured the second spot in Bihar’s favored destinations, drawing 20,48,808 tourists in 2023. The city’s appeal was evident, especially among foreign tourists, with 96,328 and 87,899 visiting Bodh Gaya and Vaishali, respectively.
Looking at the past five years, Bihar has experienced a steady increase in tourist arrivals:
– 2023: 8.21 crore tourists (5.46 lakh international, 8.15 crore domestic)
– 2022: 2.54 crore tourists (86,829 international, 2.53 crore domestic)
– 2021: 25.51 lakh tourists (1,046 international, 25.02 lakh domestic)
– 2020: 59.44 lakh tourists (3.08 lakh international, 56.44 lakh domestic)
– 2019: 3.49 crore tourists (10.93 lakh international, 3.39 crore domestic)
Major cities in Bihar witnessed varying numbers of tourists:
– Rajgir: 3.32 crore domestic, 81,025 international
– Patna: 76.09 lakh domestic, 22,721 international
– Bodh Gaya: 19.60 lakh domestic, 87,899 international
– Muzaffarpur: 16.32 lakh domestic, 259 international
– Nalanda: 14.16 lakh domestic, 62,855 international
– Gaya: 10.37 lakh domestic, 96,328 international
– Vaishali: 4.86 lakh domestic, 88,646 international
– Banka: 7.03 lakh domestic, 774 international
– Munger: 10.89 lakh domestic, 2,744 international
– Raxaul: 87,332 domestic, no international tourists reported.
Bihar hosts several significant fairs throughout the year, attracting tourists from across the country and abroad:
– Sonepur Mela (November 27, 2023, to December 26, 2023): 79,73,700 domestic tourists and 145 international tourists.
– Shravani Mela (July 4, 2023, to August 31, 2023): 77,08,159 domestic tourists and 36 international tourists.
– Pitripaksha Mela (September 1, 2023, to October 14, 2023): 26,42,650 domestic tourists and 41,092 international tourists.
Tourist arrivals in Bihar varied throughout the months in 2023:
– January: 19,67,659 tourists
– February: 27,61,491 tourists
– March: 32,46,227 tourists
– April: 22,62,841 tourists
– May: 18,99,844 tourists
– June: 20,72,927 tourists
– July: 1,18,99,525 tourists
– August: 3,22,48,540 tourists
– September: 24,75,026 tourists
– October: 66,03,831 tourists
– November: 42,86,098 tourists
– December: 1,04,08,268 tourists
In total, Bihar welcomed 8,21,32,277 tourists in 2023, marking a record high in tourism numbers for the state.
