Group discussion > Bihar more happening tourist spot than Goa?
Bihar more happening tourist spot than Goa?
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Rajesh Kumar
489 days ago |
Celebrated as the party destination in India, Goa appears to have lost its 'happening' tag to the humble Bihar. Data collected by the Union tourism ministry appears to indicate that Bihar attracted a larger number of foreign tourists in 2009 than Goa.
The government's India Tourism Statistics report shows that while 4.2 lakh foreign tourists visited Bihar in 2009, Goa drew about 3.7 lakh losing its place in the top 10 destinations in India. Industry hands say that the economic downturn was largely responsible for the sharp decline in the number of tourists. Increasing number of adverse reports on the safety of women and declining law and order situation may also have been responsible for the drop in numbers. In fact states like Kerala and Rajasthan that have been hot international favourites have suffered the most in 2009 thanks to the global economic situation. While the number of foreign tourist arrivals dropped by 27% in Rajasthan from 14.7 lakh in 2009 to 10.7 lakh in 2008, Kerala saw 5.4 lakh tourists arriving in 2009. Andhra, that remains numero uno for domestic tourists, also witnessed stagnation with tourist arrivals increasing from 7.8 lakh to just 7.9 lakh between 2008 and 2009.
Delhi lost its place as the top ranking state in 2008 to Tamil Nadu that saw a 16.7% increase in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2009. The top 5 states in FTAs were TN (23.6 lakh), Maharashtra (19.9 lakh), Delhi (19.5 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (15.32 lakh) and West Bengal (11.8 lakh).
United States continued to send the maximum number of tourists in 2009 as it had in 2008. The top 10 source countries in 2009 were USA, UK, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Malaysia and Japan. These countries accounted for 64% of the total foreign tourist arrivals in 2009.
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Rajesh Kumar
489 days ago |
Bihar is well known for its heritage sites and popular Buddhist circuit of Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali, besides, historical sites linked with Jainism. But sadly these sites are just that – “WELL KNOWN!” Over the years people haven’t really visited because of the various problems in Bihar with security being the prime concern.
Kidnapping, Murders, Rapes, Robberies – A day didn’t go by when one of these things didn’t happen during Lalu’s regime in Bihar. He and his family members held onto their seats in the assembly like the necessity with which a person stays in water. They didn’t care about the welfare, protection and safety of people. It was all about power and status. But you may ask on where in India it hasn’t been this way? Yes everywhere it is like this. But in Bihar it was just beyond anyone’s imagination. Everyone had lost trust in the Bihar system whether it is outside India or even us Indians.
But then came Nitish Kumar – probably the game-changer. I for one didn’t think he could change much. But considering he had to deal with India’s most illiterate, poverty ridden, having one of the highest population states he has done a tremendous job.
Infrastructure has been given a big boost under his reign. More than 7000 kms of roads and 1500 bridges have been constructed. An equal number of cesspits have been constructed. Obviously once the infrastructure improves, the investment climate of the state would improve because it would attract greater number of organizations. This propelled a real estate boom with an 18% increase in inflow of cement as well as reducing transportation time by more than half.
The law and order situation which was once the worst part about Bihar has improved with the number of kidnappings dropping from 1425 during Lalu’s time to 315 during Nitish’s period. It is no more regarded as very dangerous to go out after 8pm. Police patrolling and also Nitish’s strict orders of clearing backlog of cases has seen 40000 cases been cleared in less than 3 years with people being really convicted.
This has in – turn helped in increasing investment by various companies like NPCIL and other private players. A state which did not have its power unit, Bihar is today at the threshold of creating history with the strides it has made.
All these factors have come together to help Bihar surpass Goa in the number of foreign tourist arrivals. Bihar has attracted around 4.2 lakh foreign tourists compared to 3.7 lakh by Goa. It’s domestic tourist arrival has also increased to 1.33 crore. Ironically tourist arrivals in Goa seem to have gone down because of safety and security issues.
But with so much of development in all spheres, tourists seem to be finally flocking to this historical hotspot. The increasing tourists have prompted the Bihar government to partner with the Discovery Channel for shooting a 53 minute documentary to promote tourism in the state and especially attract foreign tourists.
Earlier this year, a CAG report lashed the Bihar Tourism Development Corporation on its lack of planning and professional approach.
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