Bihar government has given industry status to tourism sector, as well as initiated a number of measures to woo visitors, particularly from Buddhist countries. Ram Pravesh Rai, Minister for Tourism, Bihar said that the plan outlay for tourism development was increased from Rs 7.43 crore during the erstwhile RJD regime to Rs 29.78 crore in 2009-10 and the NDA government had earmarked Rs 30.44 for the purpose during the current fiscal.

Rai added that a special force for protection of foreign and domestic tourists had also been formed and a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed with Archaeological Society of India to develop sites of tourist interests such as Kesaria, Maner Sharif, Rohtas Fort and the mausoleum of Sher Shah. Religious sites including Mundeshwari Temple in Kaimur district and the famous Baikunthnath Temple at Baikutpur in rural Patna will also be developed to attract tourists.

Rashmi Verma, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Bihar said that a number of circuits - like Buddhist, Jain, Ramayana, Gandhi and Sufi circuits had been developed to attract foreign and domestic tourists. Quality accommodation and transport were being provided to tourists visiting various spots in the circuits. The number of tourists to the state had grown in recent years following proper propagation of the importance of the historical and religious sites.