Parliament Question: Attracting tourists to Buddhist Circuits

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4471 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 ATTRACTING TOURISTS TO BUDDHIST CIRCUITS 4471 SMT. SUDHA MURTY: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has assessed the potential to attract greater religious tourists from Southeast Asian countries to the Buddhist Circuits in India, particularly in Bihar and adjoining regions; (b) whether any targeted initiatives are being considered to develop specialised tourist circuits or pilgrimage tour packages catering specifically to visitors from Buddhist-majority countries; and (c) whether steps are being taken to equip major Buddhist sites with trained multilingual guides, hospitality personnel and culturally sensitive services, including language support and appropriate cuisine, to enhance visitor experience? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) and (b): Southeast Asia, with its significant Buddhist population, constitutes an important source market for the Buddhist Circuit in India. To promote the Buddhist heritage along with other destinations and products the Ministry carries out various promotional activities in association with Indian Missions abroad, State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and the travel trade sector. These include organisation of tourism roadshows, participation in international travel trade exhibitions, fairs and events; conduct of familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign tour operators, media and influencers; engagement with local tour operators and other stakeholders; and promotion through digital and social media platforms. For development of tourism infrastructure at tourist sites, including the Buddhist Circuit, the Ministry of Tourism implements projects under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and Assistance to Central Agencies. The details of projects sanctioned under these schemes at Buddhist sites, with particular reference to Bihar and adjoining regions, are placed at Annexure.In addition, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers specialised pilgrimage tour packages connecting major Buddhist destinations through the Mahaparinirvan Express train. The Ministry also engages with tour operators and other stakeholders, who in turn promote tour packages to Buddhist circuits, including in South East Asian market. (c) To enhance visitor experience at tourist sites in the country including the Buddhist sites the Ministry has instituted the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification Programme to create a pool of well-trained and professional tourist facilitators/guides, including those trained in foreign languages. The programme also includes advanced and refresher courses aimed at improving communication, service quality and cultural sensitivity. *****ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4471 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 REGARDING ATTRACTING TOURISTS TO BUDDHIST CIRCUITS RAISED BY SMT SUDHA MURTY Details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan (SD) 2.0, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) schemes at Buddhist sites in Bihar and adjoining areas S. State/ Scheme Sanction Name of the Project Amount No. UT Year Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) 1. A ndhra SD 2017-18 Development of Buddhist 35.24 Pradesh Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - Amravati- Anupu 2. A ndhra CBDD 2024-25 Enriching Buddhist Heritage 25.00 Pradesh and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar at Nagarjuna Sagar 3. B ihar SD 2016-17 Development of Buddhist 95.18 circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya 4. B ihar SD 2.0 2024-25 Buddhist Meditation & 165.44 Experience Centre in Bodhgaya 5. G ujarat SD 2017-18 Development of Junagadh- Gir 26.68 Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana 6. M adhya SD 2016-17 Development of Sanchi-Satna- 74.02 Pradesh Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar 7. U ttar SD 2016-17 Development of Srawasti, 87.89 Pradesh Kushinagar, &Kapilwastu 8. U ttar SASCI 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism 80.24 Pradesh Development in Shrawasti 9. T elangana CBDD 2024-25 Buddhavanam – Development 24.85 of Digital Experience Centre ******