IIM Bodh Gaya Convenes Conference on ‘Tourism-Led Employability’, in Collaboration with NITI Aayog and Planning & Development Department, Government of Bihar
Bodh Gaya, 1st September, 2025: The Indian Institute of Management, Bodh Gaya, convened a one-day conference on Tourism-led Employability, in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Planning and Development Department, Govt. of Bihar, to realign Bihar’s tourism agenda with employability, sustainability, and economic inclusion.
The conference brought together officers from key government departments, including Tourism, Rural Development, and Skill Development besides MSMEs, and C-Suite leaders from the industry to jointly develop draft tourism circuits and an actionable roadmap for tourism-led development across the State.
Shri Dhrijesh Kumar Tiwari, Joint Secretary at NITI Aayog, underscored that Bihar’s tourism development should focus on entrepreneurship that generates employment for others, turning heritage into homes, culture into careers, and faith into future opportunities. Echoing this emphasis on outcomes, Shri Nand Kishor, Managing Director of Bihar Tourism Development Corporation, highlighted that customer satisfaction remains central to the sector and that Bihar is building a holistic, seamless experience for visitors.
Dr. Vinita S. Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, noted that the institute, being home to students from more than 293 cities, represents a microcosm of the nation. It can play a key role in connecting Bihar’s rich culture and enlightenment to its tremendous potential and unlock more opportunities for the state.
The deliberations stressed that tourism must not only create experiences but also livelihoods. Clear objectives were highlighted to sensitise officers about tourism-led employment strategies, promote cross-sectoral coordination, encourage the adoption of technology and branding, and draw on national and global models to inform a long-term tourism-employability framework aligned with Bihar’s development goals and campaigns, such as “Dekho Apna Desh.”
The event was enriched by contributions from leading voices in the tourism and hospitality ecosystem, including Mr. Prasun Chaudhary, Founder, Daily Better; Mr. Anurag Katriar, CEO, Indigo Hospitality and President, NRAI (Mumbai Chapter); Prof. Nimit R. Chowdhary, Head of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Jamia Millia Islamia; Mrs. Vishaka Goyal, Co-founder, ClincSpots; Mr. Vikash Chandra, Director, Deloitte; Mr. Priyanko Chakraborty, Tourism Specialist, PwC; Mrs. Kiranpreet Kaur, HR Director, Marriott International; Dr. Aman Jain, CHRO, e2R Rail; Mr. Pradeep Kumar Singh, Chief Butler Operations Manager, Taj Group of Hotels; and Mr. Apoorva Gaur, General Manager, Hotel Maurya. Their diverse perspectives, drawn from industry, academia, and government, helped shape discussions on employability, skills, and investment opportunities.
The vision articulated was to reimagine tourism as a platform for rural livelihoods, women’s entrepreneurship, youth skilling, and cultural diplomacy, while aligning with the state’s agenda and India’s G20 priorities for green, digital, and inclusive tourism.
Adopting an interactive, expert-led methodology, the day combined keynote addresses, panel and group discussions, and technology demonstrations to develop practical, demand-driven solutions. Sessions provided tourist guides and local youth with guidance on soft skills, foreign languages, eco-guiding, and storytelling, while market-facing sessions helped local vendors, handicraft sellers, and food stall operators adopt best practices in packaging, hygiene, digital payments, and promotion.
The conference deliberations will be consolidated into a structured action plan that emphasises capacity building, the creation of innovative tourism circuits, and strong public-private partnerships to stimulate employment and investment in Bihar.