Patna, Sept. 27: World Tourism Day celebrations were marked with discount bonanza for tourists in Bihar today.

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) also launched three banners on the theme — tourism linking cultures — today. These banners would be displayed at all BSTDC hotels and tourist information centres.

“We started the day by giving a rose to tourists — both domestic and international — arriving at Patna airport. Also, those tourists booking rooms in any of the BSTDC’s hotel in the state between today and September 29 are being given 10 per cent discount. Similarly, 20 per cent discount is being offered to tourists availing ropeway facility at Rajgir between today and September 29. Ten per cent discount is being offered today on food bills on any of the restaurants of the corporation in the state. Moreover, swimming facilities at BSTDC’s pool — Chandragupta Vihar at Rajendra Nagar stadium were also offered at a discounted rate today,” said a senior official of the BSTDC.

BSTDC also launched three banners based on cultural tourism. One of the banners shows foreigners travelling on bullock cart in rural areas, another shows foreigners eating traditional food of the state sitting with villagers and the last one shows foreigners meditating with monks at Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya.

Earlier, BSTDC had organised a food festival at Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Hajipur, on September 24 and 25. Apart from traditional food items of Bihar, the platter also included fusion of traditional and continental food items.