India’s top tourism event promoting Buddhist segment, the second edition ABTO Convention and International Buddhist Travel Mart (IBTM) is scheduled to be organized from December 10 to 12, 2019 at Bodhgaya in Bihar. The event is being organized by Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) in association with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and industry partners from India and abroad.
According to the Secretary General of ABTO Dr Kaulesh Kumar, the ABTO Convention and International Buddhist Travel Mart is a unique opportunity for the Indian sellers and buyers to interact with the eminent tourism professionals of Buddhist segment coming from Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, China and other parts of the world.
He is expecting at least 200 delegates will be attending the second edition of the Convention & the Mart. As of October 29, 45 foreign buyers, and 29 Indian exhibitors/sellers have confirmed their participation at the Convention-cum-Mart.
Dr Kaulesh informed that this edition would be bigger and better as the association is getting huge support from the Ministry of Tourism and industry partners from the country and abroad. Also, learning from the past experiences ABTO has come up with better management and facilities for the delegates.
The organizer of the event – ABTO has close connections and constant interaction with other Buddhist associations worldwide. Furthermore, the association is increasing its international networking with professional bodies for better facilitation to national and international Buddhist Pilgrims and travellers visiting Buddhist heritage sites in the region.
ABTO has spearheaded aggressive promotion of Buddhist tours to pilgrims and tourists originating from countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, China and even European countries such as Germany and France.
Dr. Kaulesh Kumar currently the Secretary General of ABTO is one of the founding members of the association which was established as a forum of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Travel industry in the year 2015. Under his dynamic and committed leadership ABTO has become the apex organization of tour operators and tourism service providers who are promoting Buddhist cultural and educational tours in India, South Asia and South East Asia.
HIGHLIGHTS
Activity 1: Peace Walk in Mahabodhi Temples Complex and around, Iconic Place of India Selected by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. (December 11, 06-08am)
Activity 2: Meditation under Sri Mahabodhi Tree (Pippal Tree) in Mahabodhi Temples (December 12, 05:07am)
Panel Discussion – Day 02
PD 1: Buddhist Tourism-Main Source of Foreign Currency
PD 2: Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism-Challenges & Opportunities
Business Sessions
Wednesday, 11th December 2019
Business Session 1: Indian Destination for Buddhist Tourism & Potential Markets
Moderator: Vinod Zutshi, Former Secretary Tourism, Govt. of India
Business Session 2: Government Efforts in Promotion of Buddhist Circuits
Moderator: Dr. Ravindra Panth, Former Vice Chancellor, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)
Business Session 3: Public-Private Partnership in the Development of Buddhist Tourism
Moderator: M P Bezbaruah, Former Secretary Tourism, Govt. of India
Business Session 4: Enhancing Air Connectivity for Potential Buddhist Sector
Moderator: Captain Nilesh Gopalrao Gaikwad, Founder, Director, Nilesh Gaikwad Group
Thursday, 12th December 2019
Business Session 5: Importance of Medical Tourism in Buddhist Sectors
Moderator: Dr. J.K. Das, Former Principal, Bardman Mahaveer Medical College & Hospital
Business Session 6: International Relation Development of Buddhist Tourism
Moderator: Md. Taufiq Udddin Ahmed, President, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh
Business Session 7: International Relation Development of Buddhist Tourism
Moderator: TBA
Hosting Partners
1. Ministry of Tourism Govt of India
2. Sri Lanka Tourism promotion Bureau
3. Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar
4. Siddharth Hotels Association, Nepal
5. Bodhgaya Temples Management Committee
6. Hotels Association of Bodhgaya
7. Bodhyaga Travels Association
8. World Buddhism Development Association, Taiwan
9. Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood, Sri Lanka
10. Association of Small & Medium Enterprises in Tourism, Sri Lanka
