The members of ABTO and delegates from other countries such as Nepal, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bhutan will participate at the ABTO Convention taking place in Bodhgaya from December 10-12, 2018 says Dr Kaulesh Kumar, Secretary General, Association of Buddhist Tour Operators.
Q. Kindly elaborate on the purpose and salient features of the ABTO Convention & International Buddhist Travel Mart?
A. The idea behind organizing this convention is to bring all the stakeholders at a common platform where we can exchange our ideas to strengthen this segment, attract more tourists and enhance the business of our partners. There are a large number of tour operators in India and abroad who are engaged in Buddhist segment they need to come together to promote and get more from this segment. This Convention is a unique opportunity for our delegates to meet and interact with tourism professionals coming from Asian Countries and other parts of the world. Apart from this, we aim to spread the message among the travellers of this segment that we are ready to facilitate their tour and offer a world class experience.
Q. What number are you expecting from India and abroad at the Convention?
A: We are expecting at least 5000 delegates including industry stakeholders, scholars, monks and pilgrimage tourist who will attend the event. At the Buddhist Travel Mart there would be more than 200 industry stakeholders who will be showcasing their products and services. The members of ABTO and delegates from other countries such as Nepal, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bhutan will participate in a large number.
Q. What is the structure of the convention; kindly elaborate on the business sessions & speakers?
A. Our prime focus would be on discussing and sharing our thoughts on how to protect, and preserve the Buddhist monuments and spread awareness about Buddhist culture across the world, especially in Asian countries. We will discuss the ways to coordinate with governments (centre & state) for the development of world class infrastructure at Buddhist sites across the country.
In an attempt to conduct brain storming sessions we have invited prominent scholars such as Dr. Ravindra Pant – Former Vice-Chancellor Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Ravi Bankar – Consultant Buddhist Circuit Development World Bank, Bangmo Dc – Director, International Tripitaka Chanting Foundation, to educate our members and delegates.
Q. How do you look at the potential of Buddhist Tourism? Which are the most important destinations that can attract a huge chunk of travellers?
A. There are immense opportunities to attract a large chunk of tourist who wants to visit the Buddhist sites at least once in their lifetime. In India more than 25 States have magnificent Buddhist sites related to Lord Buddha that can attract tourist from across the globe.
If we could explore, protect and develop world class infrastructure, the number of tourist can go up to 100 times. Destinations such as Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Kesaria, Sravasti, Sankasia, Kaushambi, Vaishali etc are jewel of this segment.
Q. What are the challenges in front of the tour operators promoting this segment? How ABTO is dealing with them?
A. As we know there are challenges in every segment, and Buddhist Tourism is not an exceptional in this area. There are certain challenges that need to be addressed properly and for that we are planning to organize a panel discussion in days to come on ‘Challenges & Opportunities’ for tour operators of Buddhist segment.
Q. How has been ABTO’s journey over the years? Kindly throw the some lights on the initiatives taken by ABTO?
A: Despite having world’s best Buddhist Sites in India our country in not getting the deserving number of tourist. And there have been a number of challenges and factors that hindering the growth of this segment. We have experienced that other countries are promoting this segment better than us and getting good results. So, me along with some likeminded people decided to form an association where we can educate the professionals of this segment and promote our destinations in India and abroad.
Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) was established with the sole aim to ‘UNITE ON THE BUDDHA’S PATH’. ABTO is the platform where all stakeholders/scholars who are connected with the Buddhist Pilgrimage or any other sector of tourism and hospitality around the world specially the Asian Countries, can join our association and participate in our events to explore and promote Buddhist Tourism segment together.
So, in just two years we are working very closely with the Government of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka along with the international organizations such as World Bank, IATO, NATTA, IBC etc.
Q. What kind of support are you getting from the Ministry of Tourism? Is there any proposal/suggestion from ABTO to Centre or State Government?
A: As I mentioned, we are working very closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and various State Tourism Boards such as Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh etc and getting huge support from all of them. During international Buddhist Conclave (organised by Ministry of Tourism) we have submitted our feedback and proposals to the Government which is under consideration.
