Nepal Aims to Become A Global Hub for Buddhist and Spiritual Tourism

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey has announced a plan to make Nepal a global hub for Buddhism and spiritual tourism.

Speaking at the opening of the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM), Minister Pandey said the government is working to promote Nepal’s deep Buddhist roots.

Some key projects include developing important Buddhist sites such as Kapilvastu, Ramgram, Devdaha and Tilaurakot, he said and shared his dream of turning Lumbini into an “International City of Peace.”

The government is improving roads in the area and boosting air travel by expanding the Gautam Buddha International Airport.

Minister Pandey highlighted Nepal’s important role in spreading Buddha’s message of peace. He also mentioned that the government is talking with UNESCO to protect Lumbini from being listed as endangered and is trying to get Tilaurakot recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Tourism leaders like Koshi Province Minister Sadananda Mandal and Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi also shared their support for promoting Nepal as a spiritual destination. More than 100 travel professionals from South and Southeast Asia are attending the three-day event.

Former presidents of NATTA (Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents) were also honored during the event, which is focused on revitalizing Buddhist tourism in the region.