Buddhonomics And More: ABTO's Convention Highlights The Importance Of Serene Synergies

The recently concluded International Buddhist Travel Mart and Convention organised by Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO), which was the association's maiden one at Bodhgaya, took up the cause of promoting and projecting Budhhist tourism and circuits with a focused approach.

- Reema Lokesh

It was a meeting of minds at the recently held International Buddhist Travel Mart and Convention, the first one organised by Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) International Convention at Bodhgaya, Bihar. Representatives associated with the promotion and marketing of Buddhist tourism places and regions from neighbouring countries of Nepal and Sri Lanka along with representatives from South East Asian countries were part of the convention. The convention and travel mart spread over three days highlighted critical and pertinent issues that this niche pilgrim tourism sector faces. From infrastructure bottlenecks to connectivity and marketing collaborations a number of points were highlighted at the first convention of ABTO. The convention received wholehearted support from the team from Nepal, with dignitaries namely C P Shrestha, MD, Hotel NANSC; Achyut Sharma Guragain, honorary secretary Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM), president, Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA), who came in to support ABTO's initiative.