With a view to showcase and project the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India, Ministry of Tourism is organising the 5th International Buddhist Conclave from October 2-6, 2016, in Varanasi-Sarnath in collaboration with the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The conclave, inaugurated by Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister for Tourism & Culture in New Delhi, has ASEAN as a guest of honour partner. A large participation is expected from ASEAN countries which are also major source markets for India, particularly for Buddhist heritage sites. Participants in the conclave include international Buddhist opinion makers, tour operators, as well as state governments and domestic tour operators promoting pilgrimages to the Buddhist sites in the country.
Delivering inaugural address, Sharma informed, “The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned huge amount of money for development of Buddhist circuit, and has taken a lot of new initiatives in recent years for providing better facilities and help to foreign tourists visiting India.”
More than 275 persons from 39 countries are participating in this conclave, which include Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.
The conclave includes presentations, panel discussions, B2B meetings between international and domestic tour operators and state governments, an exhibition highlighting Buddhist attractions in India, as well as visits to important Buddhist sites in and around Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodhgaya.
India, the birthplace of Buddhism, and is known for its Buddhist heritage, with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha which are significant pilgrimages.
The event will give participants an opportunity to interact, promote, package and sell pilgrimage itineraries to the Buddhist sites in the country, for overseas visitors. International Buddhist Conclaves have earlier been organised in New Delhi and Bodh Gaya (February 2004), Nalanda and Bodh Gaya (February 2010), Varanasi and Bodh Gaya (September 2012) and Bodh
Gaya-Varanasi (2014).
The conclave is also one of the initiatives being taken by India as its commitment as the land of origin of Buddhism and to improve the experience of pilgrims as well as tourists. State governments have set up booths at the conference venue for interacting with the international delegates and showcasing India’s Buddhist heritage.
