Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) in October 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) to promote Buddhist Tourism in India. Both the associations along with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India will work together in the field of Travel & Tourism with an aim to promote Buddhist pilgrimage Tourism, Culture & Nature Tourism, MICE. Corporate, etc. This MoU seeks to establish an understanding of the roles, commitments and partnerships between ABTO and TAAI especially for the ABTO’s upcoming Annual Convention scheduled in December 2021.
Speaking on the occasion, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI stated that Buddhist tourism has huge potential as it binds Indians with Buddhist followers from across the globe. She applauded the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, State Governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Government of Nepal, and especially thanked the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narenedra Modi ji for the support in promoting Buddhist tourism and also for the recent initiative of inaugurating the Kushinagar International Airport. With efforts like such, India will soon become the most visited destination for Buddhism followers, she added.
Jay Bhatia, Vice President said that TAAI members would be glad to share their knowledge, experience and expertise for the development and promotion of the Buddhist tourism industry in India. He highlighted the importance of having a Joint Action Committee in place to discuss strategies for the development and implementation of collaborative programmes and projects of mutual benefits.
It is indeed important to work jointly with government agencies of both our countries for the formulation of industry-friendly policies, schemes, and guidelines for the effective promotion of Buddhist pilgrimage travel and tourism, contributed Bettaiah Lokesh, Honorary Secretary-general.
Shreeram Patel, Honorary Treasurer, highlighted the importance of marketing and promotion of the Buddhist Tourism industry by jointly organising International Travel Shows/Mart, Road Shows and Workshops in India as in other countries.
