The Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) India and its counterpart in Bhutan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector. The agreement, finalized on Thursday during the three-day Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM) in Thimphu, is designed to promote Buddhist tourism circuits and facilitate increased tourist movement, with a particular focus on Bodh Gaya, a key destination on the global Buddhist pilgrimage map.
MoU Signed at BITM
The MoU was signed by ABTO Bhutan president Kele Gasson and ABTO India founder secretary-general Kaulesh Kumar. The signing ceremony was witnessed by vice-president Yuki Inoue, ABTO Bihar president Manish Kumar Mishra, and other office-bearers. The event was attended by tourism stakeholders and delegates from 21 countries.
According to a press release issued on Friday by ABTO Bihar chapter spokesperson Sudama Kumar, the partnership will focus on expanding tourism linkages between India and Bhutan, improving travel coordination, and jointly promoting Bodh Gaya as a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination.
Inauguration and Participation
Bhutan’s minister for industry, commerce and tourism, Namgyal Dorji, inaugurated the BITM on Thursday along with Bhutan director of tourism Tomchu, Kele Gasson, Kaulesh Kumar, and officials from the Indian embassy in Bhutan. Delegates from Japan, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, and other countries participated in the event. Members of ABTO from several Indian states, including Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, also attended.
Focus on Bodh Gaya
Sudama emphasized that Bodh Gaya, one of the most important Buddhist sites globally, remains a major attraction for international pilgrims, particularly from Bhutan and other Buddhist-majority countries. He added that the ABTO MoU is expected to strengthen institutional cooperation and increase tourist inflow to the heritage city.
