Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing Nepal as a global center for Buddhist, spiritual, and peace tourism. Speaking at the inauguration of the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2025, Minister Pandey highlighted Nepal’s unique heritage as the birthplace of Lord Buddha and called for a renewed international focus on spiritual travel centered around Buddhist values.
Organized by the Nepal Tourism Board in collaboration with the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), the three-day event brings together over 100 tourism professionals from countries including India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bhutan. The aim is to promote Buddhist tourism circuits in Nepal and foster international cooperation in the spiritual travel sector.
Nepal As Buddhist Tourism Center
In his address, Minister Pandey emphasized the importance of promoting Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha, as the starting point for spreading the message of peace to the world. “It is now time to spread Buddha’s message of peace across the globe, beginning from Lumbini,” he stated, adding, “The government is committed to developing Lumbini as an International Peace City.”
The minister also noted that areas of historical and spiritual significance such as Kapilvastu, Ramgram, Devdaha, and Tilaurakot are being prioritized as part of an integrated Buddhist tourism circuit. Highlighting the infrastructure developments in the region, Minister Pandey mentioned that efforts are ongoing to ensure regular flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport and to expand road connectivity to these key destinations.
Referring to recent dialogue with UNESCO officials, the minister shared that the government has formally requested that Lumbini not be placed on the list of endangered heritage sites. He also mentioned that Nepal is actively working to include Tilaurakot in UNESCO’s tentative list for world heritage recognition. “Nepal is now moving towards a new era of peace and prosperity,” Minister Pandey said. “We invite all peace-seekers of the world to visit Nepal and experience its spiritual richness.”
Also speaking at the event, Koshi Province’s Minister for Industry, Tourism, and Environment, Shadanand Mandal, affirmed that the provincial government is giving top priority to developing tourism infrastructure. He noted that Buddhist and spiritual tourism offer significant opportunities for regional economic growth and cultural preservation.
Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, described Nepal not only as a travel destination but also as a spiritual sanctuary for inner exploration. “This kind of international travel mart will be pivotal in re-establishing Nepal as a center of Buddhist tourism,” he said. “Nepal, the land of Buddha’s birth, is gradually emerging as a global hub for spiritual journeys and self-discovery. We are presenting Nepal not just as a destination, but as the starting point of a soul-enriching journey.”
NATTA President Kumar Mani Thapaliya expressed hope that the Buddhist International Travel Mart would prove to be a milestone for boosting spiritual tourism in Nepal. Similarly, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), highlighted the vital role such international events play in promoting Nepal’s tourism potential globally.
Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice-Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, stated that Nepal is actively working to educate the global community about the country’s identity as the land of peace. “We are trying to raise awareness that Nepal is more than just the birthplace of Buddha it is a living embodiment of his teachings on peace and harmony,” he said.
During the event, NATTA’s Senior Vice President Mrs. Jiswan Tuladhar Shrestha extended gratitude to all participants, acknowledging their role in supporting Nepal’s tourism development. In a gesture of respect, Minister Pandey also honored former NATTA presidents C.N. Pandey, Achyut Guragai, and Ramesh Thapa for their contributions to the tourism industry. A special souvenir publication was also unveiled at the inaugural ceremony.
The Buddhist International Travel Mart 2025 is expected to create new avenues of cooperation, particularly with Buddhist-majority countries in Asia, by strengthening spiritual and cultural tourism exchanges. The event aims to promote Nepal as not only a travel destination but a holistic sanctuary for mindfulness, pilgrimage, and spiritual exploration.
With increasing global interest in wellness and meaningful travel, Nepal is well-positioned to cater to this emerging market segment. Through enhanced connectivity, promotion of Buddhist circuits, and collaboration with international partners, Nepal’s vision of becoming a spiritual tourism hub is steadily becoming a reality.
