Collaboration between Nepal and India emphasized for promotion of religious tourism

Kathmandu: Stakeholders have emphasized the formulation of a common action plan to promote religious tourism between Nepal and India.

They viewed that this will benefit both the countries as they share a centuries-old close bond and similar culture and religion. They said so while addressing a three-day fourth Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) International Convention organized in Bodh Gaya by the ABTO, India. Inaugurating the Convention on Friday, Social Welfare Minister in the Government of New Delhi, India Rajendra Pal Gautam underscored the need for mutual cooperation between India and Nepal to tap the abundant potentialities of the countries for tourism. He emphasized mutual cooperation to promote religious tourism in the countries as both Nepal and India have been connected to issues relating to Lord Buddha. Resultantly, it would help with the economic and social developments of both countries, according to a statement issued today by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

Similarly, on the occasion, other participants— the NTB director Maniraj Lamichhane, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travels Agents, Achyut Guragain, General Secretary of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, Sarita Lama, central member of the Hotel Association Nepal CP Shrestha and assistant director of the Kolkata Tourism Office, B.B. Mukherjee echoed with Minister Gautam emphasizing cooperation between the two countries for the promotion of religious tourism.

In the Convention, experts will table various working papers. A business-to-business (B2B) session will also be organized during the event as well, said the ABTO General Secretary Dr Kaulesh Kumar.