‘India can attract 1.5 million Buddhists’
To tap the opportunity of attracting said Buddhists which is in line with our overall target under the 12th five Year Plan Period, there is a need of a dedicated marketing campaign on Buddhism. Also we should ensure that the events like the International
India has a rich heritage of Buddhist legacy. There are several Buddhist destinations across India, which are important from pilgrimage perspective. There are four holy places associated with Gautam Buddha in India, which are a must visit destination for Buddhists. This includes Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment; Sarnath, near Varanasi, where he preached his first sermon and Kushinagar, near Gorakhpur, where he achieved Mahanirvana.
“There are about 600 million Buddhists in the
We should have a dedicated marketing campaign on Buddhism, which can be further promoted by our India Tourism offices
world. Even if half of them are practising Buddhism and are able and willing to travel, India can set a feasible target of attracting one per cent of this Buddhist population to attract over 1.5 million Buddhist visitors every year,” said Arun
Anand, Hony. Treasurer, IATO and Vice President, Buddhist Heritage Tourism Promotion Council.
“To tap this opportunity which is in line with our overall target of attracting one per cent of international arrivals in the 12th plan period, we should have a dedicated marketing campaign on Buddhism, which can be further promoted by our India Tourism offices as a niche segment. Moreover, the events like the recently held international Buddhism Conclave in Varanasi should be held annually. We should get more Buddhist foreign tour operators to India to further boost the growing Buddhist pilgrimage market in India,” he added.
Anand also laid emphasis on the development of tourist related infrastructure such as enhanced connectivity and creating other convenient tourist transportation options. “The Railways here can play a key role. The IRCTC should realise that many Indian tour operators shy away from purchasing their Buddhism related Mahaparinirvan and other services from its GSA. There should be another competitive window alongside the GSA route, to conduct mutual beneficial business and attract more Buddhist visitors to India,” he added.