Tourists from Buddhist countries to get Visas on Arrival

Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister for Tourism, Government of India, recently said that tourists from countries having a sizable Buddhist population, such as Thailand and Malaysia, would be provided Visas on Arrival (VOA). While inaugurating a two-day International Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi, yesterday, he said that the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India had also decided to develop a ghat in Varanasi in the name of Lord Buddha on the bank of river Ganga. He said that MoT had adopted a Keep India Clean Mission in Indian cities, particularly tourist places, to attract maximum tourists. The Minister appealed to the state governments to take initiatives for the success of this Mission, according to a PIB report. He assured local administrations full cooperation of MoT to keep Varanasi clean.

The conclave is being held with a view to showcase the Buddhist Heritage of India. The delegates at the conclave include the International Buddhist scholars, tour operators and media both domestic and international who actively promote Buddhist Tourism. Among the 130 overseas guests present at the conclave are Buddhist scholars, tour operators and media representatives - mainstream media and travel journalists - from 30 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, China, France, Holland, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Phillipines, Russia, South Africa, Sri lanka, Thailand, UK and Vietnam. More than one hundred Indian tour operators, scholars and media personnel from 16 states/union territories like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Bihar are also attending the conclave.

The sessions at the conclave include technical sessions on Buddhism for scholars, and travel and tourism sessions for the media and tour operators. The delegates will also be taken for visits to Bodh Gaya and Nalanda. The conclave in India is being organised after two years, with the last conclave organised in Nalanda in February 2010. The conclave is an important tourism marketing event designed to bring together international buyers from around the world, particularly from popular Buddhist destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and China, to interact, promote and sell, with the objective of increasing tourist arrivals to India and specifically to Buddhist sites in different states.

Sahai said India, being the land of origin of Buddhism, is the main attraction for Buddhist tourists from across the globe. He said that MoT was drawing up plans to attract more tourists from Buddhist countries by providing them special facilities. MoT is continuing with its efforts in identifying more and more Buddhist circuits and developing them in a holistic and integrated manner.

Sahai announced that MoT had identified three circuits to be developed as part of Buddhist circuits during the 12th Five Year Plan period. The first circuit will be the Dharmayatra or the Sacred Circuit, a five-to-seven-day tour, including visits to Gaya (Bodhgaya), Varanasi (Sarnath), Kushinagar, Piparva (Kapilvastu), along with a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal. The second circuit will be an extended Dharmayatra or extended Sacred Circuit, called Retracing Buddha’s Footsteps, a ten-to-15-day tour that will include visits to Bodhgaya (Nalanda, Rajgir, Barabar caves, Pragbodhi Hill, Gaya), Patna (Vaishali, Lauriya Nandangarh, Lauriya Ariraj, Kesariya, Patna Museum), Varanasi (Sarnath), and Kushinagar, Piparva (Kapilvastu, Shravasti, Saniska), along with a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal. The third circuit, Buddhist Heritage Trails State Circuits, will include Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) - Ladakh, Srinagar and Jammu - and Himachal Pradesh - Dharamshala, Spiti, Kinnaur and Lahaul. Sahai expressed hope that deliberations at the conclave would help carry on the process of identifying and developing more Buddhist circuits. The Minister added that tourism today was being looked upon as a driver of economic growth. India too has seen rapid development in tourism over the last few years, apart from promoting the country’s rich heritage, culture and diversity.

Sourced: travelbizmonitor