Third Buddhist International Travel Mart Set for May 24

The third edition of the Buddhist International Travel Mart is scheduled to commence on May 24, with the aim of promoting Nepal as a prime destination for Buddhist pilgrimage tourism.

Organized by the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), the event will begin in Kathmandu with an inaugural ceremony, an international conference, and an exhibition on May 24–25. The program will then move to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, on May 26 for a Business-to-Business (B2B) session, a familiarization (farm) trip, a networking dinner, and the closing ceremony.

According to NATTA, the event is expected to draw over 150 international hosted buyers and more than 60 national and international sellers with an interest in Buddhist tourism. Additionally, more than 1,100 visitors from key Buddhist countries—including India, China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka—are anticipated to attend.

Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Deepak Raj Joshi, expressed optimism that the mart would significantly bolster Nepal’s visibility in the global Buddhist pilgrimage tourism sector.

NATTA has also hailed the event as a landmark opportunity to promote Nepal’s rich Buddhist heritage and religious tourism offerings on an international platform.