Buddhist International Travel Mart

Explore the Buddhaland Nepal

Overview

BITM INTRODUCTION

The Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) is an annual event organized by the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA). The main goal of BITM is to showcase Nepal’s rich potential in Buddhist pilgrimage tourism. By highlighting sacred sites like Lumbini—the birthplace of Gautam Buddha—and heritage areas in the Kathmandu Valley, the event helps promote Nepal as a global hub for peace and spirituality. BITM also introduces new tourism products that loc..

Participation

WHO CAN BE PART OF BITM 2025?

All tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal and the Buddhist region are welcome to join BITM as Sellers, where they’ll have the chance to connect and do business directly with international buyers—hosted and supported by the event. International tour operators can join as Buyers and meet Sellers face-to-face during the Mart. Registered Visitors and Sponsors will have access to the conference and exhibition venues, though not the one-on-one B2B meetings. ..

View More 2019 Glimpses 2023 Glimpses

Benefits

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

BITM positions Nepal as a global spiritual hub for Buddhist pilgrimage and cultural travellers around the world. Local communities in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and largely Nepal, benefit economically by offering their products and services to visitors. At the same time, tourism entrepreneurs gain opportunities to expand their offerings, while hotels, restaurants, transport providers, and airlines see increased business from the event’s national and international reach. ..

Our Speakers

Meet our most valued BITM Speakers

01:00 PM

Intelligent house cleaning

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SARAH KELLY

03:00 PM

How i became a spider

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PETER PARKER

05:00 PM

"Event Marketing" book presentation

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MICHAEL SNOW

Partner Hotels

Lumbini - Monasteries of Different Countries

Kudan

Situated about 3km south of Taulihawa, is the ancient and historical site of Nyigrodharama, currently known as Kudan or Lori-Ki Kudan. Lord Sakyamuni Buddha met king Suddhodhana here for the first time after enlightenment. Some scholars have also identified Kudan as the natal-town of Krakuchhanda Buddha. Early Chinese travelers Fa-hsien (5th century AD) and Hiuen Tsang (7th century AD) describe several events in their travel accounts including the arrival welcoming of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha by the king Suddhodhana at the Nyigrodharama. .

Devadaha

The Maternal Hometown of Queen Mayadevi, Lord Sakyamuni Buddha’s Mother.Devadaha, the ancient capital of the Koliya Kingdom, located 57km east of Lumbini, is identified as the maternal hometown of Queen Mayadevi, Prajapati Gautami and Princess Yasodhara, the mother,stepmother and consort of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha respectively. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha had spent few years of his childhood with his stepmother/aunt Prajapati Gautami in Devadaha. .

Tilaurakot

Situated 29km west of Lumbini, 3km north-west of Taulihawa, Tilaurakot was rediscovered in 1899 by P. C. Mukherji and is recognized by many scholars as the ancient capital city of the Kapilavastu, the Sakya kingdom where Prince Siddhartha spent his early life.Tilaurakot exhibits perfect features of ancient palace architecture as it is at a higher elevation secured by a wide and tall fortification wall and a moat encircling it from outside. .

Ramagrama

The Only Stupa Containing the Sacred Body Relics of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. Enlisted as UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Property in 1996, Ramagrama is a site of great archaeological and pilgrimage importance as the stupa is believed to be the only stupa that was not interfered by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC and hence still contains the body relics of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha. .

The Great Lotus Stupa

According to the German director Ferdinand Rinchen Phuntsok, the motivation to construct ‘The Great Lotus Stupa’ was derived in 1999 and his teacher, Venerable Drubpon Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche, the spiritual director of Drigung Kagyud Dharmaraja Foundation, suggested Lumbini as the ideal site for this project.Accordingly, a 99 year lease contract for plot number WB4 on the west side of the Monastic Zone was signed. .

Australian Monastery

In many Western countries there is growing appreciation for the teachings of Lord Buddha. The profound philosophy corresponds well to modern scientific views and is therefore particularly appealing to many intellectuals,and the impartial universal compassion taught by Lord Buddha is admired by all. Caused by this esteem for the teachings there is also growing respect for the unsurpassed teacher, Lord Buddha, and therefore increasing interest in the holy places of His life. .

Shanti Stupa World Peace Pagoda Japan

Japan Peace Stupa, also known as World Peace Pagoda is an early 21st Century monument - a symbol of peace and a famous tourist attraction in Lumbini. Considering the key objective of the monument, it is evident that a pagoda would be built on the land where Gautama Buddha was born because this is where he attained enlightenment and initiated the Buddhist culture. .

Myanmar Golden Temple

The Myanmar Golden Temple is one of the oldest structures in the compound. There are three prayer halls – the most impressive is topped by a corncob-shaped shikhara (tower), styled after the temples of Bagan. Also within the temple grounds is the Lokamani Pula Pagoda, a huge gilded stupa in the southern Burmese style, inspired by the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon. .

Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery

Close to the north end of the pond, this stunning and imposing wat (Thai-style monastery) is built from gleaming white marble. The blue-roofed meditation centre next door is another fine piece of architecture. Arguably the greatest compound in the monastic zone. Royal Thai Monastery in Lumbini is an imposing and stunning wat-style monastery dedicated to Buddhist practises.The beautiful designs and carving on the temple wall makes this place a must-visit. .

Phat Quoc Tu Vietnam

Vietnam's contribution has a grand roof but one kitschy lawn: its fake mountains resemble a minigolf hole. The faded grandeur is also a reminder that complicated designs require consistent maintenance. The works of architecture of the temple including the port gate,the One Pillar Pagoda, amphitheater, housing 108 rooms and the throne hall majestic,magnificent three-story high rise after shaping Everest mountain white .

Sri Lanka Buddhist Monastery

The grand and moated Sri Lankan Monastery contains elaborate and colorful murals depicting the life of Buddha. Also known as Srilanka Temple, the monastery is a beautiful Sri Lankan Buddhist establishment that gives insights into the life of Gautama Buddha and its importance in the region. The grand monastery holds several important religious events and practices, especially those followed in Sri Lanka. .

Mahabodhi Society Temple India

The MahaBodhi Society of India was founded by Anagarika Dhammapala in May, 1891 for the purpose of resuscitation Buddhism in India and of restoring the ancient Buddhist shrines at Buddha Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinara. Having its Headquarters in Calcutta its main attention has been paid in the restoration and revival of the glory and sanctity of Buddha Gaya.For this he founded the Society’s first Centre at Buddha Gaya. .

Cambodia Lumbini Buddhist Temple

With strong touches of Angkor Wat, this colorful fantasy due for completion in 2018 is already one of the most fascinating temples in Lumbini. The temple is surrounded by a square railing topped off by four 50m green snakes whose tails entwine at the corners. The compound itself has a vast outer wall decorated with intricate designs .

Lumbini International Research Institute

In 1956, His late Majesty King Mahendra formally initiated the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha. Some ten years later,during his 1967 Nepal visit, the late U Thant, then UN Secretary General,made the Lumbini Development Project an inter-national cause. In 1978,following an official request by His Majesty’s Government of Nepal,Reiyukai decided to construct and donate the Lumbini International Research Institute facilities. .

Korean Mahabodhi Society Monastery

Korean temples are historic Buddhist temples. The Korean temple was 130 years old and was reportedly the only temple to survive the Korean War.There was a monk who had met Kim Jong II during his visit to the Korean temple a few years ago. These people really wanted everyone to live in peace, regardless of their religion, nationality or race. Korean folk village complete with Buddhist temples. .

Linh Son French Temple

Linh Son Temple of Windsor, a Registered Non-Profit Charity Organization,has been located at the current site of 706 Goyeau St. since August 2005.Established in 1980’s as a private gathering-place-of-worship for the first generation of Vietnamese Boat People in Windsor; then accredited by the Linh Son Head Quarter in Paris, France in 1990. Linh Son Temple Windsor has expanded three times, each with a bigger and better facility,with the current worshippers in the 1000’s, from Windsor & Essex County to Chatham, Lodon, ON, Detroit, Grand Rapid, MI. .

Linh Son French TempleZhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery

This Chinese Pagoda, also known as Zhong Hua Pagoda, was built by the Chinese government to keep the motto of the world peace alive. This Pagoda is one of the most beautifully carved buildings in Lumbini. Apart from owning a huge statue of Laughing Buddha, it also houses a few of the symbolic things. One can see statues displaying Chinese art and culture- a few of them holding a sword to represent the unique fighting style, and a few holding the musical instruments. .

Urgen Dorjee Chholing Singapore

The monastery is located one K.T.M. north side of Fewa Lake almost 100 fit height and above more than 800 meter high from sea level. There is a guest room in ground floor, meditation center in the third floor, Lakhang in fourth floor and the accommodation for Rinpoche Guru is in fifth floor. The monastery is named "Shree Urgen Choling gumba bhumi, residence in 26th February 2012 by the honorable gurus H.H.Shechen, Rabjem Rinpoche. The physical construction was started from 2070 falgun, taking financial support from many institutions and the donors, who are the followers of Buddhism. .

In Kathmandu & Surroundings

Swayambhunath

Find peace and prayers on the little hillock of Swaymbhunath in the northwest of the Kathmandu Valley. Visitors for whom the name was a tongue twister have called it "Monkey Temple;from the 1970s.Swayambhunath overlooks most parts of the valley, giving visitors panoramic views of the city. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site. .

Boudhanath Stupa

Take an early morning or evening stroll around the inspiring white dome buzzing with energy; observe the devout passersby, light a butter lamp and send a prayer where you wish, look around for souvenirs, or observe all from a nearby rooftop restaurant, coffee in hand. Situated 8 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu, Boudhanath, is one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu, visible as soon as you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport. .

Namobuddha

Namobuddha (or Namura) is for Tibetans one of the three holiest pilgrimage sites south of the Himalaya. According to one Tibetan scribe,the name Namobuddha (“Hail to Buddha”) came into popular usage in the seventeen century, when the superstition took hold that the site’s real name should not be uttered.Situated 45 km just the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu valley is the hilltop village of NamoBuddha. .

Pharping

Pharping, about 19km south of Kathmandu is a culturally prosperous and thriving Newari town identified with the sacred site of Hinduism and Buddhism where Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava, known as lotus born God) attained the level of a Mahamudra vidyadhara and an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage sites that have been taken by large number of Tibetans and other Nepalese Buddhist devotees. .

Patan

Once, an independent and mighty kingdom of the Kathmandu Valley, Patan became a melting pot of two influential religions, Hinduism, and Buddhism.The pious Krishna (Hindu) temple, which rests in the middle of the town;into the very own town, whose entire city's architecture was dedicated to the philosophy of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness) molds Patan, to this date, as a glorious city of culture, religion, art, and heritage. .

Kapan

Perched on a hill not far north of Boudha, Kapan Gumba is one of the most popular monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Each year a large number of foreigners arrive here to study Buddhism and meditation. Kapan Monastery was founded by Lama Thubten Yeshe who died in 1984. Interestingly, a small Spanish boy named Osel Torres became his successor after he was declared a reincarnation of the great Lama. However, the reincarnation does not reside at Kapan anymore. .

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3rd Buddhist International Travel Mart 2025

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Date: 23 - 25 May 2025

Venue: In Kathmandu and Lumbini, Nepal

# Birth Place of Lord Buddha

# Find Peace & Prayers

# Most Imposing Landmarks

# Renovated By Malla Kings

# Consort Of Lord Shakyamuni

# Archaeological & Religious Monuments

# World Heritage Property

# Kanakamuni Buddha was born

Buddhist International Travel Mart

Overview

BITM INTRODUCTION

Participation

WHO CAN BE PART OF BITM 2025?

Benefits

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

Hosted By

Organised By

Implementing Partner

Airlines Partner

Digital Partner

Registration

Our Speakers

Schedule

Day 1

Day 2

Venue: Lumbini Sacred Garden, Lumbini, Nepal

Arrival of Guests, Delegates, Media, Buyers, Sellers

Arrival of VIP Guests

Arrival of Chief Guest

Inauguration of BITM by Chief Guest by lighting a lamp

Mantra Chanting

Panchasheel Prarthana

Transfer to Conference Hall

Venue: Hotel Pawan Palace, Lumbini, Nepal

Session Chair: Suresh Adhikari, Chair of BITM Main Organizing Committee 2023 and Secretary, MoCTCA

Charing

National Anthem

Welcome Address

Congratulatory Speech

Congratulatory Speech

Congratulatory Speech

Congratulatory Speech

Unwrapping of BITM 2023 Souvenir

Inaugural Speech

Vote of thanks

Concluding remarks

Photo session

Lunch and networking

Venue: Hotel Pawan Palace, Lumbini, Nepal

Title of the Keynote Speech: Exploring the Buddhaland: A gateway to Buddhist Pilgrimages Circuits

Keynote speech

Token of love to speaker

Concluding/Closing

Venue: Hotel Pawan Palace, Lumbini, Nepal

NTB's Strategy and Effectiveness for Tourism Destination Promotion

Marketing of Buddhist Tourism: Challenges and Opportunities

Role of Media on Branding of Buddhist Tourism, Culture, and Heritage

NATTA's Vision and Networking with World Buddhist Destinations

Hospitality Management: The Essentials About Hospitality

Travel industry and digital transformation: When tourism goes digital

Floor discussion, Q & A

Token love to speakers

Dinner

Venue: Hotel Pawan Palace, Lumbini, Nepal

Meditation for busy life (Special Talk and demonstration)

Responsible Tourism in Buddhist Heritages: A Case of Greater Lumbini Area

Trans-National Buddhist Circuits: Effectiveness, Opportunities and Challenges

The Influence of Mindfulness on Tourists’ Emotions and Satisfaction in Lumbini

Buddhism in daily life: Philosophy of non-attachment and the middle way

Spiritual Tourism in the Himalayan Region of Nepal: Lumbini as Nerve Center

Spiritual Adventure: A New Dimension in Tourism

Floor discussion, Q & A

Token of love to speakers

Concluding/Closing

Lunch and networking

Venue: Hotel Pawan Palace, Lumbini, Nepal