The second Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) Convention and the International Buddhist Travel Mart (IBTM) kick-started in Bodhgaya, Bihar. Speaking at the inauguration, Vinod Zutshi, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said, “I congratulate ABTO for conducting this event and it’s great to see participants from 17 international countries. I think I have never seen a bigger congregation of Buddhist tourism lovers, especially when the programme is being convened by someone in the private sector. It great to see private players promoting tourism in such a manner. We all are blessed to be here at the event.” The two-day event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism.
ABTO provides a platform for religious tourism mainly Buddhism. It’s an international organisation working for the conservation, protection, preservation of monuments & promotion of tourism around the world.