Are we ready for Buddhist tourism?

Lajpat Rai, Chairman and Managing Director, Lotus Trans Travels, believes that Buddhist tourism in India has huge  potential and that it is time the government play its part in making the country a world-class Buddhist destination  supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and good connectivity.

Nisha Verma

Lajpat Rai believes that with the COVID-19 situation in India is getting worse, India is going to be the last destination for foreign travellers because after America, we rank second in the highest number of cases in the world. “I am still hopeful that the Buddhist circuit may start because it’s a religious destination, but that will also start when there are scheduled flights. I think business would only start from October 2021, and actual bookings would begin from October 2022.”

Rai also believes that as of now, the government should focus only on the perception of the destination they want to promote. “Hence, if they want to highlight only Buddhist pilgrimage sites, they must come forward and make the destination world-class. Currently, the Buddhist circuit is in a pathetic condition. This is the time when there is no business, and the government should start focusing on the cleanliness, hygiene and upkeep of places. Today, in Bodhgaya, there is no sewerage system. As a tour operator, I would like that they should create some basic facilities because after COVID-19 settles down, you must travel to the Buddhist circuit.”

He adds that today, with the help of private entrepreneurs and friends, people have created good accommodations. “However, destinations should flourish outside the hotel as well. Buddhist circuit has a great future. In India, for the Buddhist circuit, 95 per cent people travel by road. Thanks to National Highways Authority, some roads are very good, but the State highways are still in a pathetic condition. Patna to Gaya is 110 kilometres and it takes 4-5 hours, which is unlike anywhere else in the world. International visitors would calculate 110 kilometres of travel as a 1-2 hour drive, but here it takes 4-5 hours. These are the basic things needed,” he suggests. Rai has been advocating for Buddhist tourism for the last 30 years. “I have given presentations to the standing committee of tourism of the parliamentarians and highlighted all points, including roads, airline routes and what’s needed to be done. Bodhgaya to Kushinagar is 400 kilometres and takes 12 hours, with not tourist facility and wayside amenities during the journey. Now, thanks to the Central government, Kushinagar is being developed as an international airport. Once the airport comes, maybe the connection would also come. As a private entrepreneur, I have done my bit and my friends have done their bit by building hotels and offering transport facilities. However, we can’t do what can be done by the government, like widening roads, putting up electricity and maintaining hygienic conditions. After that happens, people would love to go there and will not be hesitant. Once the state governments encash Buddhism, they will forget other industries.”

Tie-up with IHG

Rai has a tie-up with IHG for his properties at Buddhist destinations. He added, “Currently, there is no other international or known hotel chain in Bodhgaya and this is going to be the first five-star hotel there. We already had a lot of business,” he added.