As the International Buddhist Conclave 2026 concluded in Kushinagar, travel trade stakeholders highlighted key challenges and opportunities in strengthening India’s Buddhist tourism circuit, with connectivity and infrastructure emerging as critical focus areas.
Ahmad Maaz, Managing Director, Royal Tours Group, which served as the travel partner for the conclave, said, “The key challenges include limited direct international connectivity, inconsistent on-ground infrastructure across destinations, and a lack of standardized, high-quality hospitality services. Additionally, awareness and structured marketing of the Buddhist circuit in key global markets still need strengthening.”
He noted that while strong demand is being witnessed from Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, along with Japan and South Korea, significant potential remains untapped in Europe and North America, where interest in spiritual and experiential tourism is growing.
Highlighting on-ground gaps, Maaz pointed out the need for more curated and immersive itineraries in Kushinagar. “There is a need for more curated and immersive itineraries, including guided storytelling, cultural experiences, and improved last-mile connectivity. On-ground services such as multilingual guides, quality hotels, and seamless transport coordination can also be further enhanced,” he said.
On positioning Kushinagar as a standalone destination, he emphasised the importance of branding and experience-led tourism. “To position Kushinagar as a primary destination, it requires stronger destination branding, development of experiential tourism such as meditation retreats and cultural programmes, improved infrastructure, and longer-stay itineraries. Strategic international promotions and better air connectivity will also play a crucial role,” Maaz added.
The conclave brought together policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and international participants to deliberate on strengthening Buddhist tourism and enhancing Kushinagar’s position on the global travel map.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
