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KATHMANDU, NEPAL- 16 April, 2025 - Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) officially announced the third edition of the Buddhist International Travel Mart (BITM) 2025 at a special press conference held at Aloft Kathmandu Thamel, marking a significant step in promoting Nepal’s historic Buddhist tourism.
On April 4, 2024, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) jointly agreed to organize the upcoming BITM 2025 by signing an agreement, with NTB Executive Head Deepak Raj Joshi and NATTA Chairperson Kumar Mani Thapaliya as signatories. At the same program, NTB Executive Director Sunil Sharma and BITM 2025 Coordinator and NATTA Senior Vice-President Mrs. Jishwa Tuladhar Shrestha were designated as facilitators and representatives.
BITM 2025 will be held on May 23 - 25 in Kathmandu, and Lumbini-Bhairahawa on a grand scale. The opening ceremony, international conference, and exhibition will take place on May 23 and 24 at a five-star hotel in Kathmandu, while B2B sessions, FAM trips, a networking dinner, and the closing ceremony will be held in Lumbini on May 25, 2025.
The program is expected to feature participation from more than 150 international hosted buyers and over 60 national and international sellers, with key countries including India, China, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and others.
Participants are required to confirm their registration by May 10, 2025, while those who register by April 30 will receive an 'Early Bird' special discount. The official website, www.bitmnepal.com, has been launched for registration and provides detailed information about the event, itinerary, participant profiles, and exhibition venue.
The CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, stated, “Nepal holds great potential for the development of Buddhist tourism, which maintains an emotional connection with millions of people worldwide.” He added that BITM 2025 is envisioned as a strategic initiative to establish Nepal as a key Buddhist pilgrimage tourism destination in the global market. This will play a vital role in the long-term promotion and development of tourism.
The Chairperson of NATTA, Mr. Kumar Mani Thapaliya, stated, “BITM 2025 not only promotes Nepal as the birthplace of Buddha, but also presents it as a country reflecting Buddhist culture, and of historical and spiritual importance.” He emphasized that the event will strengthen collaboration between private and governmental agencies.
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The Coordinator of BITM 2025 and Senior Vice President of NATTA, Mrs. Jishwa Tuladhar Shrestha, highlighted the collaborative aspects of the program. She stated, “In order to make BITM 2025 effective and fruitful, various sessions, B2B meetings, FAM trips, and cultural programs have been included for participants. Through this initiative, the possibilities of Buddhist tourism will be presented.”
During the event, members of the executive authority, Mr. Rishiram Bhandari and Mr. Rajendra Bahadur Lama, along with representatives from NTB and executive position holders of NATTA, marked their presence.
The program was conducted by the head of NATTA’s executive authority, Mr. Raghunath Bidari. A strong commitment was expressed by the organizers to make BITM 2025 inclusive, of international standards, and fruitful.
The Nepal Tourism Board and NATTA expects an active participation and collaboration from tourism related organizations, international partners, government agencies, media, local community and concerned body.
BITM 2025 is envisioned as a historical opportunity for the promotion of Buddhist heritage through the religious tourism fair of Nepal.
For more information, please contact:
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA)
Website: www.bitmnepal.com
Email: info@bitmnepal.com
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