We have introduced ‘Lumbini Tourism Circuit’ concept: CM

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Bhairahawa, May 27: Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya has said that efforts are underway to establish Lumbini as a leading destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and spiritual tourism.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the third Buddhist International Travel Fair 2025 in Bhairahawa on Monday, Chief Minister Acharya expressed his belief that the event played a significant role in promoting not just Lumbini, but Nepal as a whole, as a leading destination for Buddhist pilgrimage and spiritual tourism.

The travel fair was organised by the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Nepal Tourism Board, the Lumbini Development Trust and other agencies.

The Chief Minister shared that the provincial government has introduced the concept of the ‘Lumbini Tourism Circuit’ to support the development of the Buddhist circuit and Lumbini, intending to elevate the region to new heights.

The provincial government has prioritised the development of the Buddhist circuit by integrating other significant heritage sites such as Devdaha, Ramgram, and Tilaurakot and placing Lumbini at the centre point. He also informed that preparations are underway for the effective implementation of the Lumbini Master Plan and the formation of the Lumbini Development Authority.

Chief Minister Acharya added that the provincial government has prioritised several initiatives, including the conservation and promotion of ancient monuments and archaeological and cultural heritage, the development of digital platforms for tourism information, the implementation of the North Gandaki Holy Bathing Festival and the Ruru Region Master Plan, organisation of various fairs and festivals and the promotion of homestay tourism.

He also extended special thanks to travel agents from countries including India, China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Singapore and the Netherlands, as well as media representatives from BBC, Al Jazeera, CCTV, AFP, Reuters and National Geographic, for their participation in BITM.

“Our goal is to establish Lumbini Province as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations,” he said. “We firmly believe that tourism will significantly contribute to job creation, economic development and enhancing Nepal’s international identity.”

He further revealed that the provincial government aims to increase tourism’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product by 7 per cent in the upcoming fiscal year, and to attract over 2.2 million domestic and international tourists.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the province is committed to developing Lumbini into a center for spiritual research, equipped with modern infrastructure and services, while spreading the message of world peace.

Under the leadership of the provincial government, efforts are going on to develop Lumbini as a religious, cultural and spiritual destination for both domestic and international tourists. It is widely believed that this initiative will help promote religious and cultural tourism in Nepal and present Lumbini more prominently to the global community.