ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST TOURISM CONFERENCE

Introduction to IBTC

The International Buddhist Tourism Conference (IBTC) is the first gathering of its kind organized to meet the growing demands of Buddhist related travels and pilgrimage activities. IBTC is organized to provide a platform for organizations and like-minded people related to Buddhist Tourism to enable them to connect, share experiences and learn from one another.

IBTC comes at an opportune time as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will launch its report on “Buddhist Tourism in Asia: Prospects and Sustainability” soon. The study not only has identified opportunities but also raised issues and challenges facing tour operators and pilgrimage organizers to Buddhist sites. IBTC aims to address these issues in detail via discussions and idea sharing by key stakeholders.
IBTC will introduce the theme “Building Framework for Sustainable & Responsible Development of Buddhist Tourism” to open participants’ and hosts’ minds on how responsibly organized Buddhist tours and pilgrimages can be a benefit to visitors and to local communities, local culture, the environment while at the same time sustaining authentic local Buddhist rites and rituals without corrupting their intrinsic values.

Buddhist tourism can be an important catalyst in changing people’s lives for the better through mutual understanding co-participating in practices and festivals. By visiting each other’s communities and exchanging ideas, Buddhists and travelers seeking spirituality can help create a better place, and walking the path paved with noble teachings can be a force for good.

Four Key Parts to IBTC

For the First International Buddhist Tourism Conference, it will have four key parts:

part 11. OVERVIEW - BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE & ITS EVOLUTION (Part 1)
The UNWTO will be invited to present their findings to the delegates. Open discussions will be held to exchange ideas and share experiences. Selected country representatives will also present their country’s plan and strategies for Buddhist Tourism.


part 12. TOURISM & PILGRIMAGE TOURS (Part 2)
The UNWTO to present their findings to the delegates. Open discussions will be held to exchange ideas and share experiences. Selected country representatives will also share their country’s plan and strategies for Buddhist Tourism. Panel discussions will involve senior travel executives coming from different sectors, such as travel agents, transport operators, temple caretakers, hoteliers etc all focusing on sharing information on logistics, infrastructure and hosting facilities linked to places of worships. The idea is to focus on how the travel industry can meet the needs of leisure spiritual seekers, pilgrims, group tours and large religious meetings.

part 13. BELIEFS, CUSTOMS, PRACTICES, TRADITIONS & MORES (Part 3)
This session will focus on opportunities, threats and other key issues that are vital for the development of Buddhist Tourism as an industry and its impact on local customs, religious practices, culture and communities. The aim is to raise matters and ideas in a responsible way on areas which are unique to Buddhist Tourism.

part 14. ART & ARCHITECHTURE (Part 4)
This session will deliberate issues and sensitivities relating to Buddha images and arts, such whether mass commercialization will dilute the sanctity of sacred images. Panelists will also discuss matters on professional preservation of Buddhist arts and architecture which are one of the main draws to Buddhist sites.





About the Organizers

Knowledge Media GroupKnowledge Media Group (KMG) Thailand
Knowledge Media Group (KMG) is incorporated in Thailand since 2006. Over the past decade, KMG has successfully published numerous high quality magazines and books on travel, arts and culture, including NiHao!Thailand, NiHao!MYanmar, The BEST of MYANMAR, Mekong Travel, The BEST of CHIANG RAI and Chiang Rai from the Air, to name a few.

The company’s managing director is Jaffee Yee, a publisher, art and travel marketing consultant, conference organizer who maintains a good proven tract record of having organized 4 successful international conferences including 8th ICADL (International Conference of Asian Digital Libraries and ASEAN Art Symposium.

bodhi visionBodhi Vision
Bodhi Vision is creator and developer of http://buddhistravel.com, the premiere portal dedicated to highlighting Buddhist sites and travel services all over the world. The company specializes in IT and cloud development services, and sees great opportunities in the application of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile apps and big data in the field of tourism.

BUDDHIST TOURISM FACTS & STATS: DID YOU KNOW?

507 Million

WHO ARE BUDDHISTS IN THE WORLD

97%

OF ALL BUDDHISTS ARE FOUND IN JUST 16 COUNTRIES IN ASIA

24%

ASIA'S SHARE OF THE GLOBAL TOURIST MARKET

80%

OF INBOUND TOURISM IN ASIA & PACIFIC IS INTRAREGIONAL
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