10/05/2026
Regional Workshop on Development of Buddhist Circuit through Women-Led Rural Tourism organized in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh | May 2026
A landmark Regional Workshop aimed at developing an integrated Buddhist Circuit across South Asia successfully concluded in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, bringing together delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and India. Held from 6–7 May 2026, the workshop focused on promoting a women-led rural tourism model as a cornerstone for sustainable and inclusive tourism development. The workshop was organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the South Asian Women’s Network (SWAN) and the Tawang District Administration.
The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Chowna Mein and Hon’ble Minister for Women & Child Development, Science & Technology, and Cultural Affairs, Smt. Dasanglu Pul. The event brought together policymakers, tourism experts, women leaders, and key stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening regional cooperation, tourism connectivity, and sustainable tourism models centered around Buddhist heritage and women-led tourism initiatives.
Key Highlights
• Regional Cooperation:
Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening linkages among major Buddhist sites across South Asia, promoting the region as a unified spiritual and cultural destination.
• Women-led Rural Tourism Model:
A central theme of the workshop was women’s empowerment through tourism. Discussions highlighted women’s roles as eco-guides, entrepreneurs, cultural interpreters, and conservation leaders. The model aims to generate sustainable livelihoods while preserving local traditions, culture, and ecosystems.
• Connectivity and Infrastructure:
Delegates identified key challenges in cross-border connectivity, including regulatory frameworks, travel logistics, and infrastructure gaps. Enhancing seamless travel across destinations was recognized as critical for the success of the Buddhist Circuit.
• Standards and Certification:
The need for developing sustainable tourism standards tailored to rural and ecotourism contexts was strongly emphasized, drawing upon global frameworks such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
• Branding and Marketing:
Participants called for coordinated regional branding of the Buddhist Circuit, supported by joint promotional campaigns, policy alignment, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Role of Festivals:
Festivals such as Buddha Jayanti and regional monastic celebrations were identified as important attractions offering immersive cultural experiences and strengthening the appeal of the circuit.
Country Presentation: Nepal
The Nepal delegation was led by Ms. Yankila Sherpa, Member of Parliament for Bagmati Province and Former Minister of Tourism, along with Ms. Srijana Nepali from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Mr. Roshan Ghimire and Ms. Suzana Kansakar from the International Development Institute (IDI), Ms. Anju Mishra and Ms. Dikila Sherpa from T-Help, Mr. Kedar Nath Sharma and Ms. Kiran Koirala from Bar Pipal Bisauni Homestay, and Mr. Pankaj Pradhananga from Impact Adventure.
The delegation highlighted identified Buddhist sites in Nepal, with a special focus on the women-led rural tourism model, connectivity among identified Buddhist destinations, and the importance of standardization, branding, and marketing of the Buddhist Circuit.
A special presentation was delivered by Ms. Srijana Nepali, Senior Officer at Nepal Tourism Board, on the branding and marketing of the Buddhist Circuit. During her presentation, Ms. Nepali highlighted Nepal’s sustained efforts in promoting the Buddhist Circuit, with particular emphasis on strategic branding initiatives and integrated promotional campaigns aimed at enhancing its international visibility and positioning Nepal as a leading spiritual tourism destination. She further elaborated on Nepal’s approach to strengthening destination identity through coordinated marketing interventions and stakeholder engagement.
In this context, it was also highlighted that the Government of Nepal has prioritized wellness tourism, with the observance of the 1st International Wellness Day on 15 April 2026 as an important initiative under Nepal Wellness Year 2027. The presentation underscored that Buddhism embodies a pathway to inner healing, holistic wellbeing, and mindfulness, positioning Nepal not only as a destination for pilgrimage, but also as a global hub for spiritual and wellness tourism.
Conclusions and Outcomes
The workshop culminated in a shared vision to establish the Arc of Rural Tourism, presenting an agreed outline of the Buddhist Circuit linking Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and key Buddhist centres across India through a women-led rural tourism model.
Key outcomes and recommendations include:
• The workshop proposed a transformative South Asian Buddhist Circuit linking Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Bihar through a women-led rural tourism model integrating spiritual heritage, cultural diplomacy, and sustainable economic development.
• The initiative reimagines the Buddhist Circuit not merely as a pilgrimage route, but as a regional framework connecting archaeological Buddhist sites with the living Vajrayana traditions of the Himalayas, while promoting peace, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation.
• A major focus is women’s economic empowerment through homestays, creative industries, eco-tourism, gastronomy, handicrafts, and local entrepreneurship, ensuring tourism benefits directly reach rural communities while supporting biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation.
• Workshop stakeholders agreed on a phased three-year implementation plan that includes the development of cross-border tourism corridors, digital tourism platforms, coordinated regional branding, policy harmonization, and stronger connectivity among participating countries.
• Ultimately, the report positions the Buddhist Circuit as a “Heritage Corridor for Peace” capable of preserving shared Buddhist civilization, strengthening South Asian ties, generating sustainable livelihoods, and establishing South Asia as a global hub for spiritual, cultural, and wellness tourism.
The outcomes and recommendations emerging from the workshop will serve as a guiding framework for future regional cooperation among Nepal, India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. It was also announced that the next edition of the South Asia Women’s Conference will be hosted by Sri Lanka.
