Regional Workshop on Development of Buddhist Circuit through Women-Led Rural Tourism organized in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, IndiaFriday, May 8th, 2026

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.

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