The conference was inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Founding President of the Tarayana Foundation. She opened the event by gracing its first panel, “The Arc of Rural Tourism for Regional Integration, Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Development.” The panel explored how rural tourism in Bhutan, India, and Nepal can strengthen regional ties while empowering women and preserving cultural heritage. Moderated by Mandakini Kaul, Regional Coordinator for South Asia Regional Integration and Engagement at the World Bank, the session spotlighted grassroots tourism models, inclusive policies, and tangible strategies for community-led development.

Organized by the South Asian Women’s Network (SWAN), T-HELP, the International Development Institute (IDI), and the Tarayana Foundation, the conference called for actionable, cross-border solutions to advance sustainable development and women’s economic agency. Key partners included the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, ICIMOD, the India Bhutan Foundation, the United Nations, and the International Climate Initiative Project, among others, underscoring a shared commitment to sustainability and gender equity.

Bhutan and the rise of MICE tourism

The event also underscored Bhutan’s emerging role in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism sector which is a growing domain that blends business with cultural and leisure experiences. While Bhutan is traditionally known as a high-value, low-volume (HVLV) destination, the success of the 2025 Women’s Conference highlights the country’s untapped potential to host impactful, small-scale international events.

Historically, MICE tourism in Bhutan has drawn visitors primarily from Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and India, who contribute significantly to the local economy. However, several systemic challenges have limited the sector’s growth: a shortage of large indoor venues, limited international flight connectivity, and a lack of MICE-specific training among service providers. In 2019, for instance, only 904 MICE travellers visited Bhutan.

Turning challenges into opportunities

Recognizing these barriers, Bhutan’s Department of Tourism (DoT) launched a targeted initiative in January 2024 to support MICE events. The program introduced waivers for the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), a daily fee levied on international tourists—for eligible MICE participants. To qualify, events must be organized by certified Bhutanese operators and include at least seven participants (excluding organizers and speakers). The SDF waiver applies for up to four nights, with simplified visa procedures and growing flight connectivity also part of the government’s broader strategy to expand tourism.

Looking ahead, Bhutan is positioning itself as a boutique MICE destination, offering curated experiences centred on culture, sustainability, and wellness. The upcoming Mindfulness City project in Gelephu—a major initiative rooted in ecological development and spiritual well-being—is poised to further enhance Bhutan’s appeal for niche, high-end events.

A strategic vision for inclusive growth

The 2025 South Asian Women’s Conference was more than a milestone in gender and regional cooperation; it marked a defining moment for Bhutan’s evolving tourism narrative. As the nation works to overcome structural challenges, it has the opportunity to define a unique niche in the global MICE market: hosting intimate, purpose-driven gatherings that reflect Bhutan’s values of balance, community, and conscious growth.

With strategic investments, global partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability, Bhutan can transform itself into a premier destination for exclusive MICE events, serving not just as a scenic backdrop but as an active partner in shaping a more inclusive and empowered South Asia.

L’article Bhutan emerges as Asia’s new MICE hotspot est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Jumbo jets cannot fly there due to two mountains of over 5000 metres that stand sentinel on either side of a short runway. In fact, not all pilots can fly there. Bhutan’s Paro International Airport (PBH) “is difficult”, according to Captain Chimi Dorji, who spoke to CNN Travel about his 25 years working at the kingdom’s flag carrier, Druk Air (aka Royal Bhutan Airlines).

“It is challenging on the skill of the pilot,” he said, “but it’s not dangerous, because if it were dangerous, I wouldn’t be flying.”

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No radar, just local knowledge

Pilots need to go through specialised proficiency training to qualify to fly to Paro, a category C airport, like Innsbruck in Austria, where short-runways demand skilled navigation via technical landing schemes. There’s no radar that can help with the descent and touchdown, so pilots need to know the area’s geography by heart, and night time flights are forbidden.

“In Paro, you really need to have the local skills and local knowledge area competence. We call it area competence training or area training or route training from flying from anywhere into Paro,” Dorji says.

Thin air and monsoons

Adding to the complication, higher elevations have thinner air meaning the aircraft “has to fly through the air faster”. And what’s more, strong wind conditions at Paro mean all incoming flights need to make it there before midday to avoid the churn of thermals from the warm ground. Departing flights thankfully do not suffer the same issue.

Factor in monsoon season, in June and August, when winds from China whip across the Bay of Bengal and funnel days of heavy rain, thunderstorms and monstrous hailstones into Bhutan. Part of becoming a Paro-capable pilot is not just knowing how to fly between what Dorji called “obstacles” (aka gigantic mountains) but also when not to even attempt the journey.

Bhutan will welcome its second international airport in Gelephu by 2029

All this means Bhutan only has around 50 pilots able to fly into Paro, but, like the mountain air, the country’s aviation sector is shifting. A new airport planned for Gelephu in the south will be able to welcome bigger aircraft thanks to its flatter, subtropical terrain. If enough pilots can be found and trained for the seasonal changes, that opens up the possibility of long-haul flights from Europe, the Middle East and North America bringing more visitors to one of south Asia’s most enigmatic destinations.

L’article Why landing at Bhutan’s Paro Airport is among the world’s most dangerous est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The airport will form part of the Gelephu Mindfulness City masterplan, a broader development designed by BIG in partnership with NACO, Arup, and Cistri.

Inspired by Bhutan’s natural landscape

The airport’s location is striking in itself, set amidst subtropical surroundings with mountains and the Paitha River in the background. This natural setting has influenced the design, with the terminal’s undulating diagrid structure intended to resemble a stylised mountain range.

While the glulam framework of the terminal is a familiar architectural feature, BIG has incorporated intricate woodcarvings crafted by local artisans. These carvings, depicting dragons, are a nod to Kachen, the decorative wooden columns found in traditional Bhutanese architecture.

“For the Gelephu International Airport, we wanted to create an experience that feels deeply Bhutanese – calm, welcoming, and connected to nature”, BIG partner Frederik Lyng said in an interview with Dezeen. “The airport will provide an outstanding passenger experience, where generous daylit spaces, elements of the Bhutanese landscape, and the intricate carvings of the Bhutanese craftsmen go hand in hand to gently guide the passenger through the terminal.”

The glulam structure is not only decorative but also modular, allowing for future expansion. Should passenger numbers exceed expectations, additional modules can be seamlessly integrated into the existing design, ensuring the airport evolves as demand grows.

A green and serene experience for travellers

The arrival plaza in front of the terminal will be divided into four zones, each showcasing different native plants from the region. These landscaped areas will incorporate stone paving and seating, creating a welcoming environment for visitors.

Inside, greenery will continue to play a central role. A series of plant-filled spaces will enhance the terminal’s aesthetics and air quality. The Forest Spine, a large green courtyard at the airport’s core, will act as a natural divider between the domestic and international zones.

Wellness facilities to enhance assenger experience

Beyond its architectural and environmental features, the airport will focus on passenger well-being. Facilities such as yoga rooms, gong baths, and meditation spaces will be incorporated in line with the overarching vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City masterplan. These additions aim to create a tranquil atmosphere for travellers, enhancing their overall experience.

Aside from greenery and woodcarvings, the wellbeing of the passengers will be secured by adding special yoga, gong baths and meditation rooms inside the airport. This should contribute to their sense of serenity while travelling and corresponds with the overall Gelephu Mindfulness City masterplan.

A model of the new airport will be displayed at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, offering a first glimpse of what is set to become one of Bhutan’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.

L’article Bhutan unveils design for Gelephu International Airport est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The gig will be part of his  +–=÷x Tour or Mathematics Tour, which will go to Asia and the Middle East at the beginning of the year. Aside from Bhutan, the singer will also stop in China, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE and India. The overall tour, which started back in 2022, is set to end in 2025.

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Ed Sheeran’s passage in Bhutan won’t go unnoticed. The country, in which visitors are charged with a $40 visa and a $100-a-day fee as part of its “high value, low impact” tourism model, hasn’t seen much international activity in its history. With almost no embassies in the country and no international brands such as McDonald’s or Starbucks, Bhutan mostly keeps to itself.

Although Ed Sheeran’s concert will be an intimate performance with just his guitar and loopstation, it will be a grand day for the Changlimithang Stadium. The venue is the biggest stadium in the country, with a capacity of 15,000, but the latest most important event organised there was back in 2011, with a live broadcast of the wedding of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. Before that, in 2003, it hosted “The Other Final”, a football match between Bhutan and Montserrat to select FIFA’s lowest-ranked national team, which Bhutan won with 4-0.

The average price for an Ed Sheeran concert ticket might be $167 but in Bhutan, fares have been adapted to the country’s average annual salary of $1,387. Ticket prices thus start at just 860 Bhutanese ngultrum or about $10, even though those cheapest tickets have already sold out. Some spots are still available at fares of $30, $50, $70 or $100 but according to a statement by a Bhutanese government official to CNN, 90% of the tickets have already been sold and those who want to grab a spot thus need to be quick. 

L’article Bhutan to welcome Ed Sheeran in January in country’s first concert by a Western artist est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Renowned not only for its breathtaking landscapes and culture but also for its unique development philosophy, Bhutan has carved a niche for itself in the global tourism landscape. In 1974 Bhutan opened its doors to foreign tourists, coinciding with the coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk. Instead of succumbing to the allure of mass tourism and quick financial gains, they envisioned a different path — one of high-value, low-volume (HVLV) tourism. This vision has given rise to what is now known as “Brand Bhutan” which is an emblem of exclusivity in the tourism landscape.

Central to Bhutan’s development ethos is the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Unlike conventional measures of progress, GNH emphasizes holistic well-being, aligning closely with Bhutan’s approach to sustainable tourism. Over the years, Bhutan has fine-tuned its tourism policies, focusing on providing enabling conditions for happiness rather than pursuing economic gains at the expense of cultural and environmental integrity. 

I have fond memories of traveling to Bhutan a few times. Since my very first visit in 2001, I’ve seen the impact of their forward-thinking approach up close. Bhutan’s dedication to eco-friendly goods and the sincere warmth of its guides, drivers, hotel staff, and the general public have truly stuck with me. My most recent trip in April 2024 only increased my admiration for Destination Bhutan’s strategic acting ability.

I was happy to see that Bhutan has also worked towards making the destination inclusive and accessible. The ramps and accessibility built around Takin Zoo on the outskirts of Thimpu gave the message loud and clear. Similarly, it was good to see the public restrooms have accessible toilets. In my conversation with Deki Zam of Draktsho, a vocational Training Centre for Children with disabilities, it was great to learn that the paintings made by hard of hearing youth are one of the favourite souvenirs of tourists. She expressed her optimism in growing awareness and collaboration in making Bhutan an accessible and inclusive destination as her country ratified the UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) in 2023. She is confident that her organization can work closely with tourism stakeholders toward this goal. 

Chime Paden Wangdi, General Secretary of Tarayana Foundation, working to uplift and enhance the lives of vulnerable individuals, expressed her optimism about rural tourism’s transformative power. She strongly believes that tourism revenue should not be confined to urban hubs like Thimpu, Punakha, and Paro but should be spread to remote districts of the kingdom fostering community engagement, inclusive growth, and preserving local cultures. Through initiatives like Tarayana Foundation, Bhutan seeks to empower local communities and preserve their cultural heritage, enriching the tourism landscape while building social equity.

However, Bhutan’s path to sustainable tourism is not free from challenges. Bhutan decided to hike the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) from US$ 65 to US$ 200 per day when the destination was reopened after the pandemic. Needless to say, the increased SDF was not much appreciated by all stakeholders. It had an adverse effect on Tourist standard accommodation / Homestays, and the jobs of the tour guides and drivers as the number of visitors dropped significantly. Bhutan government didn’t wait very long and revised the SDF to US$ 100 per day showing a much needed pragmatic pricing strategy. 

Yet, Bhutan stands at a crossroads. The influx of low-spending regional tourists, predominantly from neighboring India, challenges its model of focusing on quality over quantity. Additionally, quick urban growth and an increasing number of tourists are putting pressure on Bhutan’s environment, risking its sustainable development goals. A recent trend of youth and professionals choosing to move to the Western world resulting in over 30,000 Bhutanese outside is alarming. People tend to joke that Perth is called the 21^st district of Bhutan. Tourism can play a major role by creating more jobs that are rewarding and secure.

Nevertheless, Bhutan has become a beacon of hope for sustainable tourism in South Asia. Its success in balancing sustainability with competitiveness serves as a model for other destinations facing similar challenges. Bhutan stands as a shining example of what is possible when vision, values, and action come together. As travellers continue to seek authentic and meaningful experiences, Bhutan’s allure as a sustainable travel destination only grows stronger. 

L’article Why Bhutan is a beacon of sustainable tourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The mindfulness city will have a rather different approach to tourism than often encountered elsewhere. The design is centered around Bhutanese culture, the Gross National Happiness index principles (Education, Living Standard, Health, Psychological Well-being, Community Vitality, Cultural Diversity Resilience, Time-Use, Good Governance and Ecological Diversity & Resilience) and the country’s spiritual heritage. Thanks to its set-up, the project should provide opportunities for the local population and facilitate economic growth in a sustainable way. To that purpose, the city envelops several initiatives regarding green technology, education and infrastructure: an international airport, railway connections and a hydroelectric dam are just some of the planned arrangements.

As 70% of Bhutan’s land surface is covered by forest and as the nation greatly concentrates on biodiversity, the plans for the mindfulness city place natural landscape at the forefront, including hills, waterways and all kinds of ecosystems already present on-site. In order to protect its inhabitants from the Monsoon season and its implications, rice fields will be installed around the rivers, facilitating the passing through of animals at the same time.

“The Gelephu Masterplan gives form to His Majesty’s vision to create a city that becomes a cradle for growth and innovation while remaining founded on Bhutanese nature and culture. We imagine the Mindfulness City as a place that could be nowhere else. Shaped by waterways, Gelephu becomes a land of bridges, connecting nature and people, past and future, local and global. Like the traditional Dzongs, these inhabitable bridges turn into cultural landmarks, doubling as transportation infrastructure combined with civic facilities”, explained Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director of the Bjarke Ingels Group.

All neighbourhoods in the project are designed around a central communal space in order to encourage social exchanges. Three primary mobility links will connect the neighbourhoods making use of nine bridges, each of which is designed as major landmark dedicated to one of the Gross National Happiness Index principles. The bridges will also serve practical functions, such housing a hydroelectric dam or a healthcare center.

As far as tourists are concerned, the city will function as a gateway to the rest of the country. The international airport in the region has already opened its doors in 2023 but the rest of the project will gradually be developed over the course of the coming years.

L’article Bhutan to build a “mindfulness city” est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

When Bhutan reopened its borders to tourists in September last year, it introduced a “Sustainable Development Fee” of $200 per night, marking a substantial increase from the previous fee of $65 (€59.70) that had been in place for nearly three decades. The government justified the increase by earmarking the funds for offsetting the carbon footprint generated by visitors. Authorities stated that the objective was to attract wealthier tourists, with the generated revenue directed towards preserving the pristine natural landscapes and mitigating the ecological impact left by tourists.

However, recognizing the need for a course correction, Bhutan has opted to reduce this fee, a move set to take effect in September and span a four-year period. According to Dorji Dhradhul, the Director-General of the Department of Tourism, this fee reduction could stimulate tourism, particularly during the peak September-December period, which encompasses various religious and cultural events in the predominantly Buddhist nation.

The move comes after other measures taken earlier this year to boost tourism did not have the desire effect. In June, the country announced that tourists staying for more than four days would benefit from a discount to the sustainable development tax. Under the revised policy, visitors paying the tax for 4 days are allowed to stay 8, while those paying 12 days, can stay for a full month. This incentive applies exclusively to tourists paying in dollars.

Dhradhul revealed in June that, since January, more than 56,000 tourists had visited Bhutan, but a significant portion, approximately 42,000, were Indian nationals who are subject to a much lower fee of 1,200 Indian rupees (€13.32) per day.

With its population of fewer than 800,000 people and nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, between India and Tibet, Bhutan only began welcoming tourists in 1974, with a modest 300 visitors. By 2019, the number had surged to 315,600, a 15.1% increase from the previous year, according to official data.

Tourism is an essential element in the country’s economy. However, the sector took a severe hit during the pandemic, with foreign tourist arrivals plummeting by 91% from over 315,000 in 2019 to approximately 30,000 the following year. Additionally, the tourism industry saw an 88% decline in revenues in 2020 due to Covid-19-related measures, according to data from the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Before the pandemic, tourism in Bhutan provided employment to around 50,000 Bhutanese citizens and contributed approximately $84 million annually in foreign exchange.

Bhutan now aims to increase tourism’s contribution to its economy from the current 5% to 20%, although no specific timeline has been established for this goal. “This is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment, earning foreign exchange … and in boosting overall economic growth,” the government has stated.

The country’s unique approach to tourism focuses on attracting visitors with substantial purchasing power while limiting the volume of tourists to safeguard its ecology and culture. This approach stands in contrast to neighboring Nepal, which welcomes a more significant influx of tourists and offers activities such as rock climbing, a pursuit that Bhutan has banned.

L’article Bhutan halfs daily tourist fee est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Bhutan has banned rock climbing and thus attracts only a fraction of the tourists who visit neighboring Nepal. From this month until the end of 2024, tourists paying the daily rate for four days will be allowed to stay an additional four days. Tourists paying the 12-day fee will be allowed to stay for a full month.

If more tourists stay longer in Bhutan, tourism can help our economy grow faster.

Dorji Dhradhul, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism

The incentive applies only to tourists paying in dollars. Bhutan aims to gradually increase tourism’s contribution to the overall economy from around 5% today to 20%, without setting a specific date. According to Dhradhul, over 47,000 tourists have visited Bhutan since January, according to The Independent. This would enable the country to reach its target of 86,000 visitors by the end of the year, up from around 315,600 in 2019.

Bhutan’s policy of sustainable tourism

In the summer of 2022, the Kingdom’s Tourism Council (TCB) announced that the country’s reopening would a renewed focus on the sustainability of the sector. There are three main areas of focus for the evolution of the tourism sector: infrastructure and services, travel experiences and environmental impact. “In the long run, our goal is to create high-value experiences for visitors, and well-paying and professional jobs for our citizens,” said Dr Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of Bhutan and Chairperson of TCB.

“The nation is keenly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as frequent rain and floods”, read the TCB statement. Bhutan will be stepping up its efforts to keep the country carbon-negative and a green destination for tourists. The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) will be raised from $65 to $200 per person per night, which will go towards activities that promote carbon-neutral tourism and building a more sustainable tourism sector. This includes offsetting the carbon footprint of tourists and upskilling workers in the sector. Indian tourists will pay a previously stipulated fee, which will be revised at a later date.

At the same time, the Minimum Daily Package Rate (MDPR) will be removed. The rate refers to the minimum sum paid by all tourists for an all-inclusive package tour to Bhutan. The MDPR has in the past often limited the tourist experience, as travelers could only choose packaged tours provided by tour operators. Going forward, tourists will have the flexibility to engage service providers directly and pay for their services accordingly.

The new measures also cover revised standards for service providers, including hotels, guides, tour operators and drivers, which will soon be subjected to a more robust certification process before they can engage tourists. Employees will be required to participate in skilling and re-skilling programs, where necessary, to boost service quality. “The changes are geared towards developing Bhutan’s human capital by equipping the population with more proficient skills, knowledge, and experiences”, said the TCB.

L’article Bhutan to lower tourism tax for visitors who extend their stay est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The prime minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering, said the kingdom’s policy of high-value, low-volume tourism has existed since Bhutan began welcoming guests to our country in 1974. “But its intent and spirit were watered down over the years, without us even realizing it,” Tshering said. The prime minister said that people entering Bhutan are not required to undergo a PCR test, but need to be fully vaccinated.

We are reminding ourselves about the essence of the policy, the values and merits that have defined us for generations

Lotay Tshering, Bhutan’s Primer Minister

Tshering stated that the aim of the sustainable development fee was to reinvest the proceeds in the future of the people of Bhutan. “While those working in the tourism sector will represent us at the forefront, the entire nation is the tourism industry, and every Bhutanese a host,” Tshering said. “The minimum fee we are asking our friends to pay is to be reinvested in ourselves, the place of our meeting, which will be our shared asset for generations.”

Bhutan is one of the most unique countries in the world thanks mainly to its geographical location, in the heart of the Himalayas and wedged between India and Tibet. But its isolation is also due to a tourism policy of low volume of visitors with a high purchasing power.

The country received its first tourists in 1974 during high season (March-May and September-November) and low season (December-February and June-August). Included in the fee there used to be the accommodation, meals, transfers, guides and entrance fees to monuments; everything was managed through an official tour operator and a part was destined exclusively to sustainable development and protection of natural resources. Bhutan has managed to preserve beliefs, traditions, temples and peoples that do not seem to have changed in centuries.

Ministry of Tourism officials see the new regulations as a way to reduce the carbon footprint, improve travelers’ experiences (more sustainable accommodations, road infrastructure, among others) and benefit Bhutanese with better working conditions.

The isolated and mountainous kingdom, with a population of hardly 800,000 people, has always been cautious of a large volume of visitors to avoid an adverse impact on its ecology and culture. However, following the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, after the first case being detected in a United States citizen, Bhutan shut down its borders.

Tourism is an essential element in the country’s economy. The number of foreign tourists fell by 91 percent, from over 315,000 in 2019 to some 30,000 the following year. The tourism sector also suffered an 88 percent drop in revenues in 2020 as a result of measures against Covid-19, according to Tourism Council of Bhutan data.

L’article Bhutan bets on sustainable travel and increases daily tourist tax to $200 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

There are three main areas of focus for the evolution of the tourism sector: infrastructure and services, travel experiences and environmental impact. “In the long run, our goal is to create high-value experiences for visitors, and well-paying and professional jobs for our citizens”, said Dr Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of Bhutan and Chairperson of TCB.

Covid-19 has allowed us to reset – to rethink how the sector can be best structured and operated, so that it not only benefits Bhutan economically, but socially as well, while keeping carbon footprints low.

Dr Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of Bhutan and Chairperson of the Tourism Council of Bhutan

“The nation is keenly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as frequent rain and floods”, reads the TCB statement. Therefore, Bhutan will be stepping up its efforts to keep the country carbon-negative and a green destination for tourists. The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) will be raised from $65 to $200 per person per night, which will go towards activities that promote carbon-neutral tourism and building a more sustainable tourism sector. This includes offsetting the carbon footprint of tourists and upskilling workers in the sector. Indian tourists will pay a previously stipulated fee, which will be revised at a later date.

At the same time, the Minimum Daily Package Rate (MDPR) will be removed. The rate refers to the minimum sum paid by all tourists for an all-inclusive package tour to Bhutan. The MDPR has in the past often limited the tourist experience, as travellers could only choose packaged tours provided by tour operators. Going forward, tourists will have the flexibility to engage service providers directly and pay for their services accordingly.

Our strategy for the revamp of the tourism sector brings us back to our roots, of ‘High Value, Low Volume’ tourism, where we meet the needs of tourists while protecting our people, culture, values and environment.

Dorji Dhradhul, Director General TCB

The new measures also cover revised standards for service providers, including hotels, guides, tour operators and drivers, which will soon be subjected to a more robust certification process before they can engage tourists. Employees will be required to participate in skilling and reskilling programmes, where necessary, to boost service quality. “The changes are geared towards developing Bhutan’s human capital by equipping the population with more proficient skills, knowledge, and experiences”, said the TCB.

“Tourism is a strategic and valuable national asset, one that does not only impact those working in the sector but all Bhutanese. Ensuring its sustainability is vital to safeguarding future generations”, explained Dhradhul. The sector is a significant source of income for Bhutan, having generated around $84 million annually between 2017 and 2019. Since the first 300 foreign tourists were welcomed in 1974, the kingdom reached 315,600 visitors in 2019, a 15% increase compared to the previous year. After strict Covid-19 measures, the country is ready to welcome tourists again, for the right price of course.

L’article Bhutan will welcome tourists again, but at what cost? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.