Tourism in Bhutan

Tourism in Bhutan began in 1974, when the Government of Bhutan, in an effort to raise revenue and to promote Bhutanese unique culture and traditions to the outside world, opened its isolated country to foreigners. In 1974 a total of 287 tourists visited the Kingdom of Bhutan. The number of tourists visiting Bhutan increased to 2,850 in 1992, and rose dramatically to 7,158 in 1999.[1] By the late 1980s tourism contributed over US$2 million in annual revenue.

Passengers disembarking from Druk Air's Airbus A319 at Paro Airport

Though open to foreigners, the Bhutanese government is acutely aware of the environmental impact tourists can have on Bhutan's unique and virtually unspoiled landscape and culture. Accordingly, they have restricted the level of tourist activity from the start, preferring higher-quality tourism. Initially, this policy was known as "high value, low volume"[2] tourism. It was renamed in 1999 as "high value, low impact", "a subtle but significant shift" While the low impact is guaranteed through the low number of visitors, it is a requirement to be wealthy to travel Bhutan[3], which leaves room for critizism and the question whether one has to be wealthy to be a "high value tourist". For tourists a daily fee is imposed of anywhere between US$180 to US$290 per day (or more).[4] Schroeder, Kent (2017). "The Last Shangri-La?". Politics of Gross National Happiness: Governance and Development in Bhutan. Cham (Zug): Springer. p. 55. ISBN 9783319653884. Retrieved 25 January 2020. To drive increased tourism revenues, the earlier approach of 'high value, low volume' was replaced by 'high value, low impact'. This represented a subtle but significant shift. </ref> indicating that the government was prepared to welcome more tourists, although "cultural and environmental" values should be preserved. In 2005 a document called "Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy" "placed greater emphasis on increasing tourist numbers by using the country's culture and environment to promote Bhutan as an exotic niche destination attractive to wealthy tourists".[5]

The Bhutanese government privatised the Bhutan Tourism Corporation (BTC) in October 1991, facilitating private-sector investment and activity. As a result, as of 2018 over 75 licensed tourist companies operate in the country.[1] All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a planned, prepaid, guided package-tour or according to a custom-designed travel-program. Most foreigners cannot travel independently in the kingdom. Potential tourists must make arrangements through an officially approved tour operator, either directly or through an overseas agent.

View of Tashichoedzong, Thimphu

The most important centres for tourism are in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, and in the western city of Paro, near India. Taktshang, a cliff-side monastery (called the "Tiger's Nest" in English) overlooking the Paro Valley, is one of the country's attractions. This temple is incredibly sacred to Buddhists. Housed inside the temple is a cave in which the Buddhist Deity who brought Buddhism to Bhutan meditated for 90 days, battling the demons that inhabited this valley, in order to spread Buddhism. The temple has been standing for well over a thousand years; it has suffered two fires, but the damage has been repaired. Druk Air used to be the only airline operating flights in Bhutan, however as of 2012 the country is serviced by Bhutan Airlines as well.[6]

Potential visitors to Bhutan obtain visas through a Bhutanese embassy or consulate in their home country.