Bhutan marks 50 years of tourism

Friday, 21 Jun, 2024 0

Bhutan’s Department of Tourism unveiled a major campaign commemorating 50 years of tourism in the Kingdom.

It officially welcomed its first tourists back in 1974.

A host of events have kicked off and will run through the year, culminating on December 17, 2024, in honour of Bhutan’s National Day.

Since the very beginning, Bhutan embraced a policy of “high value, low volume” tourism, and has remained committed to sustainable tourism.

Bhutan tourism has steadily welcomed more travellers over the years, with a peak in 2019 at around 320,000 guests annually

Bhutan is the only country to implement a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for all guests, which is currently charged at USD 100 per adult, per night.

The funds from this go towards various initiatives in environmental protection, cultural heritage, and free health care and education for all.

“We are immensely proud to celebrate 50 years of Bhutan tourism. We look forward to a future where sustainable tourism continues to enrich our nation a,” said H.E. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan.

It plans a series of activities throughout the campaign period including:

Tourism Awards: Bhutan’s first ever tourism awards will be held in August, celebrating excellence and innovation in Bhutan tourism.

TedX Talk: Featuring multiple speakers from Bhutan discussing topics related to tourism through the years, sustainability and future projects.

Global Embassy Events: Hosting events at Bhutanese embassies worldwide, inviting media and travel trade to learn about Bhutan’s past and future tourism.

Industry Collaboration: Other initiatives include launching new itineraries and the introduction of a loyalty program.

“This celebration is a tribute to all guests who have visited us, and everyone who has contributed to our tourism sector,” said Namgyal Dorji, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment.

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