Tourism in Bhutan
Tourism in Bhutan began in 1974, when the
Though open to foreigners, the Bhutanese government is acutely aware of the
Travel operators in Bhutan
The Bhutanese government privatised the Bhutan Tourism Corporation (BTC) in October 1991, facilitating private-sector investment and activity. As a result, as of 2018[update] over 75 licensed tourist companies operate in the country.[1] Previously, all tourists (group or individual) had to travel on a planned, prepaid, guided package-tour or according to a custom-designed travel-program. Potential tourists had to make arrangements through an officially approved tour operator, either directly or through an overseas agent.
Visa to Bhutan
Bhutan's tourism policy was further revised in June 2022 to maintain its 'High Value, Low Volume' policy and all nationalities had to pay US $200 as a Sustainable Development Fee[7] per night to obtain a visa to Bhutan, while Indian nationals have to pay 1,200 INR to obtain a permit. Starting from August 2023, the SDF decreased to $100, while the amount for Indians, stayed the same.[8] However, travelers can now arrange their own accommodations and itinerary when traveling in the country.
Almost all nationalities need to pre-arrange their visa or permit[9] prior to visiting Bhutan based on the updated visa policy of Bhutan
Airlines
Arrivals by country
In 2019, the country saw its highest number of tourists yet, at more than 315,000 people. The growth was boosted by the Asia-Pacific market, notably from India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, Japan, China, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia and South Korea. Western markets also increased, notably from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France.[12]
Most visitors arriving to Bhutan on a short-term basis were from the following countries:[13][14][15]
Rank | Country or territory | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | India | 230,381 | 191,836 | 172,751 | 114,301 | — | — | — | — |
2 | Bangladesh | 13,016 | 10,450 | 10,536 | 7,753 | — | — | — | — |
3 | United States | 11,707 | 10,561 | 9,220 | 7,292 | 7,137 | 7,291 | 6,997 | 6,102 |
4 | China | 7,564 | 6,878 | 6,421 | 9,208 | 9,399 | 8,111 | 4,827 | 3,816 |
5 | Singapore | 4,744 | 3,886 | 4,129 | 3,015 | 2,587 | 1,720 | 2,051 | |
6 | United Kingdom | 4,241 | 3,585 | 3,246 | 3,124 | 2,958 | 2,680 | 2,309 | 2,491 |
7 | Thailand | 4,086 | 3,886 | 4,047 | 4,177 | 3,778 | 12,105 | 3,527 | 3,617 |
8 | Germany | 3,375 | 3,422 | 2,970 | 2,297 | 2,498 | 2,971 | 2,770 | 2,895 |
9 | Australia | 3,153 | 2,739 | 2,249 | 1,818 | 1,833 | 2,037 | 2,062 | 1,950 |
10 | Japan | 3,010 | 2,674 | 2,744 | 4,833 | 2,437 | 2,707 | 4,035 | 7,029 |
11 | Malaysia | 2,761 | 3,140 | 2,956 | 1,967 | 1,546 | 2,067 | 2,054 | 1,312 |
12 | Vietnam | 2,072 | 1,961 | 1,423 | — | — | — | — | — |
13 | France | 1,953 | 1,773 | 1,545 | 1,501 | 1,563 | 1,636 | 1,572 | 1,863 |
14 | Philippines | 1,912 | 1,089 | 1,101 | — | ||||
15 | Canada | 1,870 | 1,807 | 1,524 | 1,110 | — | — | — | — |
16 | Spain | 1,659 | 1,397 | 1,142 | — | — | — | — | — |
17 | Taiwan | — | 1,496 | 1,491 | 1,812 | — | — | — | — |
18 | Switzerland | — | 1,379 | 1,352 | — | — | — | — | — |
19 | Italy | — | 1,229 | 978 | — | — | — | — | — |
20 | Indonesia | — | 1,033 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
21 | Netherlands | — | 757 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Others | 20,007 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
Total | 315,599 | 274,097 | 237,529 | 209,570 | 155,121 | 133,480 | 116,209 | 105,407 |
UNESCO Tentative List of Bhutan
In 2012, Bhutan formally listed its tentative sites to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It was the first time Bhutan listed its sites to the organization for future inclusion. Eight sites were listed throughout the country.[16]
Site | Image | Location | Proposed criteria | Year Listed as Tentative Site | Description | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ancient Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong | Paro District | Cultural | 2012 | The site includes the ruins of a fortress-Buddhist monastery built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649. In 2016, the Bhutanese government announced that the monastery will be rebuilt to its former glory.[17] | [18] | |
Dzongs: the centre of temporal and religious authorities (Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong) | Multiple | Cultural | 2012 | The site includes five dzongs significant to Bhutanese history, namely, Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong. | [19] | |
Sacred Sites associated with Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his descendants | Multiple | Cultural | 2012 | The site includes Tsedong Phug, Gawa Phug, Langthang Phug, Sengye Phug, Gom Drak, Thukje Drak, Tsechu Drak, Dechen Drak, Taktsang Sengye Samdrub Dzong, Tago Choying Dzong, Lingzhi Jagoe Dzong and Yangtse Thubo Dzong. | [20] | |
Tamzhing Monastery | Bumthang District | Cultural | 2012 | The site is the most important Nyingma gompa in Bhutan. | [21] | |
Royal Manas National Park (RMNP) | Multiple districts | Natural | 2012 | The site is the oldest national park in Bhutan. | [22] | |
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) | Multiple districts | Natural | 2012 | The site is the second largest national park in Bhutan. | [23] | |
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary | Trashiyangtse District | Cultural | 2012 | The site is an important bird area in the Himalayas. | [24] | |
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) | Multiple districts | Cultural | 2012 | The site was established to protect a mythical race known as migoi, as well as the wildlife within the site. | [25] |
Criticism of the "high quality, low volume" principle
While Bhutan is successful in limiting the numbers of tourists who enter the country,[26] with its principle of "High Quality, Low Volume"[27] it can be argued, that a "high quality tourist" needs to be a wealthy tourist, because the hurdle of visiting Bhutan is mainly posed by the high pricing and not by actual interest or mindfulness.[28]
See also
References
- ^ a b Dorji, Tandi. "Sustainability of Tourism in Bhutan" (PDF). Digital Himalaya. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
- ^ High Value Low Volume. KuenselOnline (2015-08-21). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Kent Schroeder, Politics of Gross National Happiness: Governance and Development in Bhutan, Cham (Switzerland): Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, 54–55.
- ^
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.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
- ^ Kent Schroeder, Politics of Gross National Happiness: Governance and Development in Bhutan, Cham (Switzerland): Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, 54–55.
- ^ "Bhutan set to raise SDF to 200 USD". Daily Bhutan. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ISSN 2381-3652. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ^ "Planning YOUR TRIP to Bhutan". Tourism Council of Bhutan.
- ^ "About Drukair". Drukair Singapore office. Drukair. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Our Story | Bhutan Airlines".
- ^ "Bhutan Tourism Monitor". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ Tourism Council of Bhutan (2014) BHUTAN TOURISM MONITOR. Annual Report 2013.
- ^ Tourism Council of Bhutan (2016) "BHUTAN TOURISM MONITOR. Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
- ^ Tourism Council of Bhutan (2017) "BHUTAN TOURISM MONITOR. Annual Report 2016" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ^ Bhutan. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Drukyul’s victory rises to The Gyalsey – KuenselOnline. Kuenselonline.com (2016-02-07). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Ancient Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Dzongs: the centre of temporal and religious authorities (Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong). UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Sacred Sites associated with Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his descendants. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Tamzhing Monastery. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Royal Manas National Park (RMNP). UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP). UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS). UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2020-07-09). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Bhutan saw highest number of tourists last year – BBS | BBS. Bbs.bt (2018-04-13). Retrieved on 2020-07-28.
- ^ Nyaupane, Gyan P. and Timothy, Dallen (2016) "Bhutan’s Low-volume, High-yield Tourism: The Influence of Power and Regionalism". Travel and Tourism Research Association: Advancing Tourism Research Globally.
- 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.
External links
- Bhutan travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Tourism Council of Bhutan (Official Website)
- Bhutan Tourism Official website