Bhutan Tour – BIIB Blog

Bhutan Tour and the Daily Tariff

Can Bhutan bring in more tourists at a higher tariff? According to a majority of tour operators in the country that today number around 300 it may not be possible.

In other words, it’s going to be difficult to meet the government’s target of bringing in 100,000 dollar paying tourists by 2013, when the official tariff goes up from USD 200 to USD 250 a day.

Given the existing policy of ‘high value low volume’ tourism, USD 200 a day is generally seen as expensive, because it is assumed to be the cost of the daily visa fee.

It’s surprising that, even after all these years of opening up to tourism, most prospective tourists do not know that the USD 200 a day also covers the cost for food, lodge, transport and guide services. There’s a serious communication gap that needs to be bridged.

Still, the notion that tourists may decide to go some place else instead of coming to Bhutan because official tariffs have gone up by USD 50 does not sound convincing, when every blessed year Bhutan keeps featuring as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Continue reading Bhutan Tour and the Daily Tariff

Bhutan to allow 100% FDI for 5-star luxury hotels

Hundred percent foreign investment will be allowed in the construction of five-star hotels in Bhutan on a selective basis to overcome the shortage of financial capital in the domestic market and up the quality of services provided to tourists visiting Bhutan.

However, in the four-star hotel category, as suggested by the hoteliers, the government agreed that foreign investments will be allowed up to 70%, in order to create opportunities for the local entrepreneurs. Continue reading Bhutan to allow 100% FDI for 5-star luxury hotels

Bhutan Revises Tourism Policy

The government and the stakeholders agree on an ambitious plan to bring in 100,000 high-end tourists by year 2012.

Bhutan will be sold as a high quality and low impact tourist destination which draws visitors throughout the year by building the necessary infrastructure, setting high benchmarks for delivery of services, diversifying products, and ensuring that its benefits reach a larger segment of the population.

The consultative meeting between the stakeholders of tourism and the government in Thimphu yesterday decided on numerous reforms that will take the industry forward in the years to come. Bhutan will be positioned as a responsible, unique, authentic and quality destination anchored on GNH philosophy with minimum negative impact on natural and cultural heritage. A nine-pronged approach will be adopted to bring in 100,000 tourists by 2012. These include developing an additional 2-3 circuits, promoting new products and defining Bhutan’s brand identity, value proposition and market to target audience. Aviation capacities will be built internationally and locally with domestic helicopter/airline services commencing soon to key destinations.

Continue reading Bhutan Revises Tourism Policy

Why should you visit Bhutan? What is unique?

Why should you go to Bhutan?

Whenever people (outside Bhutan) hear that I am from Bhutan, they immediately ask me “where is Bhutan?” followed by if they should go Bhutan. The answer to the first questions is simple and now growing roots in the minds of many outsiders as many Bhutanese venture out. They now know that Bhutan is somewhere in the Himalayas and not in the Pacific.

The next question: “So why should I go to Bhutan?” I have been asked this questions several times now that I am living outside Bhutan. In fact, if I got a dollar every time someone asks me this question I think I would be a rich man by now. So here I will try to reason out why you should go to Bhutan.
Bhutan is a tiny country (only about 46,000 sq. km) with [less than about 1 million people.] It is situated in the foothill of the world’s greatest mountains, the Himalayas. It is bordered on the north by Tibet (now part of China) and on the other sides by India. Bhutan is a very INDEPENDENT country. It became a kingdom in 1907 (i.e. 40 years before India got independence from British rule). Before that different parts of Bhutan were ruled by different local governors. I am so happy to point out that Bhutan was never colonized either by British or Japanese. Although small, Bhutan has lot to offer the travelers. Some of these reasons why you should visit Bhutan are listed below (not in any particular order though): Continue reading Why should you visit Bhutan? What is unique?

Total Solar Eclipse in Bhutan

Videos and Images of Total Solar Eclipse in Bhutan 2009

Early morning on July 22nd, 2009, with a small group of guests, we went to Sangaygang, a hill overlooking Thimphu valley, and witnessed what was truly a “once-in-a-lifetime” event. The morning clouds, which ridiculously hung over the valley, gave way just in time to a spectacular display of the longest total solar eclipse of our time.

The 44 Places to Go in 2009

NY Times 11th January 2009: From the Aegean Sea to Zambia, this year’s most compelling destinations are awash in sublime landscapes, cutting-edge art, gala music festivals, and stylish new resorts.

…Reaching Nirvana gets increasingly Chic. Luxurious eco-aware resorts continue to shoot up all over the tiny Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, ensuring that well-heeled travelers never have to suffer monkish privations….Explore temples of indulgence…

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/11/travel/20090111_DESTINATIONS.html

Bridge To Bhutan specializes in customizing Boutique Travel itineraries with accomodations in the boutique resorts (‘temples of indulgence’).

Happy Travels in 2009!