Happenings

June 25, 2024The inaugural Indian Tourism Roadshow, held across four major cities in India, was aimed at increasing the number of Indian tourists visiting Bhutan. The Department of Tourism conducted the five-day event from June 17-21 spanning Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The roadshow, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of tourism in Bhutan, was also aimed at boosting summer arrivals. In May this year, 19,212 Indian tourists visited Bhutan, marking a 100 percent increase compared with April and May. In the first quarter of this year, 58 percent of the total 41,394 tourists who arrived in Bhutan were from India. The government has pledged to achieve an annual inbound tourist count of 300,000 and to increase the percentage of dollar-paying tourists to 50 percent within the initial year, progressively increasing to 60 percent and eventually to 70 percent. In a recent interview with CNA, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay stated that Bhutan’s tourism strategy is high-value, low-volume, and emphasised that the country cannot accommodate a large number of tourists. He said that Bhutan was aiming for 300,000 tourists annually, beyond which the country cannot manage. “Bhutan does not have an absorptive capacity for a large number of tourists.” The events saw an overwhelming response, with over 600 companies and 700 Indian travel agents in attendance. A diverse group of 18 Bhutanese exhibitors, including leading tour operators, hotels, and airlines, showcased exclusive offers, packages, and promotions designed to attract Indian travellers. Chief Marketing Officer of DoT, Carissa Nimah, said that the enthusiastic participation from Indian travel agents and the positive interactions with Bhutanese exhibitors, underscored the strong interest in Bhutan as a travel destination. She said that the roadshow strengthened the commitment to fostering deeper connections with the neighbouring market. “We look forward to welcoming more Indian visitors to experience the unique beauty and culture of our Kingdom,” she said. Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Holidays, Neha Jain, said that the roadshow was outstanding, providing valuable opportunities to meet partners and gain deeper insights into Bhutan. “The presentations and information provided by all partners were incredibly insightful, offering a comprehensive understanding of Bhutan’s unique attractions and tourism potential. Bhutan is just an hour’s flight from Kolkata, and being so close, I look forward to sending more passengers,” said Neha Jain. The roadshow provided a unique platform for Bhutanese exhibitors to engage directly with Indian travel professionals, fostering stronger partnerships and creating new opportunities for tourism growth. As Bhutan marks this significant milestone, the country remains committed to enhancing its tourism experiences and welcoming more visitors from India and beyond. The exclusive events facilitated fruitful discussions between travel industry buyers and sellers, exploring exciting business opportunities and planning unforgettable experiences in Bhutan. Bhutan has emerged as one of the top destinations for Indian travellers, especially during the summer months. [...] Read more...
June 25, 2024Reached back safely after participating in the Bhutan Roadshow in India. Great response and worth participating [...] Read more...
June 16, 2024visiting 4 states in India, namely Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kolkata for a roadshow organized by Department of Tourism to promote Bhutan and to promote our hotel – Hotel Nordenma which is a Government certified 3 Star hotel. Hoping to get wonderful B2B partners for mutual benefit. Sharing a wonderful view of the Himalayas en route to Kathmandu from my flight. [...] Read more...
June 14, 2024His Majesty The King graced the opening ceremony of the first session of the fourth parliament yesterday. The opening session was also attended by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, members of the Royal family, senior government officials, and foreign diplomats and dignitaries. In his inaugural address, Speaker Lungten Dorji reflected on the past three years, marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic, during which His Majesty displayed extraordinary leadership and compassion. His Majesty’s efforts, the Speaker said traversed the most affected regions to implement various Relief Kidu schemes, had helped the nation navigate through the crisis.  The Speaker expressed deep gratitude for these selfless acts, which had brought the nation together under the Golden Throne in the sacred sanctum of the National Assembly. The Speaker highlighted the visionary Gyalsung Programme initiated by His Majesty, aimed at providing comprehensive education and skills development for the youth of Bhutan. This programme, he stated, promises to nurture a generation capable of self-reliance and resilience.  The Parliament pledged unwavering support to this transformative programme, promising to facilitate its development and implementation through legal and policy support. The Speaker also emphasised His Majesty’s efforts in fostering strong international relations. Recent state visits to Bangladesh and India, he said, reflects His Majesty’s commitment to forging enduring partnerships and collaborations. Lungten Dorji extended heartfelt appreciation for these efforts, highlighing Bhutan’s economic landscape through projects like the Gelephu Mindfulness City. This initiative, under His Majesty’s direct planning, seeks to set a global standard for excellence, fostering economic prosperity through investment linkages. The Parliament also expressed its gratitude to His Holiness the Je Khenpo and other religious figures for their tireless work in propagating Dharma teachings and conducting spiritual activities for the nation’s peace and well-being.  The Speaker acknowledged Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay’s recent visit to India, which reinforced the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.  The visit, the Speaker said resulted in significant support for Bhutan’s 13th Plan and various areas of cooperation, including connectivity, healthcare, and the Gelephu Mindfulness City project. The agenda for the first session of the Fourth Parliament included endorsing committees, reviewing the 13th Plan and discussing various Bills and reports. [...] Read more...
June 14, 2024International Bloggers conference is being organized by Department of Tourism from 9th till the 17th of June. Many prominent International Bloggers as well as our own Bhutanese Bloggers are participating the conference. Local prominent bloggers like Farmer Sangay and Chablop Passu can be seen online raving about the conference and also sharing about their personal, on the ground experience. With such events, the brand Bhutan Believe is to be made popular and widespread amongst the global tourism industries’ and players. [...] Read more...