A little history
Bhutan is a land of awe and mystery, frequented by travelers from around the world. The country imposes a fairly high tariff on visitors. The average traveler pays a USD 200 – 250 per day plus a USD 40(one time) for visa. This tariff, however, includes all of accommodations, meals, transportation, guide services and the sustainable development fee.
The government had put the high tariff in place in late 1970 when the country had only but a few visitors. There were changes in the tourism levy in 2022 where the tourists were to pay USD 200 per day as the SDF. However, the government revised it to USD 100 per day on September 2023. With the slow recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the country finally opened its door for tourists in September 2022.
Since then, the country has seen a steady increase in the visitors. This is due to the very well protected culture and natural environment which is the country’s allure. This article talks about why you should visit Bhutan now.
Read about the tourist charges
How everything changed
The tariff, however, is not applicable for the passport holders of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. In 1993 the tourist visiting Bhutan was a mere 2850 which rose drastically to 7158 in 1999. By the year 2018, Bhutan saw 274,097 foreign visitors, amongst which 202,290 were regional tourists. In the first four months of 2024, over 41,000 people visited Bhutan, with nearly 60 percent from India.
Bhutan does entice its travelers to explore the gem of Himalayas but there are things you should know before starting you journey to Bhutan. The Lonely Planet article on ‘Top 10 countries to visit in 2020’ attracted avid travelers and vacationers.
The article positioned Bhutan in no 1 spot. Lonely planet being a highly reputed travel guide captured everyone’s attention. In the category of ‘everyone’ included renowned individuals as well.
Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli had a week-long vacation in Bhutan. They had nothing but praises for the small Himalayan country and its people.
What to Expect
“Popularity Pollutes Piety” Bhutan has now come under the international radar for tourism. This would bring about a great boost in the second-largest source of revenue for the country but at a huge cost. Bhutan might lose the very essence of uniqueness that attracts tourists in the first place. This would be ironic.
Mass tourism brings about impacts. For a population of just over 800,000, Bhutan might face damages to its culture, monuments, and people beyond repair. Considering this and the policy of “high volume and low impact” in mind, Bhutan has taken certain measures.
Measures due to the revision of tourism levy ensures a controlled yet steady influx of tourists. This also ensures the country won’t have too many tourists at once, preserving the quality of services. Regional tourists can still have the experience of a lifetime in Bhutan.
