Bhutan Reopens In September With Increased Daily Tourist Tax
Bhutan to reopen to international travelers
According to officials in Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom is set to reopen to international travelers in September this year. Meanwhile, the country is wedged between India and China and offers incredibly scenic landscapes and ancient Buddhist culture.
Tourism charges for international visitors
According to the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) international travelers will be welcome to visit from September 23, 2022. However, they will be charged a Sustainable Development Fee of $200 per tourist per night. This is up from the $65 charged for the last three decades. While this might sound steep, officials explained that the higher fee would offset tourists’ carbon impact on the country.
Tandi Dorji, TCB chairman and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister said in a statement:
COVID-19 has allowed us to reset — to rethink how the sector can be best structured and operated… while keeping carbon footprints low.
In the meantime, Bhutan authorities have revised standards for service providers, including tour guides, tour operators, drivers and hotels. Meanwhile, tourism in the country employs 50,000 people and contributes an annual average of around $84 million in direct foreign exchange in the three years prior to the pandemic.
Tourism in Bhutan
The Himalayan kingdom first opened to high-end tourists in 1974, during which year they welcomed 300 visitors. According to CNN, in 2019, that number soared to 315,600, which TCB data showed was 15 percent up from the previous year.
According to tour operators, travelers will be free to choose their own operators and plan their itineraries. Meanwhile, previously, tourists could choose only from the packages offered by their tour operators.
Bhutan is ‘excited’ to welcome wealthy travelers again
Speaking of the higher tax for tourists, Sangay Phuntso, who owns the Always Bhutan Travel company in the country’s capital Thimphu, said the fees may deter some visitors. However, he explained that this will not be the case for wealthier travelers. Saying they are excited, Phuntso said that those who can spend are welcome, adding, “We are excited.”