Bhutan will reopen for international tourists by the end of August for the first time after the pandemic. It’s more than two years since Bhutan did not open its doors to tourists. Now that almost all the countries are inviting travelers from across the world, Bhutan also decided to reopen its tourism, officials said on June 30.
Located between China and India, Bhutan is known for scenic beauty, and ancient Buddhist culture Tourists used to travel here to delve into the history of the country. Bhutan banned tourism in March 2020 when the first COVID wave hit the country, and since then, Bhutan tourism has been banned, a major source of income that pushed people into poverty.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) said that tourists would be allowed to enter Bhutan borders from September 23, 2022. They will, however, be charged a Sustainable Development fee of $200 per tourist per night, $65 higher than in the last three decades.
“COVID-19 has allowed us to reset fees, to rethink how the sector can be best structured and operated while keeping carbon footprints low”, Tandi Dorji, TCB Chairman, and the country’s foreign minister, said in the statement.
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The authorities added that the country has revised guidelines for service providers such as hotels, guides, tour operators, and cab drivers.
Bhutan tourism plays a vital role in the country’s economy. It used to employ almost 50,000 people and contributed an annual average of about $84 million in the three years before the pandemic.
Bhutan is excited to welcome the tourists with the new zeal.