GNH & BUDDHISM MAIN ATTRACTION FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURIST

November 4, 2015
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Gross revenue from tourism increase by USD 9.71M

Apart from the unique culture, Buddhism and Gross National Happiness, the Royal Family was also the main attraction for international tourists who visited Bhutan last year, the 2014 tourism monitor states.

With a growth of about 15 percent, Bhutan recorded 133,480 international and regional tourists last year. The annual tourism monitor states that a majority of the tourists were female.

As is the trend, the 2014 data indicate that its mostly the elderly international visitors, highly educated, experienced and well settled who chose Bhutan as a holiday destination. A majority of the tourists who visited Bhutan last year was aged 61 years and above.

The monitor states that more than half of the international tourists were from Asia and the Pacific Region. About one-fourth was from Europe and the rest from North America and South America followed by the Middle East.

Nationality wise, Thai tourists accounted for one-fifth of the total tourists last year, which tourism officials attributed to the Bhutan-Thailand friendship offer where Thai tourists were exempted from the mandatory minimum daily tariff.

An exit study of the tourists where a sample size of 12,000 visitors was randomly interviewed indicated that the average stay was six nights for international tourists. However, about 19 percent of the tourists stayed for more than eight nights and about two percent for more than 15 nights in 2014.

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“The discount offered for those staying more than 8 and 15 nights designed to encourage longer stays doesn’t seem to be popular among international visitors,” the monitor states.

The monitor states that a majority of the international tourists were aware of the minimum daily tariff of USD 250 and 200 for the peak and lean seasons. However, the rest were not aware of the daily package rate.

At about 35 percent, the monitor states that proportion of respondents who didn’t have knowledge about the daily package rate structure is quite high given the increasing number of tourists visiting Bhutan every year.

Bhutan continues to be a cultural destination with a majority of the tourists still attracted to Bhutan by cultural and nature-based activities, adventure sports and other attractions like textiles, community-based activities, wellness and spa, and retreat.

The western dzongkhags of Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, as usual, continued to receive the highest number of tourists and the bed nights as well. Lhuentse, Pemagatshel, Dagana and Tsirang recorded the least number of bed nights in 2014.

Gross earnings from the international tourism increased to USD 73.2 million or about Nu 4.4B in 2014 from USD 63.49 million in 2013.

“However, this does not account for receipts from categories like airline receipts and out of pocket expenses,” the monitor states. It also states that more than 98 percent of international tourists visited Bhutan for the first time.

Source: Kuensel (Kinga Dema)

BHUTAN IS WORTH PAYING US$ 250 DIALY TARIFF.

October 26, 2015
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5 reasons Bhutan is worth the US$250 daily fee

Bhutan’s strategy of “low volume, high quality” tourism has made it a highly regarded destination among discerning travelers.

It costs an official US$250 per day per person to sample the charms of this isolated Himalayan kingdom, an amount that includes land transport, accommodations, food and guide service.

While it’s not quite an arm and a leg, the cost does seem restrictive for some. It’s the government’s way of keeping the country from being overrun by mass tourism, while at the same time ensuring its preferred visitors get the most value out of their trips.

So is it really worth the money? These five experiences have convinced us it is.

 

1. Bhutanese lifestyle

The word “authentic” is more overused than the word “sorry” in tourism, but Bhutan is a place that can remind us of the true meaning of cultural authenticity.

Tourism got here less than four decades ago. The hermit kingdom has preserved its rich cultural identity throughout years of isolation.

On the streets, traditional dress remains the preferred attire and local languages Dzongka and Sharchop can be heard. Native Dzongka-style architectural features still grace every building and Buddhism colors just about every aspect of life.

But change is in the air. The arrival of TV and the Internet in 1999 has brought the outside world into Bhutanese homes, with mostly positive reactions from the locals.

“I appreciate the technology and the progressive attitude of the so-called ‘modern world.’ This can help us improve farming techniques or use better medical facilities,” reflects Kinley Tenzing, a car salesman from the capital of Thimphu.

“We just need to manage foreign influence so that we don’t lose our cultural identity”.

Concerns about the erosion of Bhutanese values have led to a government-imposed dress code for working attire. Only the male gho and female kira dresses are allowed for official duties. There’s also a ban on non-traditional forms of architecture.

Despite this, one can occasionally glimpse T-shirts and jeans worn by young Bhutanese on weekends.

And an escalator-equipped shopping mall now stands proudly in the middle of Thimphu.

Starbucks and McDonald’s have yet to appear. They probably won’t open shop anytime soon.

 

2. Bhuddist peace

Outdoor enthusiast or not, no visitor leaves Bhutan without making the trek to the Taktsang Palphug, aka the Tiger’s Nest. See the gallery above.

Situated on the edge of a cliff, some 900 meters above the rice fields of Paro, this 320-year-old monastery is considered one of the kingdom’s most sacred religious sites.

Legend has it Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, meditated for years inside a cave that now lies at the heart of the temple. The Tiger’s Nest is now a revered Buddhist meditation site and tourist attraction.

To get here, you’ll need to trek 90n minutes, breathing thin mountain air.

The trail winds through pine forests, past ancient Buddhist shrines adorned with endless lines of prayer flags. Smiling pilgrims and stunning landscape views accompany every step.

The hike takes effort, but simply walking these revered slopes is enough to induce a meditative mood.

 

3. Spicy food

The Bhutanese aren’t kidding when they say that chillies are their favorite vegetables.

Proof is their fondness for emma datshi, an insanely hot delicacy of boiled chillies and native cheese. It’s their de facto national dish, a source of cultural pride and a mainstay in every meal.

The first taste is always fiery, but get past the spice and it becomes easy to appreciate the creamy, salty, somewhat fruity flavor.

Paired with native red rice, emma datshi becomes a satisfying meal.

If you worry this dish will be too hot, fear not: local chefs usually tone it down for foreign diners.

 

4. Unexpected attractions

The town of Punakha is home to one of the most unusual shrines in Buddhism.

The Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, a tantric Buddhist saint known for his unconventional approach to religion.

You’ll know what this means when you see the murals and carvings depicting the male phallus. Sex was Drukpa Kunley’s way of blessing devotees. It’s claimed he made love to more than 5,000 women in his lifetime and it’s believed the sex act helped devotees on the path to enlightenment.

The Chimi Lhakhang is more than just a village shrine. It’s a fertility pilgrimage site for those wishing to bear children.

Households around the shrine hang wooden phalluses to bless the home and promote harmony among family members.

 

5. Nightlife, Bhutan-style

Evening entertainment in Bhutan is rather tame. What it lacks in variety, however, it makes up for with distinctly Bhutanese character.

To see what we mean, visit a drayang in any of the bigger towns and cities. These homegrown nightclubs come complete with disco balls and flickering lights set amid simple wooden interiors.

The entertainment centers on singing. Patrons choose from a stable of in-house talent and pay them to perform onstage. The going rate is BTN 30 (around US$0.60) per tune.

Bhutanese performers belt out requests in Dzongkha and Hindi while customers kick back with Red Panda beers.

Never mind if the lyrics are indecipherable. The voices are shrill and the moves truly traditional. It’s a fun, fascinating night out.

Recommended is Lha-Yul Drayang in Paro Town, but try not to arrive too late -– the place closes at 11 p.m.

How to Get There: Drukair is the national carrier of Bhutan and also Bhutan Airlines  is the only one private airlines that flies to the international airport in Paro. The airlines has hubs at Singapore‘s Changi Airport,Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and Kathmandu’s Tribuvan International Airport.

With the exception of Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals, independent travelers must plan a trip through an authorized travel agencies.

Travel packages cost US$250 per day (US$200 for low season), but includes guide, land transport, meals and three-star accommodation.

Contributed by Lester V. Ledesma

Trekking in Bhutan only on designated routs and campsites

October 20, 2015
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Tourism Council of Bhutan: Tour operators must use designated routes and campsites

In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding the Bumdra campsite above Taktshang in Paro, Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) officials clarified that the campsite is not among the approved trekking routes and campsites.

This means that tour operators cannot keep their guests at Bumdra campsite.

If tour operators are found using undesignated trekking routes and campsites, TCB officials said they would be penalised in line with the tourism regulations.

The tourism rules and regulations states that if tour operators are found using trekking routes and campsites that are not in the TCB’s published list, they will be slapped a fine of Nu 5,000 with a warning on the first instance. If caught again, tour operators will be penalised Nu 10,000 with a warning. On the third offense, the tour operator’s licence will be cancelled.

It was alleged that a permanent campsite was set up at Bumdra acquiring land on lease from the dratshang without following due processes. The company is also alleged to be charging exorbitant rates for the facilities at the campsite that was equipped with solar power and Internet connectivity.

TCB officials said the company providing trekking services at Bumdra is not registered with them. In such cases, officials said that tour operators will be answerable and not the service provider since tour operators and guides are under the TCB’s purview and not service providers.

TCB’s head of marketing and promotion division Damcho Rinzin said the list of trek routes and campsites are also reflected in the Tashel online system where tour operators must identify the names of campsites if tourists are going camping or trekking.

“All tour operators must be aware of the designated trekking routes and campsites,” he said, adding that the same applies for accommodation. “It is mandatory that all tourists are kept in tourist standard accommodation.”

Records with TCB show about 34 designated trekking routes and campsites across the country. There are about 57 TCB certified farm stays in the country with the highest in Wangduephodrang at 24. There are about 123 tourist standard hotels in the country.

Although known for its environment, Bhutan is rather seen as a cultural destination and comparatively receives less number of trekking tourists every year. Trekking in Bhutan is part of nature-based tourism activity with treks varying from one to 40 nights.

In 2014, trekking tourists constituted about 13 percent of the total international arrivals records with TCB show. About 68,081 international tourists visited Bhutan last year.

Trekking tourists increased in 2010 and 2011 after which it started to decline. In 2010, the country recorded 2,753 trekking tourists, which increased to 3,402 in 2011. However, it dropped to 3,165 in 2012 while in 2013 only about 2,943 of the total international arrivals were for trekking.

Tour operators said most tourists complained that trekking in Bhutan was not worth what they paid for given the garbage filled trails and lack of infrastructure or development along the routes.

Despite the same minimum daily tariff of USD 250 and 200 during the peak and lean season for both cultural and trekking tourists, tour operators said it was easier to sell cultural tour packages.

Contributed by Kuensel (Kinga Dema)

BHUTAN TOURISM COUNCIL TO BE GIVEN MORE TEETH

October 3, 2015
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It’s to take over licensing of travel agencies, tourist class accommodation and restaurants.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) will take over the licensing of travel agencies, tourist class accommodation and restaurants as per the requirement of the revised tourism rules and regulations, 2014, that the cabinet endorsed recently.

However, the regulation is yet to be finalised, as the cabinet has instructed the council to incorporate few changes.

The regional trade and industry office currently issues licenses to travel agencies and hotels, while the council issues licenses to tourist guides and trekking cooks.

Once finalised, the annual license fee would also increase to Nu 13,000 from the existing Nu 12,000. TCB will also collect Nu 50 a day as late renewal fee.

The revised regulation is more stringent on license cancellation and suspension, should a tour operator or guide get involved in any fraudulent activity.

For instance, a disciplinary committee will handle the case and its decision would be based on factors including court verdicts, if a case is registered with the court. The council in suspending a license shall consider the severity of the offence and suspend the license for a period not more than three years.

The revised regulation has empowered the council with the authority to impose penalties on a person, who is guilty of an offence under these regulations, depending on the gravity. The penalties include a fine up to Nu 25,000 for the first instance, or notice of caution if an offence is not grave, and a fine of Nu 50,000 for the second instance, while on the third and fourth instances, licenses are suspended or cancelled.

In case of a severe offence, the company or the guide can also be blacklisted, prohibiting him or her from carrying out any tourism-related services.

Unlike the previous tourism rules and regulations of 1999, the revised regulation doesn’t mention the high and low seasons, but has categorised the minimum daily tariff under high season and other season. The high season months are March, April, May, September, October, November, while the rest are the “other season” months.

The council’s vice chairman, economic affair minister Norbu Wangchuk, said the existing rules and regulations have been revised to provide a legal framework.

Lyonpo said the council had endorsed the revised regulations in July 2014, after which it was submitted to the cabinet for approval. “Currently, the tourism industry operates under three stand alone regulations, which now has been integrated into one,” lyonpo said.

The three regulations, lyonpo said, were for tour operators, trekking and familarisation tours.

Tourists, hotels, tour operators and guides, among others, being the main stakeholders, lyonpo said that there was a need to clarify their roles and responsibilities. “The revised rules and regulations, 2014 will now serve as the guide for the tourism industry.”

Source: Kinga Dema (KUENSEL)