BHUTAN, March 17 (TNA) – The small, naturally beautiful nation of Bhutan is seeking to expand its tourism sector, enlisting the assistance of Thailand.
Thai officials were recently invited to serve as tourism consultants for Bhutan, with a focus on improving marketing and tourist accessibility.
This effort comes against the backdrop of the Punakha Tshechu festival, featuring traditional folk dances and masked performances held at Punakha Dzong, a significant fortress in Bhutan’s former capital.
The Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan, is another key attraction showcasing the country’s blend of natural beauty and culture.
Despite these unique attractions, Bhutan has been attracting fewer tourists than the government desires, particularly given the country’s potential.
Key issues identified by both Thai private and public sectors include a limited number of flights, insufficient marketing communications, and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per day, which some tourists perceive as a barrier.
However, Thai officials see growth opportunities in Bhutan’s tourism, believing that such growth would also benefit Thailand’s tourism sector.
Bhutan uses the SDF to support various development projects and carbon reduction efforts, as part of its high-value, low-impact tourism policy.
Thailand has pledged to fully support Bhutan in achieving its goal of welcoming 300,000 tourists by 2025, up from approximately 150,000 currently. -819 (TNA)
