HE Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan, is inviting more Indians to visit Bhutan stating that India and Bhutan have excellent relations.
“India is our immediate neighbor, and we want to be your host. The overarching intent of Bhutan’s tourism policy is to enhance happiness and wellbeing of tourists throughout their journey,” he added.
Addressing the exclusive interaction “India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons,” organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICC)I, the Prime Minister of Bhutan stated that Bhutan has implemented “Gross National Happiness” (sometimes referred to as Gross Domestic Happiness) to improve the happiness and wellbeing of its citizens by balancing economic growth along with social, cultural progress, and good governance.
“We need social progress and we have made good progress there through education which means we can take good care of tourists. We are custodians of a unique culture that we can share with the world,” he emphasized.
Good governance, he said is relevant as tourists are guaranteed the safety and security through the rule of law in Bhutan.
Highlighting the importance of tourism in Bhutan, HE Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan, said: “We need to enhance access by air to Bhutan and that is my responsibility. I will need your (industry) support going forward to share Bhutan with India. We plan to target 150,000 Indian tourists in [the] coming years.”
The Prime Minister further stated that for Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, there is no visa requirement and only a travel permit is required. He also urged the Indian tour operators to collaborate with the Government of Bhutan to design special tourist packages for Indians including cultural, environmental, spiritual, adventure packages. “Very few countries in the world boast this diversity. We will also allow FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] in [the] tourism sector soon,” he added.
Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI, Mentor of FICCI Tourism and Culture Committee & CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, said that Bhutan’s stunning landscapes and unique cultural heritage, with a commitment to sustainable development, hold immense potential for tourism growth. “India and Bhutan can collaborate in infrastructure development, including road construction, and airport expansion, but the most important is trust building between India and Bhutan,” she added.
Mr. Dipak Deva, Chairman, FICCI Tourism & Culture Committee and MD, Travel Corporation India Ltd., said that this forum serves as a unique platform to build on the shared history of India and Bhutan so that both countries can foster greater understanding and collaboration between them. “We need to increase air connectivity between the two nations,” he added.
Earlier, Mr. SK Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI, while welcoming the Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan recalled FICCI’s delegation to Bhutan in October 2023, and the unforgettable experience of trekking up to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger Nest Monastery, as a highlight among tourism experiences in Bhutan.
