Bhutan, with its majestic natural beauty and aura of mystery, is fast emerging as a major destination for international tourists.
THE tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, with its majestic natural beauty and aura of mystery grown from years of seclusion, is fast emerging as a major international tourist destination. With a population of around just 750,000, Bhutan is an intriguing blend of old customs and traditions and a new outlook that is gradually embracing the modern world. Today, besides power, tourism is arguably the most important contributing factor to Bhutans economy, and is, in fact, a top priority for the Bhutanese government. Tourism in Bhutan is a vibrant business with over 200 active private operators.
In 2011, Bhutan received 64,028 high-end visitorsso far the highest recorded, reflecting a growth of 56.65 per cent over the previous year. However, this figure does not include the 36,805 regional tourists and travellers of other categories, who entered Bhutan by land. Tourism receipts from international visitors alone amounted to $47.68 million as direct gross earnings, an increase of 32.52 per cent over 2010. These earnings do not include revenue from other sectors such as airlines and handicrafts, and additional out-of-pocket expenses.
INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIMBhutan adheres to a policy of high-value, low-impact tourism, ensuring that the sector is environment- and ecology-friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan has recognised that tourism can indeed help in promoting understanding among people and building closer ties of friendship based on appreciation of and respect for different cultures and lifestyles. This outlook, together with necessary encouragement and support from the government, has paid dividends.
Wanderlust, a travel magazine based in the United Kingdom, carried out a survey among its readers, and they voted Bhutan as their favourite travel destination after Japan this year. The Tourism Council of Bhutan received a certificate from the magazine conferring upon Bhutan Top Country destination status. Also, Bhutan won the Most Promising New Destination Award at the Travel & Tourism Fair held in India in July.
NATUREBhutan offers one of the best examples of sustainable ecotourism. There is 72.5 per cent forest coverage; more than 26.23 per cent of the countrys area comes under national parks; and more than 35 per cent is used for some form of conservation management. Bhutans National Conservation Plan covers 178 species of animals, including 24 internationally threatened species. The country is also widely recognised as a birdwatchers paradise, with more than 675 species of birds, including the black-necked crane, which spends its winters in Bhutan. There are more than 7,000 varieties of plants, including 300 species of medicinal plants, 50 species of rhododendrons and 600 species of orchids.
CULTUREThose enchanted by the beauty of Bhutans mountains and streams and flora and fauna are no less mesmerised by its unique culture and tradition, which leave their mark practically in every aspect of Bhutanese life, be it architecture, the gentle manner of the people, their language, food and dress, the folktales, and the guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness, inspired by the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, based on the teachings of Buddhism.
In the kingdom, there are more than 2,000 monasteries and many imposing dzongs (fortresses), all of which draw tourists. But the biggest attraction in Bhutan is its vibrant tsechus, or festivals. They preserve the rich oral history tradition, where the Bhutanese present their ancient values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through elaborate and colourful dance dramas. The tsechus are held in either dzongs or monasteries, and during the days of the festival an entire region comes alive with dazzling colours and sounds of merriment. One of the biggest festivals is the Thimphu Tsechu, held in the capital city Thimphu for four days. Another important festival is the Paro Tsechu, usually held in spring in the district of Paro. Each part of Bhutan has its own particular charm.
In western Bhutan are Thimphu, Paro town, the Wangduephodrang valley and Punakha, the ancient capital. The Punakha dzong, located at the fork of two rivers, continues to be the winter residence of the clergy. Another popular tourist site is the Taktshang monastery, or the Tigers Nest. The monastery is situated on the rock face of a sheer cliff 900 metres above the ground. In central Bhutan is the Trongza dzong, in the district of Trongza, the ancestral home of Bhutans royal family, and the beautiful valley of Bumthang, known as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom because of the numerous monasteries and spiritual sites located there.
In eastern Bhutan are Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse, the home of the rare black-necked Cranes. Southern Bhutan is a destination for birdwatchers, particularly the region surrounding the town of Samdrup Jongkar. In the southwest is the industrial and business town of Phuentsholing, which is best known as Bhutans southern gateway to India.
TREKKINGBhutan is also an ideal destination for trekkers. There are easy treks that take a tourist past grasslands, meadows of wildflowers and remote monasteries and through deep forests. For the more adventurous ones, there is the Snowman Trek, considered one of the worlds toughest treks, going over 12 mountain passes, all of which are over 4,500 metres high.
For genuine thrill-seekers, there are also provisions for river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing and paragliding.
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