Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, while inviting more Indians to visit Bhutan, said that India and Bhutan have excellent relations. “India is our immediate neighbour, and we want to be your host. The overarching intent of Bhutan’s tourism policy is to enhance the happiness and wellbeing of tourists throughout their journey,” he added.
Addressing the exclusive interaction ‘India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons’, organized by FICCI, the Prime Minister of Bhutan stated that Bhutan has implemented ‘Gross National Happiness’ to improve the happiness and well-being of its citizens by balancing economic growth along with social and 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 safety and security through the rule of law in Bhutan.” Highlighting the importance of tourism in Bhutan, he said, “We need to enhance access to Bhutan by air and that is my responsibility. I will need your (industry’s) support going forward to share Bhutan with India. We plan to target 1,50,000 Indian tourists in the coming year.”
The Prime Minister further stated that Indian tourists do not require a visa to travel to Bhutan, 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, and adventure packages. “Very few countries in the world boast this diversity. We will also allow FDI in the tourism sector soon,” he added.
Dr Jyotsna Suri, Past President of FICCI, Mentor of the FICCI Tourism and Culture Committee and CMD of 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.
Dipak Deva, Chairman of FICCI Tourism and Culture Committee and MD of 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.
SK Pathak, Secretary General of FICCI, while welcoming the Honourable 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.
