Bhutan Welcomes Its First Tourists After Two Years of Silence
On September 23, a small flock of 23 adventure‑seekers landed at Bhutan’s sole international gateway, Paro Airport, signaling the kingdom’s triumphant return to the global stage. After a tough two‑year hiatus prompted by the Covid‑19 pandemic, the Himalayan enclave—nestled snug between China and India—opened its gates to the bright‑eyed crowd that had been longing to experience its verdant landscapes and ancient Buddhist charm.
Why the Wait?
Bhutan closed its borders in March 2020, retreating from an economy that had earned roughly US$3 billion in the two fiscal years that followed. Even with only 61,000 confirmed cases and 21 deaths, the pandemic hit a country of under 800,000 people hard, pushing many into poverty.
“Tourism is More Than a Cash‑Cow”
Mr Dorji Dhradhul, the director‑general of the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), swore in the arrival of his first guests: “Tourism for us feels like a bridge to the world. It gives us a chance to share our culture, our warmth, and our love for the planet.” He promised that every tourist could see the country as a living laboratory for sustainability—one visit at a time.
Welcome Pack Magic
Each traveler got a charming tote bag filled with:
- Organic honey, fresh as a mountain breeze
- Hand‑made tea that whispers stories of the Himalayas
- Bhutanese turmeric—because why not add a splash of gold to your latte?
- A local SIM card so you can keep the world updated (and earn those sweet selfies)
The New “Sustainable Development Fee”
In July, Bhutan upped its visitor fee to US$200 (S$284) per night—so generous that even Monopoly game‑players would applaud. The hefty charge aims to fund:
- Tree‑planting campaigns that will crown the vistas with green
- Training for tourism crews to match global best practices
- Road‑maintenance and trail‑upkeep for mountain adventures
- Cleaner energy sources, to keep the nation’s carbon footprint low and green
Past Highlights
In 2019 the country welcomed a whopping 315,600 visitors—an up‑surge of 15.1% compared to the year before. Travelers collectively contributed about US$84 million to the economy each year, a steady stream of goodwill and dollars that now fuels Bhutan’s return to the ‘tourism ring’.
So as the first of this week’s travelers step onto Bhutan’s ancient paths, the kingdom celebrates not just numbers, but a renewed promise to keep its heart open to the world—one honey‑scented, tea‑steeped, and sustainable step at a time.
