…industry expected to contribute Nu 30 billion to GDP by 2029
Thukten Zangpo
The tourism industry is set for a major shot in the arm as the government plans to allocate Nu 2 billion from its Nu 15 billion economic stimulus programme (ESP) to the industry.
This was announced by officials from the department of tourism during the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators’ annual general meeting on May 28. The investment aims to revitalise the tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) has set an ambitious target of attracting 300,000 tourists annually and generating Nu 2.56 billion in annual revenue.
This year’s target is 200,000 tourists with expected arrival of 70 percent Indian tourists paying the Nu 1,200 sustainable development fee (SDF) and the remaining 30 percent USD 100 paying tourists.
The ministry plans to shift tourist arrivals to 60:40 (Indian: USD paying tourists) target in 2025 and…
