Need to enhance air connectivity between India and Bhutan: Prime Minister of Bhutan

Mar 15, 2024

• Our aim is to target 1,50,000 Indian tourist in the coming year

 

• Overarching intent of Bhutan’s tourism policy is to enhance happiness, well-being of tourist

 

 

 

NEW DELHI, 15 March 2024: HE Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan today while inviting more Indians to visit Bhutan said 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 tourist 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 wellbeing of our 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’ble 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 1,50,000 Indian tourist in coming years.” 

 

The Prime Minister further stated that for Indian tourist visiting Bhutan, there is no visa requirement and only 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 in tourism sector soon,” he added.

 

Dr Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI, Mentor- 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 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’ble 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.