People may criticise us, but environment is top priority for Bhutan, says Lotay Tshering
4 years, 11 months ago

People may criticise us, but environment is top priority for Bhutan, says Lotay Tshering

The Hindu  

Last week, Bhutan’s government took two important decisions which could impact its regional ties, especially with India. The first was to end free entry for regional tourists from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, by levying a daily Sustainable Development Fee on them for the first time. The other decision was to confirm that Bhutan will stay out of the proposed Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement that would allow for transit traffic between all four countries. In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering explained the decisions, emphasizing that they had more to do with Bhutan’s capacity than to keep out tourists and traffic.

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History of this topic

Bhutan’s tourism tax – elitist ruse or the blueprint for the future of sustainable travel?
9 months, 1 week ago

Bhutan’s tourism tax – elitist ruse or the blueprint for the future of sustainable travel?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery A horse for hire on the journey up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery Such a range is …

Bhutan-China ties won’t harm India’s interests: Bhutan Foreign Minister
2 years, 5 months ago

Bhutan-China ties won’t harm India’s interests: Bhutan Foreign Minister

The Hindu  

India’s interests on the Doklam tri-junction will not be harmed or “compromised” by the agreement between Bhutan and China for a three-step “road map” to resolve their outstanding border disputes, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji said in an interview to The Hindu. He said that neighbours must find the way to “resolve issues” between them, and that Bhutan and China …

Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists
4 years, 11 months ago

Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists

The Hindu  

Ending decades of free entry to Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, the government in Thimphu has decided to levy a daily ₹1,200 fee for “regional tourists” from India, the Maldives and Bangladesh, beginning July 2020. “The levy of SDF to regional tourists will help in ensuring an exclusive experience to all tourists which is the intent of our tourism policy of …

Bhutan imposes Rs 1,200 daily fee on Indian tourists
4 years, 11 months ago

Bhutan imposes Rs 1,200 daily fee on Indian tourists

India TV News  

Bhutan's lower house on Monday passed legislation that makes it mandatory for visitors from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives to pay a fee of Rs 1200 per day for its "sustainable development" from July this year. The Himalayan kingdom, which is concerned about its ecology and environment, decided to impose the fee following an increase in Indian tourists. Government sources …

No more waiver, Bhutan to levy charges on Indian tourists
5 years, 1 month ago

No more waiver, Bhutan to levy charges on Indian tourists

The Hindu  

In a major shift in policy, Bhutan plans to levy charges on tourists from regional countries, including India, Bangladesh and Maldives, who at present are exempted from any charges. According to the draft prepared by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, the new charges have been necessitated by the sharp increase in tourists from the region, mainly India, who cross over …

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