The NC’s Economic Affairs Committee has expressed worry over the unequal allocation of tourism, citing a geographical disparity in visitor numbers among the several dzongkhags. Tshewang, the chairperson of the committee, emphasized the glaring geographical differences in the number of visitors. With only 7,129 and 4,578 visitors, respectively, the eastern and southern regions fared the worst. These differences still exist in spite of the “High Value, Low Volume” tourism approach. The western area gains from being the primary gateway for foreign visitors and a concentration of lodging options and other tourist attractions.
The daily SDF is an additional complicating issue that raises the cost of longer stays and deters travelers from traveling outside of the western region. In order to achieve a more equitable distribution of tourist traffic, Chairperson Tshewang Rinchen emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive policy framework that solves these infrastructure gaps and raises awareness of under-visited places. National Council members made recommendations to address the disparities. To better coincide with the nation’s larger economic objectives, Eminent Member Phuntsho Rapten suggested reviewing the SDF’s revenue and recommending that it be valued in both US dollars and Indian rupees.
Additional talks with the Department of Immigration, the Department of Tourism, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, and other pertinent parties are planned by the Economic Affairs Committee. In order to better grasp the prospects and difficulties facing the tourism industry, committee members will also travel to popular tourist locations. The National Council’s summer session will feature a presentation of the thorough report on Bhutan’s tourism situation.
