The Economic Affairs Committee has conducted extensive consultations and field visits
The
Economic Affairs Committee has conducted extensive consultations and field
visits to assess the current state of tourism in Bhutan.
Meetings were held with officials from the administration of Phuentsholing Drungkhag and the administrations of the Dzongkhags of Bumthang, Mongar, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, and Samdrupjongkhar to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and policy implementation gaps.
Additionally, the committee conducted field visits to major tourist sites in Phuentsholing, Paro, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Samdrupjongkhar, Punakha, and Wangduephodrang to evaluate tourism infrastructure, services, and stakeholder concerns.
As part of its assessment, the committee also met with the Royal Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (RITH) and conducted field visits to the institute’s campus. This allowed the committee to understand how the institution is training its trainees to cater to tourists with better services and meet industry demands.
The committee’s findings revealed pressing issues such as infrastructure limitations, gaps in policy alignment, and the need for improved service quality to enhance tourism in Bhutan. While the country’s high-value, low-volume tourism model has been effective in maintaining sustainability, adapting to evolving global travel trends remains a challenge. Moving forward, a balanced approach between sustainability and economic viability will be essential for the long-term success of tourism in Bhutan.
