Bhutan to reopen in September, but will charge triple tourist tax ($200 per day)!

Bhutan has finally revealed its reopening date, September 23, 2022, after remaining shut for outsiders for more than two years due to the pandemic. The gorgeous Himalayan nation has been attracting travellers from across the globe since ages now. During the pandemic, the nation imposed strict COVID-19 rules, which didn’t allow outsiders to enter the country.

However, travellers will now have to pay a hefty tax to enter and explore the country. In a recent update, Bhutan has increased its Sustainable Development Fee for tourists to $200 (nearly INR 15,985) per person per day.
Bhutan is also known as the Last Shangri-La because of its pure natural beauty and sustainable development. The country has always believed in High Value, Low Volume tourism policy.

Dr Tandi Dorji, Bhutan’s foreign minister and chairman of the Tourism Council of Bhutan said, “Covid-19 has allowed us to reset, to rethink how the sector can be best structured and operated so that it not only benefits Bhutan economically but socially as well while keeping carbon footprints low.”
For almost 30 years (since 1991), tourists were required to pay $65 (nearly INR 5196), but the amount has been increased now and those who can afford it are welcome. The increased (tripled) tax will go towards offsetting tourists’ carbon footprint and upgrading workers’ skills in the tourism sector.

Tourism is a huge part of Bhutan’s economy and makes up 6% of the nation’s GDP. As per the Tourism Council of Bhutan, in 2019, Bhutan was visited by 315,599 tourists, which earned the tourism industry USD $225 million.

1. Is Bhutan open to tourists?
   Bhutan will start welcoming tourists from September 2022.
2. Bhutan is charging triple tourist tax for what reason?
   Sustainable Development Fee
3. What is the capital city of Bhutan?
   Thimphu serves as the capital of Bhutan.