Saturday 12 January 2008

Bhutan Post to introduce CD-ROM stamp series

Bhutan Post will be introducing its first CD-ROM stamp series this year to commemorate the historic events of 2008. Dubbed the world's first CD-ROM postage stamp with video footage, the series is being developed by Creative Products International, a US company. It will be a visual commemoration of some of Bhutan's historic events - celebrating 100 years of monarchy, coronation of His Majesty the fifth Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s transition to democracy and the country’s constitution. Bhutan began its postal program with the release of its first international postage stamps in 1960s. The stamps were released in partnership with an American entrepreneur Burt Kerr Todd. His daughter Francis Todd Stewart is helping producing the two sets of CD-ROM postage stamps. Bhutan's postage stamps are world-renowned and valued as rare collectibles in the philatelic community. The CD-ROM series is due for release in spring of 2008. It will sell for Nu. 225.

http://www.bbs.com.bt/Bhutan%20Post%20to%20introduce%20CD-ROM%20stamp%20series.html

Friday 11 January 2008

Tourist arrival at its record high

The number of tourists visiting the Kingdom has increased over the years. In 2006, 17,344 tourists visited the Kingdom. Last year, the number increased to a little over 21,000. Tourism officials attributed the steady increase in tourist arrivals to the international recognition that Bhutan has received as a top tourist destination and the unprecedented media coverage. The Kingdom has been rated as the number one tourist destination by several leading travel magazines including Wanderlust, a travel magazine based in the United Kingdom and Flight Centre Australia, the largest travel agent in Australia. The majority of the tourists who visit Bhutan come from the United States followed by United Kingdom and Japan. Last year, almost 6,000 US tourists visited the country. There were about 2,200 tourists from the United Kingdom and 2,000 tourists from Japan. Officials from the tourism department said tourism is seasonal in Bhutan. It is also largely confined to western and central regions. The tourism industry generated US$ 44 million last year of which US$ 10 million was paid to the government as royalty.