January 6: The global economic recession has hit the Bhutanese tourism industry. More than 1,500 tourists have cancelled their trip to Bhutan in 2009.
2008 was a good year for the Bhutanese tourism industry. The Coronation and Centenary celebrations also attracted a good number of tourists taking the official record to close to 28,000 compared to a little over 21,000 in 2007. But the prospects in 2009 look bleak for the tourism sector. Tour operators are now worried that more tourists may cancel their visit to Bhutan because of the global economic downturn.
So far, more than 1,500 tourists have cancelled their trips to Bhutan for this year. March and April is a peak tourist season for Bhutan but some tour operators said they will have only a few tourists coming to Bhutan through them. They are also worried that more tourists may cancel their trip for September and October, another peak tourist season.
Tshewang Rinzin from Sakten Tours and Travels says about 200 of his clients have cancelled their trip.
Likewise, other tour operators have seen similar cancellations. Some tourists are keeping their travel plans on hold.
As an interim measure, the tour operators along with the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) have requested the Tourism Council of Bhutan to keep its plan to increase the tariff to 250 dollars on hold. Tour operators fear that the new revision will lead to further cancellations.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan has decided to increase the tariff to 250 dollars, an increase of $50, from July 1. The tour operators have requested the tourism council to keep the plan on hold till the global economic situation improves.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan says they are working with ABTO, the Druk Air and the hoteliers to address the problem. The Council has also had discussions with stakeholders and their recommendations have been put up to the government for approval.
ABTO and the Tourism Council are also working on tourism promotion strategies. This month, around twelve tour companies from Bhutan will participate in an International Travel Fare in Spain while nine other tour operators will take part in one of the World’s Biggest Travel fare in Germany in March.
ABTO and the Tourism Council are also requesting the Druk Air and the hoteliers to keep the tariff low at least for this year.
www.bbs.com.bt
2008 was a good year for the Bhutanese tourism industry. The Coronation and Centenary celebrations also attracted a good number of tourists taking the official record to close to 28,000 compared to a little over 21,000 in 2007. But the prospects in 2009 look bleak for the tourism sector. Tour operators are now worried that more tourists may cancel their visit to Bhutan because of the global economic downturn.
So far, more than 1,500 tourists have cancelled their trips to Bhutan for this year. March and April is a peak tourist season for Bhutan but some tour operators said they will have only a few tourists coming to Bhutan through them. They are also worried that more tourists may cancel their trip for September and October, another peak tourist season.
Tshewang Rinzin from Sakten Tours and Travels says about 200 of his clients have cancelled their trip.
Likewise, other tour operators have seen similar cancellations. Some tourists are keeping their travel plans on hold.
As an interim measure, the tour operators along with the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) have requested the Tourism Council of Bhutan to keep its plan to increase the tariff to 250 dollars on hold. Tour operators fear that the new revision will lead to further cancellations.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan has decided to increase the tariff to 250 dollars, an increase of $50, from July 1. The tour operators have requested the tourism council to keep the plan on hold till the global economic situation improves.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan says they are working with ABTO, the Druk Air and the hoteliers to address the problem. The Council has also had discussions with stakeholders and their recommendations have been put up to the government for approval.
ABTO and the Tourism Council are also working on tourism promotion strategies. This month, around twelve tour companies from Bhutan will participate in an International Travel Fare in Spain while nine other tour operators will take part in one of the World’s Biggest Travel fare in Germany in March.
ABTO and the Tourism Council are also requesting the Druk Air and the hoteliers to keep the tariff low at least for this year.
www.bbs.com.bt
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