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HomeDiplomacyWhy Bhutan hasn't finalised the tourism fee it wants to charge Indians

Why Bhutan hasn’t finalised the tourism fee it wants to charge Indians

The Lower House of Bhutanese Parliament has passed the draft tourism bill, but the Upper House is still debating its fine print.

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New Delhi: Bhutan is still undecided on its planned move to levy a $16 ‘Sustainable Development Fee’ (SDF) on tourists from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, ThePrint has learnt.

Months after it came up with a draft tourism policy to deal with rising influx of tourists, the Bhutanese government is still arguing over the number of regions that will be exempted from the levy, top diplomatic sources said.

The exemption is being planned in a bid to make relatively unpopular destinations attractive to tourists.

This fine print discussion is ongoing in the National Council, or the Upper House of the Bhutanese Parliament, said the sources.

The National Assembly of Bhutan (NAB), or the Lower House, has passed the draft bill to charge a “nominal fee” of $16 towards SDF on per-night, per-person basis.

What the discussion is all about

Looking to preserve the ecology of the landlocked country, the Bhutanese government is planning to impose the fees to maintain its objective of “higher value, low volume” tourism, said the sources.

The NAB wants as many as 11 regions of Bhutan, most of them on the western side of the Himalayan kingdom, to be exempted from the SDF while charging tourists flocking to popular hotspots such as Thimpu, Paro, and Phuentsholing.

The National Council, however, wants 15 places to be exempted from the fee. The idea is to promote those areas too and make them as popular as Paro or Phuentsholing, said the sources.

A proposed discount for children is also under discussion. As of now, children from the ages 6 to 15 will be given a 50 per cent discount, while children below 6 won’t be charged at all, added the sources.

Both Houses of the Bhutanese Parliament are also arguing over a deadline to implement the law. While the NAB is keen to impose it by July, the Upper House is yet to give its nod.

Also known as royalty to the government, the fee is aimed at funding developmental projects in the country.

The India view

According to the sources, India is well aware of the move and is being kept in the loop about the developments.

The number of regional tourists visiting Bhutan has significantly shot up. In the last two years, the Himalayan kingdom saw 200,000 tourists from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Of this, nearly 1,80,000 — or 90 per cent — were from India.

Due to this rush, Bhutan is also considering online processing of documents, said the sources.

While this is the first time that Indian tourists will be made to pay such a fee in Bhutan, the levy is significantly lower than what the Western tourists are charged.

According to the existing rules, Western tourists pay a fee of $250. Of this, $65 is paid towards the SDF and the rest towards accommodation, food and beverages, and a tourist guide.


Also read: Modi’s Neighbourhood First push is being pulled down by decades of policy stagnation


 

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10 COMMENTS

  1. $250/head charged for western tourist,but then accommodation,transport and guide are also included, I doubt, is that Rs.1200/day/head for regional tourist applicable the same facilities if its so then that’s ok,any way we have to spent that sum of money for hotel and transportation if allowed free also. I think this is the best steps to promote tourism for the rest of other unexplored places of Bhutan.

  2. They must charge, it is their country anyway. I don’t think Indian government should intervene. Do you allow anyone else in your house to stay FOC??

    • India must charge bhutanese entering India @ they charge also entry permit for them must be mandatory like Indians need it is a big shame on Indians that such a tiny country fully dependent on India not treating Indians on equal terms

  3. Very bad news .Having worked there as a teacher and spend our youth days there now we have to pay such a hefty amount. Now visiting Bhutan is only allowed for rich people not for middle class or lower middle class.Funny part is that last year Bhutan Govt had felicitated we teachers who had served that country and this year onwards we are out asted.Again it’s proven for Ingratitude Bhutan is second to none

  4. The Land of Thunder Dragon ,Bhutan is always enchantingly beautiful to me during my motorbike solo and group tours . But due to some over enthusiastic biker from Maharastra , Govt. of Bhutan changed its permit rules for bikers and now all bikers whether solo or group is required to hire a escort car for the entire tour period and that will cost nearly ₹ 18000/- to ₹ 21000/- for 7 days . This will definitely put Bhutan out of reach to solo bikers from India . I think Govt of India could do something about this atleast

  5. Yes I agree Indian Govt. now must protest n stop this move of Bhutan Govt. Or reciprocate by charging their tourists who visit India.

  6. It’s very unfortunate, Bhutan is going to charge tax from Indian tourist. Our Indian government is silent. Many people visit Bhutan for official purpose also. If Indian government cant stop this, they should also charge Bhutanese national to pay tax when they visit India. Indian goverment must stop this move. Dont be scared of China and allow them to implement this.

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