The inaugural Indian Tourism Roadshow, held across four major cities in India, was aimed at increasing the number of Indian tourists visiting Bhutan. The Department of Tourism conducted the five-day event from June 17-21 spanning Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The roadshow, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of tourism in Bhutan, was also aimed at boosting summer arrivals.
In May this year, 19,212 Indian tourists visited Bhutan, marking a 100 percent increase compared with April and May. In the first quarter of this year, 58 percent of the total 41,394 tourists who arrived in Bhutan were from India. The government has pledged to achieve an annual inbound tourist count of 300,000 and to increase the percentage of dollar-paying tourists to 50 percent within the initial year, progressively increasing to 60 percent and eventually to 70 percent.
In a recent interview with CNA, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay stated that Bhutan’s tourism strategy is high-value, low-volume, and emphasised that the country cannot accommodate a large number of tourists. He said that Bhutan was aiming for 300,000 tourists annually, beyond which the country cannot manage. “Bhutan does not have an absorptive capacity for a large number of tourists.
” The events saw an overwhelming response, with over 600 companies and 700 Indian travel agents in attendance. A diverse group of 18 Bhutanese exhibitors, including leading tour operators, hotels, and airlines, showcased exclusi.
