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ASIAN TOURISM GUIDE 2012/2013 5BhutanGeneral overviewOfficial name Kingdom of BhutanCapital ThimphuPopulation 716,896Total area 38,394km 2Currency NgultrumOfficial language Dzongkha; English iswidely spokenBhutan, l<strong>and</strong>-locked <strong>and</strong> tightly embraced by Asia’s two most populousnations – India <strong>and</strong> China – is probably one of the most desirable destinationsfor many well-travelled individuals. A single-minded focus on“high value, low impact” <strong>tourism</strong> has ensured that Bhutan’s cultural, historic<strong>and</strong> natural heritage are not eroded significantly.Steering clear of mass <strong>tourism</strong>, the Bhutanese authorities have peggeda daily “tariff” of US$250 <strong>and</strong> US$200 during the high <strong>and</strong> off-peak travelseason respectively, creating an artificial dem<strong>and</strong> cap on travel. Havingonly one airline to serve the destination – Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines– also arrests any possible surge in inbound flow.Reports in November 2012 indicated that Air India may be looking toserve Bhutan’s Paro from Indian cities in the future, <strong>and</strong> for a start it hassigned a code-share <strong>and</strong> interline agreement with Drukair.ClimateAverage temperature -16°C to 13°CAverage rainfall 2.2mm to 106.2mmBest time to visitThe autumn months from September-November are themost popular with visitors as clear skies <strong>and</strong> cool weatherprevail. Trekkers are attracted to the ideal conditions inthe mountains <strong>and</strong> this continues into February, whenlow-altitude trekkers <strong>and</strong> bird-watchers gather in Bhutan.However, Bhutan is just as attractive during the othermonths. With low-hanging clouds <strong>and</strong> some precipitation,the mountains <strong>and</strong> deep valleys take on a completelydifferent <strong>and</strong> perhaps more mystical ambience.Throughout the year, temple festivals are staged <strong>and</strong>visitors are able to get up close to these spectacular performances.The peak March-May period is also a goodtime to visit as it coincides with several festivals.BHUTAN•olkataINDIAangon MYANMAR• THAILANDBangkok •• ColomoCHINAVisitor arrivals <strong>statistics</strong>International arrivals in Bhutan grew 56.7 per cent in2011, achieving an all-time high of 65,756 visitors, excluding35,077 regional visitors (from India, Bangladesh<strong>and</strong> the Maldives) who had arrived by road. Of these, 57.4per cent were international leisure tourists, 25.6 per centwere high-end visitors from India, Bangladesh <strong>and</strong> theMaldives who had arrived by air, <strong>and</strong> 15.8 per cent wereMICE visitors.2011’s stellar <strong>tourism</strong> performance was largely drivenby excellent growth in visitors from Thail<strong>and</strong> (155.4 percent), China (93.8 per cent), Singapore (71.9 per cent)<strong>and</strong> the UK (57.7 per cent). Other major markets suchas Canada, Australia, Japan <strong>and</strong> the US achieved doubledigitgrowth.Between January <strong>and</strong> October 2012, Bhutan welcomed36,133 international visitors, while 32,662 highendregional visitors swept in between January <strong>and</strong> July,most of whom had arrived by air.With the peak season still ahead <strong>and</strong> additional airservices by Drukair (a second daily Paro-Bangkok service<strong>and</strong> a twice-weekly Paro-Singapore service), the TourismCouncil of Bhutan’s (TCB) target of 100,000 internationalarrivals in 2012 is within reach.Japanese arrivals are expected to double in 2012 as aresult of a visit by the Bhutanese king <strong>and</strong> queen to Japanin 2011. Between January <strong>and</strong> July 2012, the number ofJapanese visitors is almost equal to that for the whole of2011.Top 10 source markets 2012 (January to October)CountriesArrivalsJapan 6,215USA 4,862China 3,088Thail<strong>and</strong> 2,742Germany 2,421UK 2,001Australia 1,601France 1,462Singapore 1,112Malaysia 880Source: Tourism Council of BhutanBumthangTrashi•ParoYangtse• Thimphu •Haa • • angdue Phodrang•PhuentsholingNTO budgetFor 2012, the TCB has a marketing budget of Nu 34.8million (US$670,000) <strong>and</strong> this is projected to increase toNu 48.9 million for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.Hotel <strong>statistics</strong>According to TCB, Bhutan has 212 five-star rooms, 196four-star rooms <strong>and</strong> 1,149 three-star rooms in 2012.With its “high-value, low-impact” marketing focus,Bhutan has been very successful in attracting internationalhotel companies such as Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces,Como Hotels <strong>and</strong> Resorts, <strong>and</strong> Aman Resorts.In September 2011, TCB announced that 59 proposalswere received in response to its call (made in December2010) to build high-end hotels around the kingdom, especiallyin the eastern <strong>and</strong> southern regions. These wouldbe hotels of three-star rating or better. TCB is simultaneouslyencouraging 54 two-star <strong>and</strong> 19 one-star hotelsto upgrade their properties to three-star st<strong>and</strong>ard. Meanwhile,Bhutanese company – Druk Holding <strong>and</strong> Investment(DHI) – is committed to developing a wellnessresort costing US$35 million <strong>and</strong> it has already lined upan international br<strong>and</strong> to operate <strong>and</strong> manage the resort.DHI is partnering Singapore-based Bhutan InvestmentCorporation which is committing funds to the wellnessresort <strong>and</strong> which will also source for investors in the Singaporemarket for future projects by DHI in the <strong>tourism</strong><strong>and</strong> hospitality industry.The Bhutanese government, together with TCB officials,have identified households in Trashiyangtse to offerfarmstay for visitors who are keen to experience rural living.Some households were given cash grants to re-modeltheir homes. Some of these facilities are already being offeredto visitors.New hotels in 2012• Uma by COMO, Punakha, nine valley view rooms<strong>and</strong> two villas• Bhutan Residence, 21 rooms <strong>and</strong> four serviced apartmentsNew attractions/<strong>tourism</strong> infrastructureDrukair is planning a third weekly service to Singaporein 2013 <strong>and</strong> a twice-weekly Paro-Mumbai service inMarch 2013.Zhemgang District has been named the crown jewel ofBhutan’s protected nature parks by bird-watchers fromaround the world. A bird-watching camp is being developed<strong>and</strong> will be completed in 2013.Hot-stone bathing is Bhutan’s equivalent to the Japaneseonsen. Round hot stones from river beds are bakedin log fires <strong>and</strong> dropped into a chamber connected to awooden bath. Bathers are believed to derive relief for jointpains, rheumatism <strong>and</strong> backaches. A medicinal hot-stonebath is being developed in Monggar in 2013. TCB <strong>and</strong>the Ministry of Health are currently working to establishthe framework <strong>and</strong> guidelines for Sowarigpa (traditionalmedicine) spa <strong>and</strong> wellness services. The country’s Lingshiregion produces 94 traditional medicines <strong>and</strong> theministry is of the opinion that it could be sustainablyharvested.Key events <strong>and</strong> festivals 2013Punakha Dromche (February 15-19)Punakha Tshechu (February 20-22)Chorten Kora (February 25 to March 11)Gomkora (March 20-22)Paro Tshechu (March 23-27)Chukha Yakchoe (March 25-27)Ura Yakchoe (April 21-25)Nimalung Tshechu (June 16-18)Kurjey Tshechu (June 18)Thimphu Drupchen (September 9-13)Wangdi Tshechu (September 12-14)Gangtey Tshechu (September 12-14)Tamshingphala Choepa (September 13-15)Thimphu Tshechu (September 14-16)Tangbi Mani (September 18-20)Jambay Lhakhang Drup* (October 18-22)Prakhar Tshechu (October 19-22)Pema Gatshel Tshechu (November 9-12)Black Necked Crane Festival (November 11)Mongar Tshechu (November 9-12)Trashigang Tshechu (November 10-13)Nalakhang Tshechu (November 17-19)Source: Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators. As most festivals areheld in conjunction with the moon phase, dates may change <strong>and</strong> it is