Bhutan waives tourist fees for guests staying from the 5th night

Bhutan's Ministry of Tourism said guests who pay a four-day sustainability fee are allowed to stay an additional four days without paying extra.

According to a notice posted on the website of the Ministry of Tourism of Bhutan, visitors will have to pay a $200 per day sustainability fee from September 2022. However, from June 1, the government will apply a new incentive for long-stay guests.

Guests who pay the full 4-day tourism fee ($800) will be exempted from paying the fee for the next 4 days. Staying 7 days will be exempted for 7 days, staying 12 days will be exempted for the next 18 days. "Instead of paying $6,000 in sustainable development fees if staying for 30 days as before, now visitors only need to pay $2,400," one tourist shared. The new policy is to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and come in larger numbers. The promotion is valid until the end of 2024.

Punakha Dzong Monastery, one of the famous destinations in Bhutan. Photo: Bhutan Tourism

Bhutan is one of the most expensive countries in the world to charge visitors. The government says the fee is used to upgrade infrastructure, protect the environment, pay workers, and offset the impact of tourists on the environment. Before the pandemic, Bhutan charged a $65 per day sustainability fee. After the pandemic, the government tripled the fee.

Tourism is one of the country’s main sources of income. When the country went into lockdown in March 2020, the economy tanked and many people struggled. Before the pandemic, the tourism industry generated nearly $84 million a year and provided 50,000 jobs.

Anh Minh (According to CNBC )

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