{"id":18551,"date":"2022-10-15T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2022-10-15T07:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journal.slh.com\/journal\/?p=18551"},"modified":"2022-10-12T17:05:40","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T16:05:40","slug":"bhutan-reopens-its-borders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journal.slh.com\/journal\/bhutan-reopens-its-borders\/","title":{"rendered":"Bhutan reopens its borders with a sustainably-focused \u2018transformative\u2019 tourism plan"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]\n

The world\u2019s first carbon-negative country and last remaining Himalayan Kingdom is setting new standards for \u2018high value, low volume\u2019 tourism<\/h3>\nB<\/span>hutan has long been a remote yet resolute beacon of sustainable travel, with its dense forests, soaring mountains, and sacred temples, but extra care is now being taken to enhance the country\u2019s existing sustainable development policies. Seeing the pandemic as an opportunity to \u2018reset\u2019 the nation, Bhutan<\/a> reopened its borders last month with forward-thinking plans to heighten the overall experience of visitors and locals alike. This ancient Kingdom might be steeped in history, but its gaze is firmly fixed on the future\u2026here we take a closer look at the improvements, and what these mean for considerate travellers.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flickity_static_height_style” images=”18557,18558,18555,18554,18556,18559,18562,18560,18561″ flickity_spacing=”default” flickity_controls=”next_prev_arrows_overlaid” flickity_overflow=”visible” flickity_wrap_around=”wrap” flickity_box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” onclick=”link_no”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]\n

Changes to the Sustainable Development Fee<\/h3>\n

Bhutan recently announced that it would raise its Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) from $65 to $200 per person, per night, which will go towards projects that support Bhutan’s economic, social, environmental and cultural development. The fees raised will fund national investment in programmes that preserve Bhutan\u2019s cultural traditions, as well as sustainability projects, infrastructure upgrades and opportunities for youth \u2013 including providing free healthcare and education for all, plus offsetting the carbon footprint of visitors by planting trees, upskilling workers in the tourism sector, cleaning and maintaining trails, reducing the country\u2019s reliance on fossil fuels and electrifying Bhutan\u2019s transportation sector.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”18563″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]Nestled in one of the last strongholds of the threatened black-necked crane, Gangtey Lodge and its local community are flocking together to help ensure that the cranes continue to return to Phobjikha Valley, where around 500 of the vulnerable species spend the winter. Gangtey Lodge regularly hosts educational evenings at the Black-necked Crane Centre, alongside leading an annual cleaning of the black-necked crane roosting grounds in the valley\u2019s protected nature reserve. Revered as a symbol of longevity, these rare cranes are painted on the walls of temples throughout Bhutan, and form an integral part of life for the people who live here.<\/em><\/p>\n

As a country that is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as experiencing melting glaciers, floods and unpredictable weather patterns, Bhutan will also be stepping up its efforts to maintain its status as one of only a handful of carbon-negative countries in the world \u2013 in 2021, Bhutan sequestered 9.4 million tonnes of carbon against its emission capacity of 3.8 million tonnes.<\/p>\n

Upgrades to the country\u2019s infrastructure<\/h3>\n

In line with this, the government used the pandemic lockdown to upgrade roads, trails, temples and monuments around the country, upgrade public bathroom facilities, organise rubbish clean-up events, and enhance the standards and certification process for tourism service providers (such as hotels, guides, tour operators and drivers).<\/p>\n

An elevated guest experience<\/h3>\n

Employees across the tourism industry were required to participate in upskilling programmes to focus on enhancing service quality. From restricting the number of cars on the roads, to limiting visitor numbers to sacred sites, the Tourism Council of Bhutan hopes to provide authentic experiences supported by world-class services and personal care, working with carefully selected tourism partners to continue to upgrade travel itineraries which showcase the very best that Bhutan has to offer.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”18564″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]The ‘Gangtey 360’ Hike & Picnic – head up towards the meditation cliff at 3,400m through towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Gangtey Valley far below and Himalayan peaks to the north. Celebrate with a breakfast or lunch with spectacular views before taking a gentle hour-long walk back down to the lodge.<\/em><\/p>\n

Changes to the international visa application process<\/h3>\n

The previously stipulated Minimum Daily Package Rate (MDPR) has been removed from the SDF. This gives visitors the flexibility to engage service providers directly, or book flights, hotels and tours in Bhutan themselves \u2013 which could previously only be done through a Bhutanese tour operator.<\/p>\n

To apply for a visa or travel permit, the following documents are requested:<\/p>\n