A tourist visa for Bhutan now costs more (2022 update)

According to a June 2022 press release from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, tourism in Bhutan will look quite different from September of this year, which is when the country will reopen its borders.

We explain the three reasons for this change. We then look at the ways that these changes to the tourism sector will affect you, the visitor.

Tourists' experiences of Bhutan are going to become more varied from 2022

The changes to Bhutan's tourism industry aim to achieve three things:

Bhutan is incredibly committed to conserving its natural environment

The changes to the tourism industry aren't without controversy. Some think the Government is trying to fix something that wasn't broken.

Dr Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of Bhutan and Chairperson of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, explains the reasons behind the changes to the country's tourism policies as follows:

The idea is that tourist-facing establishments and services will now have to become more varied, professional and competitive.

A major change to the travel sector is that you can now travel independently within Bhutan. Previously, you couldn't explore the country without a guide and driver accompanying you.

As discussed in The New York Times article Famous for Happiness, and Limits on Tourism, Bhutan Will Triple Fees to Visit, some worry that this move will hurt the workload of guides and drivers. Others argue that it will bring more tourists to the country and that guides will have to become better trained and more competitive.

At Follow Alice we personally believe that local guides enhance a visitor's experience exponentially, while also taking away many stresses and ensuring your safety.

A Follow Alice tour group with Passang, our local leader

Of especial note to potential visitors is the big change in the daily visa fee.

Previously, you had to pay a US$250 daily visa fee just to be in the country. This amount included a $65 sustainable development fee (SDF) that went to the Government. The rest of the amount went to covering your accommodation, food, guide, driver, petrol (fuel) and certain entrance fees. The policy aimed to ensure a minimum daily spend by every visitor in line with its "High value, low volume" tourism policy.

From September 2022, the above-mentioned inclusive daily visa fee comes to an end. In its place, there will be a compulsory daily SDF of US$200 per person. (This is basically three times the cost of the pre-existing SDF.) All other expenses, like accommodation and food, will now be paid directly to the vendors of your choosing.

Dorji Dhradhul, Director General of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, explains the reason for the SDF price increase as follows:

He goes on to say:

Bhutanese culture is steeped in tradition

Again, the change is controversial. Detractors worry that fewer tourists will come because of the heightened daily expense.

The Government argues that the change will encourage more professionalism within the tourism sector, while also allowing visitors a greater range of choice when it comes to various services like dining and accommodation.

Note that Indian nationals will continue to enjoy a special visitor status. They will be charged a different (but as yet undisclosed) SDF.

What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear from you. We'll continue to keep an eye on the visa situation, and update this blog post as and when new developments emerge.