Bhutan Travel Blog

In the surprise announcement, Bhutanese authorities discounted Sustainable Development Fee from 200 USD per person per day to 100 USD per person per day. New policy is supposed to be valid till the end of August 2027.

Is this the final correction of the contested tourism reform, or can we expect some more tinkering?

Read our blog to see the answers!

It is always good to have travel insurance in case of anything going wrong with your tour. Since September 2022, it is also compulsory requirement for Bhutanese visa. Insurance confirmation needs to be uploaded along with other documents with Visa application. We recommend Trawick International which can be fixed in few clicks and fits all requirements.

Abrupt announcement of the major overhaul of Bhutan tourism policy and pricing took us by total surprise. We expected tourism reopening and incentives to attract visitors, instead government gave us a slap and big kick. We fiercely disagree with the new policy, however once approved by the legal process of the country, we will duly follow. We will readjust and continue our mission to attract visitors to Bhutan and make their stay wonderful experience worth of the expenses. Here we would just like to summarize what might have change if His Majesty signs this bill into the act.

We got several inquiries from people who did pay for their tour to Bhutanese tour operators, often several thousands US dollars, and had to cancel due to COVID-19 pandemic. Now they are struggling to get their money back. Some tour operators stopped communicating, some did say that they only can provide voucher for tour in 2021 or gave other doubtful excuse. Given the long duration of the pandemic with no end in sight, most travelers want to get their money back now, and we are here to help with that!