High-revenue, low-impact tourism is Bhutan’s goal

A rich cultural heritage, stunning nature and a sustainable development perspective grounded in Buddhism. Building on these resources, Bhutan wishes to achieve a fivefold increase in the number of visitors to the country.

Development of tourism has clear limits, however, said Minister of Agriculture and Forests Pema Gyamtsho when visiting Finland.

“Bhutan has opted to remain carbon neutral. Our constitution requires us to maintain, for all times, at least 60 per cent of the area that forest covers. That limits our options. We have to stay agile to make economic progress. We shall not pollute our environment, we shall not erode our culture", he emphasises.

At present the greatest source of income from exports is electricity produced to meet the needs of India. This, however, does not create jobs.

“Tourism is a sector that benefits everyone – from the travel agent to the taxi driver, to the airline to the farmer, to the bus driver to the hotelier. That is why we have defined tourism as one of the sectors that provide jobs and increase income. Another area is agriculture, and of course organic agriculture", the minister points out.

Minister of Agriculture and Forests Pema Gyamtsho (centre) was accompanied on his visit to Finland by his wife, Chophel Doma Dayang (second on the left), and Bhutan’s WWF Country Representative Kinzang Namgay (right) and his wife Deki Chode (left). Erja Häkkinen (second on the right ) is WWF Finland’s Bhutan Ambassador. Photo: Susanna Manu / WWF

High-end, ecofriendly tourism

“We will not open up tourism just like that, without managing the industry. We will not have the same kind of tourism we see, for instance, in Nepal, the backpack tourism.”

According to Gyamtsho, Bhutan invests in tourists willing to immerse themselves in Himalayan Buddhist culture. Various products involving culture tourism, for instance for older target groups, are under consideration.

Ecotourism is a natural choice in a country known for the biodiversity of its natural environment. The particular target groups for this are nature enthusiasts. “They are not disruptive to nature, they respect it.”

The country has much to offer, for example, to birdwatchers and other special groups, the Minister continued.

“We are developing packages to be able to spread out the tourism season. Right now our tourism arrivals are limited to the spring and the autumn season, although Bhutan has beautiful weather all year round.”

The goal is 200,000 tourists a year, whereas about 40,000 tourists now visit Bhutan annually.

“Our infrastructure is very limited and our absorption capacity is very limited. We do not expect to reach this overnight. We are working systematically, step by step.”

Minister Gyamtsho speaking with Environmental Adviser Matti Nummelin from the Department for Development Policy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Photo: Marja-Leena Kultanen

Viewfinder on experiences

Through rural tourism, the benefits of the growing sector can be extended to as many as possible, Pema Gyamtsho states, envisaging inclusive experiences combined with homestay in the countryside.

“The tourists would be able to pick their own vegetables and see how the cows are milked. It could be an experience for some Japanese tourists.”

The Himalayan beast of burden, the yak, also has a place in this vision. Keeping yaks as such is not profitable now, but the picture changes if tourism includes the yak.

“Yaks can be used for transporting goods and luggage. The yak’s milk is very valuable. We need to develop products from yak milk into forms that the tourist can consume. Tourists cannot consume the hard yak cheese we have now, it might break their teeth,” the Minister said with amusement.

This would make it profitable to keep yaks.

Decorative woodcarvings are one example of Bhutanese handicrafts. Like so many other hand-crafted items, these are difficult to transport or find a use for at home.

“Product development is a very important aspect in tourism.”

Marja-Leena Kultanen