Private Airline starts flying to Delhi

Tashi Air launches New Delhi flights

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Private airline Tashi Air (Bhutan Airlines) launched its inaugural commercial service to New Delhi, yesterday.

The airline will be flying to New Delhi, twice a week, on Sundays and Wednesdays, via Kathmandu.

Commercial director, Ugyen Tenzin, said that the airline expects good demand for its services on the sector as New Delhi serves as a transit hub to Europe. He added that there is much potential on the route.

He pointed out that Tashi Air can now cater to all travel agents as many have clients entering Bhutan from New Delhi.

Drukair carried 36,547 passengers between Paro and New Delhi, last year, and 36,734, in 2013.

The sector is the third most travelled after Bangkok and Kathmandu.

Tashi Air will not be competing with the national airline in terms of price. “Bhutan Airlines never wanted to have a price war with Drukair,” he said, adding that prices are basically on par with what Drukair offers.

Based on rates obtained yesterday, Tashi Air will be only slightly cheaper than Drukair.

Tashi Air will charge Bhutanese Nu 9,945 for a one way trip to New Delhi, and Nu 18,529 for a round trip.

In comparison, Drukair charges Nu 10,318 for a one way ticket and Nu 19,423 for a return trip.

The rates are inclusive of taxes.

Ugyen Tenzin said that Tashi Air did not choose to offer lower prices as Drukair would have followed suit.

The private airline has chosen to compete on services instead.

Ugyen Tenzin added that customer confidence in Tashi Air has increased given their improved on time performance and having an all Bhutanese flight crew.

In what will not be welcome news for Drukair, the private airline is also planning to launch bi-weekly flights to Singapore via Yangon in Myanmar from March, next year.

Drukair currently flies three times a week to the island state. It had earlier strongly recommended that the Singapore sector was not large enough for two airlines.

Source: KUENSEL (Gyalsten K Dorji)

Bhutan Tourism policy under review

The policy will also cover regional tourists that is increasing by the day

To address emerging challenges and trends in the tourism industry, a team from the World Bank is reviewing Bhutan’s tourism policy.

Tourism Council of Bhutan officials said a team of tourism specialists visited the country early this month to get an understanding of the tourism industry.

With tourism industry across the globe witnessing new trends and challenges, council officials said the World Bank’s technical team would address similar issues in Bhutan’s tourism industry.

“The team would study the current tourism policy and carry out desk research to recommend appropriate measures and consider the view of the stakeholders for the benefit of the tourism industry,” a council official said.

As part of the review, council officials said the team would look at all tourism related policies and regulations. In doing so, the team is expected to come up with a policy to govern regional tourists as well.

The review comes at a time when the National Council’s economic affairs committee is also reviewing the tourism policy to address issues of seasonality, equal distribution and spread of income and benefits. Also, the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators as well as the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Bhutan are also reviewing the policy.

According to the council, tourism is a vibrant business with high potential for growth and further development.  The government strongly adheres to a policy of ‘high value, low impact’ tourism, which serves the purpose of creating an image of exclusivity and high yield for Bhutan.

The principle of “high value, low volume” has been the overall tourism policy since 1974, which later changed to “high value, low impact” in 2008.

Although an important sector, the industry is not governed by an Act or a proper policy or a master plan even today. The tourism bill that was drafted a few years ago still remains to be discussed.

Council officials, however, said that the tourism strategy, 2013 and tourism master plans 1986 and 2005 do exist.

A council official said that most stakeholders take the master plan as an annual report. “A master plan is a roadmap and not an annual report and as for the strategy, we’ve activities under the Plan period,” he said.

However, most of the tourism stakeholders like hotels, guides and tour operators are not aware of the master plan and those who are argue that it is not implemented accordingly, indicating communication gaps between the stakeholders and the council.

For instance, tour operators said that as per the tourism master plan 2005, the tariff system was supposed to be different and the other stakeholders were supposed to lead the marketing while the council was to do the overall promotion of Bhutan as a destination.

However, stakeholders said that many of the recommendations of the master plan have not materialised even today.

Today, there are more than 1,300 tour operators that market the same product or package for both cultural and trekking tourists.

In 2013, the council submitted the draft national tourism policy 2012 to the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) for screening. However, the policy did not come through and was never put up again.

The tourism policy protocol report submitted to the GNHC stated that the national tourism policy was developed in 2005. The policy was developed together with the tourism bill. The tourism policy was expected to guide all tourism activities, in line with the principle of high value, low impact principle.

However, tourism stakeholders welcome the council’s move to review the policy, which they said was long overdue.

The guides’ association and hoteliers say that the policy must ensure equal distribution of power and income within the industry. They said that in the existing system, it’s tour operators who make all the decisions and take the lion’s share of the minimum daily tariff.

Some suggested that there be a change in the existing principle of high value, low impact and that the minimum daily tariff of USD 200 and 250 be done away with. Others said that for tourism benefits to trickle down to the grassroots, there was a need for a structural change.

However, a majority of tour operators support the high value, low impact principle but point out that the industry is in a dire need of a vision and strategy. To address sustainable tourism, tour operators said a master plan or policy has become essential.

Since tourism activities were privatised in the ‘90s, tourism business started with 15 government-trained guides, 33 operators, a handicraft shop, and two government-owned hotels.  Today, there are over 2,300 guides, 1,600 tour operators and 123 hotels in the country.

Contributed by: Kinga Dema (Kuensel)

Thy kingdom come: why you should visit Bhutan this year

It’s Visit Bhutan Year, so what better reason to explore this extraordinary Himalayan nation?

Sometimes known as the Lost Shangri-La and Land of the Thunder Dragon, the world’s youngest democracy adheres to alcohol-free Tuesdays and a plastic bag ban, won’t slaughter animals (but does import meat from India) and, after a dalliance with traffic lights in the capital city Thimphu, takes directions from dapper policemen standing in the middle of the road. This is, after all, the country that has famously used “gross national happiness” (GNH) as a measure for determining national policies for omore than 40 years.

The adoption of GNH as the guiding philosophy of the then 25-year-old independent nation of Bhutan was one of many revolutionary measures introduced by its fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The “King-Father of Bhutan” reigned from 1972 to 2006, dragging the country out of a centuries-long time warp.

Implementing GNH just four months into his rule, on his 17th birthday, he went on to launch Bhutan’s international airline, Drukair, in 1983; lifted bans on television and the internet in 1999; and set the wheels in motion to turn the country into a constitutional monarchy.

In 2006 he abdicated in favour of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, enabling the fifth king to put the finishing touches to Bhutan’s democratisation and oversee its first parliamentary elections in 2008.

The introduction of tourism to Bhutan was another of Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s reforms. Recognising both the value international visitors could contribute and the damage they could wreak to one of the world’s most pristine cultures and environments, he implemented a policy of “high value, low impact” tourism in 1974, obliging international visitors to pay a daily tariff of $130. It has since risen to a maximum of $250 but takes into account accommodation, an obligatory guide and access to key sights.

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Serene setting: Uma Paro’s interior and spa
The policy (in conjunction, perhaps, with the fact that Drukair only has five planes and five pilots deemed capable of navigating the precarious route into Paro airport) has successfully prevented an influx of “low value” travellers and their associated budget hostels and tacky tourist stalls. It has also spawned a rash of luxurious hotels and established Bhutan as the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime destination.

Within hours of landing at Paro and after a restorative ginger tea at the valley’s flagship hotel, Uma Paro, I was following Karma, my guide for the week, along a fragrant path carpeted in pine needles and flanked by flowering dogwoods and Szechuan pepper plants. Winding high above the valley, we reached an ancient temple set amid Himalayan cypress trees and fluttering prayer flags before descending to Paro’s spectacular dzong, one of countless imposing fortresses that dot the Bhutanese landscape, serving as monastic and administrative centres.

A stroll around the food market revealed strings of chugo, yak cheese boiled in milk and dried in the sun; hessian bags overflowing with dried chillies and powdered juniper incense; and squares of khoo: dried, jellied cow skin. Their lips stained vermillion with betel nut juice, the vendors offered us samples, their weathered faces breaking into wide smiles at the reaction of the chilip (foreigner).

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The Tiger’s Nest monastery
Even if you know little about this Himalayan kingdom, chances are you’ve seen a photograph of the Tiger’s Nest: the stupendous Taktsang monastery that clings to precipitous, prayer-flag bedecked cliffs 10,240ft above Paro valley. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for seeing this mystical place myself, a generous reward for a steep climb past prayer wheels and waterfalls and through rhododendron forests.

Listening to crimson-robed monks playing drums and flutes in shaded courtyards, and watching the richly painted temple walls come alive in the light of flickering yak butter candles, was bewitching.

We’d hiked up to the monastery first thing in the morning, ensuring we had the place almost to ourselves for a couple of hours, leaving time for another steep walk to a temple set across a ravine from Tiger’s Nest.

Passing beneath a rowdy family of golden langur monkeys, we reached the temple, which delivered sweeping views of the monastery. As I marvelled at the view, Karma took out a slender bamboo flute and began to play a lilting folk tune. Builders renovating the temple roof soon downed tools and sang along, the fluttering prayer flags keeping a gentle beat.

Over the coming days, as I travelled between Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, Karma would play his flute and recount tales of warring deities and promiscuous saints as we walked through luminous paddy fields and dense poinsettia forests to reach richly-decorated temples and stupas. He coaxed me across suspension bridges above turbulent rivers and took me on a long, bucolic bike ride alongside the Paro river. He taught me archery, Bhutan’s national sport, and an ancient form of darts called kuru in the shade of pine trees at Uma Paro.

Both this hotel and its sister property, Uma Punakha, reflect how rapidly Bhutan is catching up with the rest of the world: the Paro property, which opened in 2004, is all traditional Bhutanese architecture with a dash of colonial grandeur. Uma Punakha, eight years younger, comes complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, low-slung white sofas, watermelon margaritas and Wagyu beef burgers. The latter is said to be a particular favourite of the King when he’s at his summer residence nearby. As the hotel’s manager, Thamu Krishnan, confirms: “Given how little there was here 10 years ago, the progress is astounding: every monk has a mobile, every lama has a laptop.”

Similary, tourism to Bhutan has increased rapidly. International arrivals were just under 10,000 in 2004, increasing to almost 60,000 last year. That said, this is still less than the number of visitors Venice receives in a single day.

November 11 will herald the 60th birthday of the visionary King-Father, a milestone which is being celebrated by the country throughout the year with special literary and dance festivals, concerts, tree planting and fire blessings. It’s billed as Visit Bhutan Year and really you should, to glimpse an extraordinary country that’s catching up with the world but at its own pace and in its own way.

CONTRIBUTED BY: Gabriella Le Breton

7 Bhutan Cities You Need To Hit Up — Stat

If you’ve booked a trip to Bhutan, chances are, your itinerary has already been set by your travel agent. Not many travelers can head to Bhutan without a guide or a driver to lead the way. The exclusive, yet jetset-worthy country, aka: Kingdom of Happiness, remains accessible to those who can actually afford to go there.

The number of cities you’ll be visiting depends on how long you’ll be staying in Bhutan. For the most part, if you’re spending 10 days in the Happiest Country in Asia, there’s no doubt you’ll be spending a few days in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. A few more days, then you’ll be moving toward the eastern part of the country: Trongsa and Bumthang.

Get familiar with where you’re going prior to your trip, below is a quick and easy breakdown of cities we’ve selected and what you can expect when you make these city stops!

1. Thimphu

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, where you’ll immediately sense the nation’s spiritual, deeply conservative, yet kind and generous atmosphere. In  recent years, the city has been heading toward modernism with westernized constructions, and democratic social changes. You’ll absolutely be visiting: Tango Buddhist University, Tashichho Dzong, National Institute of Traditional Art, Bhutan Textile Museum, and the extraordinary Dochula Pass. What a culturati’s dream!

Wendy Bhutan Thimphu

2. Paro

Home of the famous Tiger’s Nest, Paro is also where the country’s international airport is located. This touristic valley is growing with more travelers visiting every year. Situated in the west part of Bhutan, approximately 45 minutes (by car) from Thimphu, Paro welcomes travelers with beautiful lodging, delectable restaurants and traditional shops. Of course, don’t miss out on Tiger’s Nest and Rinpung Dzong.

bhutan tiger's nest

3. Punakha

One of the most deeply spiritual grounds in Bhutan is Punakha – the country’s capital until it was later moved to Thimphu. It is situated on the east side of Thimphu and can be reach by car in 3 hours. Punakha is the city that held the royal wedding back in 2011, thus it still plays in important role among 20 districts of Bhutan. Travelers arrive here mainly for the Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lahkhang Monastery, where you will meet many lamas of all ages, running around like little rascals!

Punakha Dzong from the highway

4. Trongsa

As the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family, Trongsa is where you’ll visit a gorgeous watchtower. If you’ve ever wondered what a Himalayan village looks like, then it’s in Trongsa where you’ll see yak herder’s camps and snap photos of numerous yaks during wintertime.

Flickr Anja Disseldorp Trongsa Dzong

Flickr/Anja Disseldorp

5. Bumthang

Bumthang isn’t exactly a city, but a province. But we needed to put this on the list since it’ll be 1-2 days of your itinerary especially if you’ll be spending more than 10 days in Bhutan. Bumthang is spacious, basically a trekker’s dream. Made up of 4 valleys: Chummey, Tang, Ura and Choskhor (Jakar); Bumthang is ideal for nature-lovers, outdoor adventurers. Each valley is beautiful yet wildly different. For example, Ura valley is the highest where you’ll witness unusal village and clusters of big houses with flagstone alleys. On the other hand, Jakar Valley contains a modern touch with Swiss influence.

Flickr Nagarjun Kandukuru Bumthang Bhutan

Flickr/Nagarjun Kandukuru

6. Trashigang

Located in the eastern part of Bhutan, Trashigang is the largest district in Bhutan and home of the first accredited college in Bhutan: Sherubtse College. This is also where you can catch the perfect view of two rivers’ convergence: Manas River (or Drangme Chu) and Kulong Chu which rises in the northern Himalaya snow ranges of Bhutan.

Flickr muddum27 Bhutan

Flickr/muddum27

7. Wangdue Phodrang

The landscapes in Wangdue Phodrang are so beautiful that it attracts many hikers, campers and cyclists. Three attractions can easily be done in a day, including: Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and Gangtey Monastery. In addition, don’t miss out on the best time to view black-necked cranes of Bhutan is from October to February.The Crane Festival occurs on November 22nd every year, when numerous cranes arrive from Tibet. A sight for sore eyes!

Attempting to crane watch in Wangdue Phodrang

 

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