Bhutan Launches New Tourism Services Portal

Bhutan’s Department of Tourism has launched a new Tourism Services Portal to streamline the visitor experience. To date, more than 400 Bhutanese tour operators, nearly 1,000 certified guides, 100 hotels, more than a dozen homestays and several other service providers in Bhutan have joined the site.

“This portal is a game-changer for visitors to Bhutan, enabling them to find and connect easily with a preferred Bhutanese tour operator and plan the perfect trip; the user-friendly interface and drop-down filters make the search process intuitive, enhancing the overall visitor experience,” says Kinley Gyeltshen, chairman of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators.

As Bhutan celebrates 50 years of international tourism in 2024, the launch of the site is a milestone in the country’s journey to modernize and sustain its unique approach to tourism. Bhutan’s Department of Tourism is responsible for the development and promotion of sustainable tourism in the country. The new portal is being promoted to guests through the website of Bhutan’s Department of Tourism, marketing collaterals and social media.

Good to know: Applying for a visa or permit to Bhutan is simple. All visitors from the United States (among most other countries) must have a visa and permit before traveling to Bhutan. Visitors can apply online for a visa or permit or via a Bhutanese tour operator. It takes around five days to process a visa. All guests must also pay Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per person per night (reduced rates apply for children) and a non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of $40. The SDF funds important cultural, environmental, health and educational projects across Bhutan.

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