Tourists and visitors will now be able to visit seven monument sites paying old rates starting tomorrow. The Department of Tourism has revised the entry fees following a committee meeting. The department says facilities like toilets and trails have to be maintained properly. Entry fees for eight other sites were also lifted.
The entry fee for Taktshang in Paro is reduced to Nu 1000 from Nu 2000. Similarly, the entry fees for Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, Changangkha Lhakhang, the Memorial Chorten and Tashichodzong in Thimphu, Punakha Dzong, and Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha are reduced by half to Nu 500.
As per the National Monument Supervision Committee, children below the age of 18 will be given a 50 per cent concession on entry fees. Meanwhile, children aged five and below do not have to pay the fees.
Similarly, visitors will no longer have to pay entry fees when visiting Jakar Dzong, Simtokha Dzong, Buddha Dordenma, Dobji Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Rinchending Lhakhang, and Rinpung Dzong.
The Department of Tourism’s Director General said that they cannot charge the tourists beyond the quality of service provided. He also said that the number of tourists has also decreased at some of these sites. The department is in the process of revamping the infrastructure.
According to the Director General, facilities like toilets were damaged with stones, sticks, and plastics thrown mostly by local visitors.
Meanwhile, an online monument site booking and payment system has been introduced to enhance service delivery. Visitors can now avail themselves of tickets to monument sites without having to go to the particular site. Police personnel on duty will verify the electronic tickets at the entrances.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sherub Dorji
