People working in tourism and affiliated sectors have shown strong interest in alternative employment like agriculture and vocational works such as electrician, delivery, carpentry and plumbing, according to the Rapid Socio-economic Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on Bhutan’s Tourism Sector.
The National Statistics Bureau and UNDP Bhutan carried out the assessment, interviewing 1,285 individuals engaged in tourism and affiliated sectors.
According to the report, agriculture was the most popular category with over 23 percent indicating their interest in agriculture. Others were interested in electrician (19 percent), carpentry (13 percent), plumbing (12 percent), delivery (19 percent), cleaning (10 percent), and loading and unloading (8 percent).
Many also expressed interest in occupations similar to their current jobs such as culinary arts, secretarial work, accounting, beauty salon, IT, marketing and other areas such as painting, weaving and business development.
Almost equal proportion of men and women showed interest in agriculture, cleaning, and delivery services.
However, gender patterns differed for interest in vocations such as plumbing, electricity, carpentry, and related options. Around 47 percent of male and only 16 percent of female respondents expressed interest in these categories.
Among the respondents who were self-employed (mostly tailors and street vendors), 64 percent were not interested in the alternative choices provided. This was because their businesses are still partially open and they would rather start another business or find opportunities in their existing area of work.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan estimates that over 50,000 Bhutanese or six percent of the population and 16 percent of the working population are engaged in the tourism sector.
Tshering Zam
