Tourism sector was the highest foreign exchange earner for the country in 2011, states the State of the Nation Report, which was presented in the parliament on Monday.
Prime Minister, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley said last year’s gross earnings from the tourism industry was US$ 47.48 million, an increase of about 32 percent from 2010.
The Prime Minister also informed the parliament that the government has taken various initiatives to attract tourists in the country. This includes promoting Bhutan as a place of happiness and organizing culture based festivals like Bumthang nomads festival, Haa summer festival, Takin festival and rhododendron festival.
Lyonchhoen also added that a guideline for the development of facilities like spas is being developed to attract tourists. In terms of number of tourists arrival, he said over 1,00,800 tourists visited Bhutan last year. The government’s target was 65,000 tourists.
