Tourists visiting Bhutan can now plan their itinerary according to their liking. In a bid to enhance the tourism industry and improve visitor experience, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the GovTech Agency, has developed a mobile application called the Tourism Bhutan Mobile App. The app which was launched today coinciding with the World Tourism Day intends to streamline itinerary planning and engagement for tourists in Bhutan.
According to the Director of the Department of Tourism, tourists can download the app prior to their visit to Bhutan to plan their journeys, engage with local service providers, and provide feedback on their experiences.
The app, available on both iOS and android phones, offers a variety of features, allowing users to explore Bhutan’s different districts, discover special activities, and access information on local food and drinks, events, festivals, tour operators, guides, hotels, and sustainable development fees.
Kezang Choden, Tourism Officer of the Marketing and Promotion Division at the Department of Tourism said “This app is going to be one-stop-information platform for our visitors, trade partners, and any other relevant partners. The current version of the app is static. We have four phases, and we are currently in the first phase. We will keep on adding new features, such as live weather forecast, payment gateways, and tracking maps among others.”
She added that the app also enables hoteliers and tour operators to check their ratings, and tour operators to select guides based on their ratings and experience.
In addition to the app, the department also introduced the Tashel ZoomDu initiative, an online zoom platform designed for tourism stakeholders. Through this platform, the stakeholders can submit concerns and suggestions via an online form, which will be addressed in a monthly zoom meeting.
The director said that these initiatives are aimed at addressing the evolving nature of tourism in Bhutan to attract more tourists, and boost revenue.
From January to July this year, Bhutan welcomed over 78,000 tourists.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
