Although the weather remains chilly in Merak, Trashigang, the excitement for Rhododendron Week is heating up. Locals are preparing their homestays to welcome guests, both locals and international. For the first time in a while, the homestays, usually less frequented, have begun receiving bookings in anticipation of the event.
The Rhododendron week at Sheytemi in Merak is just two weeks away. The weeklong event will be held from the 3rd to the 9th of April.
Homestay owners are busy getting ready to host visitors.
Dawa owns one of the three homestays in Merak. While he has been handling minor maintenance tasks at his homestay, his wife has been cleaning and organising the rooms.
This time, they will be hosting 20 visitors, attending the festival, a group much larger than anything they have ever managed since opening the homestay. They usually gather two or three people at a time.
He said, “When they announced the Rhododendron week a month ago, I received a call from Thimphu and booked my entire house. I’ve done cleaning and maintenance, including electrical work, in preparation.”
Like him, other homestay owners are thrilled at the opportunity to host more guests.
“I used to get only a few guests, but this time, I’ve had more room bookings for the Rhododendron week. I hope to receive more calls for bookings in the future. If this programme continues, it will benefit us even more in the next one or two years,” said Ngaden, a proprietor of Aum Ngaden Merak Village Homestay.
Besides homestays in Meraks, hotels and resorts in Trashigang are also benefiting from the festival.
“I can’t say for certain whether guests are coming specifically for the Sheytemi programme or other reasons, but we do have bookings for that week. This year will definitely help with marketing, and we’ve even had an agent survey for Rhododendron Week next year. I believe we will benefit greatly next year,” said Jambay Yudon, the Proprietor of Druk Doethjung Resort.
Trashigang District in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, is organizing the Rhododendron week. The festival not only celebrates the beauty of the region but also opens doors for future tourism, bringing new opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Sangay Chezom
