With three years remaining under the 13th Five-Year Plan, questions are being raised over the pace of tourism development spending. During the National Assembly’s question hour yesterday, Khamdang-Ramjar MP sought explanations for the slow utilisation of funds allocated to the sector considered vital to Bhutan’s economy.
MP Namgay Dorji said Parliament approved over Nu 2.21bn for tourism under the 13th Five-Year Plan. This includes Nu 1bn from the Economic Stimulus Programme.
He said, however, only 17.18 per cent, amounting to around Nu 380 M, has been utilised in the past two fiscal years.
“A sum of over Nu 224.2 M, as proposed, was endorsed, which, if fully utilised would account for 27.9 per cent of the amount for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-2027. There is still over Nu 1.6bn remaining to be utilised in the last two fiscal years. And I am sure all of us have seen the concerns of a lack of infrastructure such as toilets and parking spaces in social media. Considering that the sector generates huge income and we do not have much time now. So, how is the Ministry strategising to utilise the above remaining fund?”
Namgyal Dorji, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister said, “Under the 13th Five-Year Plan, the revised government allocation for tourism stands at Nu 1.27bn. In addition, tourism received Nu 932.7 M under the ESP over the past two fiscal years, bringing the total allocation to Nu 2.204bn. A further Nu 845 M has been allocated for the hotel loan interest subsidy programme. This brings the total tourism-related outlay under the 13th Five-Year Plan to Nu 3.04bn, not Nu 2.21bn.”
The minister said over Nu 224.5 M has been utilised from the Nu 932.7 M ESP allocation, while most projects are still under implementation.
He added that the Thimphu Kaja Throm expansion project alone has an allocation of more than Nu 456.1 M, of which only Nu 7 M has been spent so far.
The minister also said over Nu 332.6 M has been allocated for tourism infrastructure projects across several districts.
Namgyal Dorji, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister said, “Major projects include the Twin Waterfall Recreational Stopover Area in Zhemgang worth Nu 12.2 M, the Duenmang Tshachu expansion worth Nu 52.6 M, and the Nganglam Recreational Park and Cycling Trail, completed last year at a cost of Nu 31.8 M. Other projects include birding and trekking infrastructure development along the Samdrup Jongkhar–Trashigang highway worth Nu 37 M, and tourism projects in Gomphu Kora and Serutar worth about Nu 20 M.”
The minister said these projects alone account for nearly Nu 590 M or about 26 per cent of the total allocation. However, implementation is in its early stages.
The Minister said he is confident that all tourism projects under the Nu 932.7 M ESP allocation will be completed and fully utilised by June next year.
Devika Pradhan
