The Environment and Climate Change Committee of the National Assembly today recommended the House to exempt the payment of tourism levy for eleven selected districts. The recommendation was made today in the National assembly while deliberating on the Tourism Levy and Exemption Bill of Bhutan 2020.
The Chapter 3 Section 8 of the Tourism levy Exemption Act of Bhutan 2018 states “An international leisure tourist visiting eastern circuit shall be exempted from payment of applicable tourism levy for the duration of their stay.” However, the committee recommended that “A leisure tourist visiting selected dzongkhags as per schedule shall be exempted from payment of applicable tourism levy for the duration of their stay.” The selected districts include Tsirang, Dagana, Zhemgang, Trongsa and Sarpang along with six eastern districts.
“We have added other districts to the six eastern districts to bring balanced regional development. For example, Dagana received very less tourist. Therefore, we felt we should give opportunities to all the districts. This is the main reason for including selected districts,” said Gyem Dorji, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Draagteng_Langthil.
However, the Chhumig Ura MP said that all dzongkhags should be treated equally.
“The committee has recommended selected districts and I personally do not support this. this is because the earlier government also exempted fees in eastern districts and I have not heard of any advantages it has brought. And now as eleven districts are included for exemption, it will further discourage the tourist that the places are not worthy,” said Karma Wangchuk, the Chhumig Ura MP.
The committee has been directed to rework on the recommendations to present it for the final decision.
