Tourism industry around the globe is suffering major loss due to Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) outbreak and Bhutan is no exception. The country incurred a loss of USD$ 2.2 M within the two weeks’ travel suspension the government imposed following the first Covid-19 case detected last Thursday.
And the loss wouldn’t be minimised anytime soon. With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Covid-19 a pandemic, the Prime Minister said it wouldn’t be wise to re-open Bhutan to tourists for some time.
Key players of the tourism industry including hoteliers, travel agents, aviation sector, cottage industry and those employed in the industry are the hardest hit as is the case across the globe. That being said, there is no way out of this. The government said health is the topmost priority for now and that they may not open Bhutan for tourists until the global situation stabilizes.
“Global situation is worsening. WHO has declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. So I think it wouldn’t be wise to allow tourists into the country for some time. So we need to look into the situation. We will also keep people updated on the matter. The imposed two weeks’ ban is just a few days away, and I don’t think we can allow tourists into the country within this time,” said Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.
For Bhutan, the tourism industry is the second highest contributor to the country’s revenue. The industry earned Bhutan more than USD$ 85 M in 2018 of which more than USD$ 26 M was into government’s revenue. Going by United Nation’s World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) assumption the country will see comparatively lesser international tourists arrivals this year.
UNWTO estimates that Asia and the Pacific will be the most affected region with a decrease of 9 per cent to 12 per cent in international tourist arrivals in 2020.
Phub Gyem
