A 13-member tourism development board (TDB) has been established to enhance the tourism sector in the country. The government says the establishment of the board is in line with the Bhutan Tourism review 2016 recommendations.
It is also one of the government’s pledges to be implemented in 120 days.
TDB would look into marketing aspects, multi-sectoral involvement and strategize tourism development in the country.
The board members comprise of both the government and private sectors. The government members include the director general and a planning officer with Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) secretariat, the chief planning officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Home and Cultural Affairs, Information and Communications, Economic Affairs, Labour and Human Resources and the Gross National Happiness Commission.
The private sector members are the executive directors of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, Guide Association of Bhutan, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan, and Handicraft Association of Bhutan.
“So far, since 1974, the tourism sector has been following ‘high value, low volume’ as a general guiding principle but there is no separate policy. So, without a concrete policy, it has many associated problems. But when I consulted with my colleagues in TCB, it can be easily addressed with a policy with the support from the government,” Dorji Dradhul, the Director General of TCB, said.
The prime minister during the meet the press session said, if taken care of the sector, the sector has avenues for employment opportunities apart from the revenue generation.
“In terms of income generation, tourism is next to hydropower sector. But if we redefine some procedures for employment generations in the tourism sector, it will easily overtake the hydropower sector,” Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said.
Meanwhile, the tourism council will be chaired by the foreign minister.
“We created the council and board as per the Bhutan tourism review. The separate body will look at marketing, promoting tourism. With all the board members at the working level, we are hoping they will be very active to bring in issues that concern the tourism sector to the council,” Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji said.
From this year, the council has included Trashi Yangtse and Sarpang Dzongda as board members for regional representation of ideas, concerns and plans in enhancing tourism.
