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Tourists buying gold from the duty-free Shops in Bhutan - Bhutan Forum

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Tourists buying gold from the duty-free Shops in Bhutan

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Hello everyone,

Warms greetings from Thimphu, Bhutan!

All tourists can buy 20 grams of gold if they fulfill the following requirements:

1. Pay Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

2. Produce a receipt for spending a minimum of one night in a Department of Tourism-certified hotel.

3. Pay in USD

4. Produce visa/permit copy. Or SDF payment receipt issued by the Department of Revenue and Customs

5. Submit a photocopy of the passport and voter identity card also accepted for Indians.

Duty-Free Shops: Location & Contact Numbers

Phuntsholing

Address: Bank of Bhutan (Main Branch)

Contact: 17455553

Opening Hours: 10 am – 3 pm (Monday – Friday) & closed on weekend

Address: Norzin Lam, Chubachu

Contact: 17856807

Opening Hours: 10 am – 3 pm (Wednesday – Monday) & closed on Tuesday only.

Gold Price:

Please find the link below to check gold prices sold by the Bhutan Duty-Free Limited (BDFL) shops. And please take note of the ‘IMPORTANT’ advisory.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE GOLD PRICE: https://gold-bt.onrender.com/

Happy shopping!

44 replies to this topic

This was mentioned already just before I left Bhutan

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293844-i10038-k14299050-Bhutan_Duty_Free_Gold_Sale-Bhutan.html

. And for your information: in Delhi airport, just before the exit to customs is a big sign saying that all gold has to be declaired, also jewellry.

So plan carefully if this is worth it.

Hello Bhutantraveller,

Thank you for your kind information, much appreciated.

Have a great time!

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum posting guidelines with prohibiting self-promotional advertising or solicitation.

At 1342 us dollars for 20 gm,it is costlier than the current price in India

Thanks for the update. Not as cheap as I would think of.

Tripadvisor staff has removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to off-topic chat.

Upto wat gms we can bring to India.

what is today rate of gold rate for Duty free shop?

Hello Dinesh A,

Please visit this link: https://gold-bt.onrender.com/

Want 20gm man chain pay Eur

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Bhutan Introduces Tax-Free Gold For Tourists

Bhutan is a beautiful country that greatly relies on tourism with over 50000 people employed in the sector. It closed its borders in March 2020 to stop the spread of Covid 19 and reopened its borders after a 2 years gap in September 2022.

On the 21st of February 2023 after a few months of opening the border, the Bhutanese government announced that tourists visiting Bhutan can buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimpu from the 1st of March. If you're planning on visiting this country for a vacation with the best Bhutan tour package , you can also buy gold at lower rates.

According to the government, this decision was made to celebrate the birth anniversary of the king, the Bhutanese new year, and to promote tourism. This scheme is said to be extremely beneficial for Indian tourists as they make up a huge part and the largest number of tourists in Bhutan.

Although all tourists are allowed to buy duty-free gold in Bhutan but there are certain conditions you need to fulfill before buying. According to the government, all tourists who pay a sustainable development fee (SDF), have travel insurance, and stay at least one night at a 3-star or above hotel certified by the Department of Tourism are eligible to buy the duty-free gold.

The daily SDF is about 1200 rs for tourists from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives while it is about 200 dollars for tourists from other nations. After spending a night in Bhutan all tourists are eligible to buy duty-free gold but they have to pay in US dollars and not in Bhutanese currency or the currency of their country.

Indian tourists can buy 10 grams of 24k gold at about 45,177 BTN with a maximum of 20g for both men and women and since one BTN is roughly one rupee it is a great deal. Tourists can take advantage of this scheme as the central board of indirect taxes and customs allows Indian male tourists to bring about 50000 rupees and Indian women to bring about 1 lakh worth of gold from abroad.

In conclusion, here are all the conditions travelers need to fulfill to buy duty-free gold offered by Bhutan:

- Travellers need to pay a sustainable development fee of 1200 per person which is already mandatory for visitors

- Travellers must stay for at least one night in a 3-star or above hotel certified by the Tourism Department of Bhutan

- Travellers need to get travel insurance

- All travelers buying gold must pay in USD($) or US dollars

- Travellers can buy up to 20 grams of gold per person

The gold is sold in duty-free outlets owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry in Phuentsholing and Thimpu from Monday to Friday. Following these conditions, you can buy gold at lower rates, have a relaxing vacation, and visit the compelling country of Bhutan with the best Bhutan tour packages from Gemini Tours and Travels.

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Bhutan Offers Duty-Free Gold to Offset Tourism Fee Impact

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

March 22nd, 2023 at 8:00 AM EDT

Bhutan is looking for the Midas touch for its tourism, quite literally. But will that make price-sensitive tourists disregard the otherwise high tourism fees?

Peden Doma Bhutia

Setting a new “gold standard” for travel, Bhutan is now offering duty-free gold to visitors, who may have been discouraged to visit the destination due to the high sustainable tourism fee .

However, certain terms and conditions must be met before travelers can avail the gold at duty-free rate, which is approximately $529 for 10 grams of 24 karat gold.

All tourists who pay the sustainable development fee can buy the duty-free gold, said Karma Lotey, CEO of Yangphel Adventure Travel, a travel company based in Bhutan.

“Guests would have to spend at least one night in a certified hotel to avail the special duty-free pricing and would need to pay for the gold in U.S. dollars,” noted Lotey. .

The move, according to many, is specially directed towards Indian tourists, who till 2020 had been granted free entry into Bhutan and are now required to shell out $15 per day, per person as sustainable development fee.

“Since the introduction of the sustainable development fee for Indians, we have seen a drop of around 50 percent of tourists from India compared to pre-pandemic levels,” said Lotey.

Over 73 percent of total arrivals to Bhutan in 2019 were from India. Of the 315,599 inbound arrivals to Bhutan, 230,381 were from India.

Since Bhutan’s reopening post Covid, between September-December 2022, 16,520 tourists have visited the country, of which 8,273 were Indian tourists.

“The main objective of the scheme is to provide additional value to guests visiting Bhutan,” Lotey said.

And the “additional value” for Indian guests in this case would be around $200 as 10 grams of 24 karat gold costs approximately $727 in India.

That’s why many feel this is Bhutan’s way of sweetening the deal for Indian tourists — its biggest source market.

Sustainable Development Fee for Indians

When Bhutan opened its borders last year in September, the country hiked its sustainable development fee for foreign travelers from $65 to $200 per person, per night.

Indian tourists, who were exempted to pay the sustainable development fee till 2020, were asked to pay $15 per day, per person.

Travel agents have observed that the implementation of a sustainable development fee in Bhutan has dissuaded cost-conscious Indian tourists from traveling to the country.

To provide context, for a four-night stay in Bhutan, a family of four from India would be required to pay $240 as sustainable development fee, which is almost 40 percent of the total tour cost, excluding airfare.

“The introduction of the new fee had a significant impact on tourism to Bhutan from India, particularly among the mass market, who found it an expensive proposition to pay $15 per person per night,” said Debjit Dutta, director and CEO of Impression Tourism Services, an India-based responsible destination marketing company.

With 10 grams of 24 karat gold almost $200 cheaper in Bhutan, Indians who can afford to pay for it might find it lucrative to visit Bhutan, said Dutta.

Indians Love Their Bling

An integral part of Indian traditions and rituals, gold doesn’t just have a long-standing cultural and religious significance, it is also seen as a safe and reliable investment option.

India was the largest consumer of gold before being overtaken by China in 2009. In 2021, India bought 611 tonnes of gold jewelery, second only to China (673 tonnes), according to the World Gold Council.

Gold jewellery exports in India have grown from $7.6 billion in 2015 to $12.4 billion in 2019.

Male passengers in India are exempted to pay customs duty on gold jewellery with an aggregate weight of upto 20 grams and a maximum monetary value of $605, while the exemption for female passengers is 40 grams and a maximum monetary value of $1210.

While Lotey said it may be too early to comment on the demand following the introduction of the scheme, he noted a significant interest from both Indian and other international tourists.

“There is a lot of buzz and excitement in the market about it,” observed Lotey.

However, Lotey noted that the number of Indian tourists is picking up every month, and the present inflow of tourists is better than the initial forecast.

Bhutan’s High Value, Low Volume Mantra

Although some may view the sustainable development fee as a disincentive, Dutta said its implementation did not come as a surprise as Bhutan has always prioritized quality over quantity by limiting tourism in the past.

The Covid-19 pandemic provided Bhutan with an opportunity to reevaluate its approach towards its “high value, low volume” tourism policy .

“Bhutan’s strategic policy aims to ensure sustainable tourism practices while addressing concerns about the destination’s carrying capacity,” Dutta said and considers Bhutan an excellent model for other destinations looking to develop a sustainable and responsible tourism industry.

However, some also argue that the previous behavior of some Indian tourists played a role in the need for the fee.

Earlier, when there was no tourism fee, tourists would arrive via Phuentsholing, treat the destination as a picnic spot, and leave after a day or two, according to Dipankar Sarkar, the general manager of Travel and Living, a travel company based in India’s Jaigaon that shares a border with Bhutan.

Sarkar stated that visitors who now pay the sustainable development fee are more serious about exploring Bhutan and recognize their responsibility towards the destination.

Bhutan is also attempting to balance the tourism fee with incentives like lowering the entrance charge for many tourism destinations.

Lotey noted that India has always been Bhutan’s top source market for tourism, and it remains an incredibly crucial market.

“The Department of Tourism and relevant private tourism players have marketing and sales strategies in place to attract Indian travelers to Bhutan this year,” Lotey informed.

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Tags: asia monthly , bhutan , coronavirus recovery , fees , india outbound , sustainability , sustainable tourism , tourism tax

Photo credit: Bhutan is now luring travelers with duty-free gold to visit the country. Setu Chhaya / Pexels

Bhutan To Sell Gold At Duty-Free Shops In A Bid To Boost Tourism: Report

All sdf-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a department of tourism-certified hotel..

Gold will be available for purchase in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu.

Tourists visiting Bhutan, who pay the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF), can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu. According to Bhutan's national media outlet, Kuensel , the decision was taken by the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) to mark the birth anniversary of Bhutan's King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year.

The new scheme is expected to benefit Indians the most, who are among the largest cohort of tourists visiting Bhutan. As per the outlet , all SDF-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. The gold will be available for purchase from March 1, in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu.

"To mark the double auspicious day (Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year), the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) will sell limited quantities of duty-free gold for SDF-paying tourists," the media outlet stated.

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"All SDF-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. The gold will be available for purchase from March 1, in Thimphu and Phuentsholing," it added.

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Further, as per the report, the gold will be sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry. Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan's duty-free outlets "will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism".

Notably, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India (as on February 27, 2023) costs Rs 51,400. The same amount of gold costs Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) 40,286 in Bhutan.

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𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋: 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬

Extra reasons for tourists to travel Bhutan; Duty-free gold

…𝒅𝒖𝒕𝒚-𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 7,385 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 2023

Sonam Deki Bhutan has put-up duty-free gold for sale to the tourists visiting the country, who may have been deterred earlier from traveling in because of the revised Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). With implementation of the new SDF, the inflows of tourists from the neighboring countries were also deterred affecting businesses in the southern bordering parts of the country. However, in Phuntsholing, businesses dependent on tourists have indicated some positive development.

The goal is to provide extra reasons for tourists to travel to Bhutan, according to Dorji Dhradhul, Director General of the Department of Tourism. “Although it moves slowly, I believe it is accomplishing its goals. According to what I’ve heard, sales of gold are up this month compared to March. Therefore, it is a positive sign as it is increasing. The majority of people don’t know about it now, but we are confident that it will become more widespread in the future. “This introduction is another offer to tourism,” he continued. “Duty-free gold is available to tourists in Bhutan; it is both an attraction and a product. It is a brand-new commodity for our tourism industry; some visitors will come to Bhutan just to purchase gold.”

On March 1, gold selling began in stores (Duty free outlets) in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, and at the same time, the inflow of tourists has been improving.

A total of 7,385 tourists arrived in the month of March, 2023 which is slightly less than the number of arrivals in October, 2022 the strongest month so far with 8,313 arrivals. From April 1 to 15, the country has recorded arrivals of 7,072 tourists.

A total of 40,665 tourists have arrived in Bhutan from September 23, 2022 until April 15, 2023. Out of the figure, 23,944 are Indian guests who have paid Nu. 1200 a person, per night, while 16,721 are other international guests paying USD 200 per person, per night. Out of the 16,721 guests, 8945 have paid the old SDF rate of USD 65, while 7776 have paid the revised SDF rate of USD 200. The Department of Immigration has confirmed that this arrival data does not include those visitors who have come as official guests, or for meetings, conferences and exhibitions, or those invited by government agencies.

“The numbers are looking encouraging and gradually picking up. Beginning this year, we have seen more tourists come in paying the new SDF rate as compared to the old rate. The department of tourism will continue efforts to facilitate more positive global coverage in Bhutan and generate more tourist arrivals,” Director General further added. When tourists purchase 20 grams of gold, they must pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), show a receipt attesting their stay of at least a night in a Department of Tourism-approved hotel, and make their payment in US dollars. The business folks also benefited from rules set for the duty-free gold buyers.

The majority of business owners in Phuentsholing concurred that there has been a little rise in customers since the country initiated sale of Duty-Free Gold, which is beneficial to their businesses as well.

“I can notice a slight change in the number of tourists after the opening sale of duty-free gold,” said an official from Hotel Amo Chhu View. “More than 30 tourists came to our hotel on April 19 mainly to purchase gold and there were tourists who came for holiday packages too.”

“We didn’t have any tourists who specifically came to buy gold, but some of the tourists who came bought it when they saw,” said Tshering, a receptionist at Hotel Phuntsholing. “Following the 24-hour Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) waiver, we have been inundated with inquiries about gold and SDF. Although not much, there has been a slight increase in customers after the opening of duty free gold,” he added.

The owner of Hotel Gadhen Namgayling stated, “We didn’t receive any visitors who came intentionally to purchase gold, but the visitors that were here took the hotel confirmation voucher to buy gold. Five tourists have taken the hotel confirmation voucher to purchase gold as of now.”

Passang Dorji, working at Tashi Namgay Grand said, “I cannot say much about the duty-free gold, but since the SDF was waived for 24 hours on April 14, we have benefited much. This was advantageous for all businesses, not just hotels. An increase in tourists has been observed after that.”

Bhutan to sell duty-free gold for SDF-paying tourists

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 Favorite

To mark the birth anniversary of Bhutan’s King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, a decision was taken by the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) to make gold duty-free in Phuentsholing and Thimphu for tourists who pay the ‘Sustainable Development Fee’ (SDF) in Bhutan.

Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan’s duty-free outlets “will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism”.

The new scheme is likely to benefit Indians the most, as they are the largest group of tourists to Bhutan.

According to Bhutan’s national media outlet, Kuensel, any SDF-paying tourist will be able to acquire duty-free gold if they stay at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel for at least one night. The gold will be available for purchase in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu beginning March 1.

The report further stated that the gold will be sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry.

“To mark the double auspicious day (Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year), the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) will sell limited quantities of duty-free gold for SDF-paying tourists,” the media outlet stated.

“All SDF-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. The gold will be available for purchase from March 1, in Thimphu and Phuentsholing,” it added.

Notably, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India (as on February 27, 2023) costs ₹ 51,400. The same amount of gold costs Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) 40,286 in Bhutan.

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Tourists can now buy gold at duty-free shops in Bhutan

Tourists who pay the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF) in Bhutan can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu, according to NDTV.

According to Bhutan's national media outlet, Kuensel, the decision was made by the Department of Tourism (DoT) in collaboration with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) to commemorate Bhutan's King's birth anniversary and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year.

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The new scheme is expected to benefit Indians the most, as they are the largest group of tourists visiting Bhutan, the report said.

Quoting the media outlet, NDTV said all SDF-paying tourists will be able to purchase duty-free gold if they stay at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel for at least one night.

The gold will be available for purchase in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu beginning March 1.

Further, as per the report, the gold will be sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry, the report said. Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan's duty-free outlets "will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism".

সদরঘাটে নিহত ৫: লঞ্চে ওঠার আগেই লাশ হলো স্বামী-স্ত্রী-সন্তান

লঞ্চের মোটা রশি ছিঁড়ে এসে বেলাল ও মুক্তার মাথায় আঘাত করে। আর ছোট মাইশা ছিটকে পড়ে যায় পানিতে।

বিএনপি চেয়ারপারসন দেশবাসীকে ঈদের শুভেচ্ছা জানিয়েছেন: ফখরুল

Duty-free shops begin selling gold to tourists

Jigmi Wangdi

Tourists visiting Bhutan can purchase gold from the Bhutan Duty-Free shops in Phuentsholing and Thimphu. The shops started selling gold on March 1.

In Thimphu, tourists can purchase the gold from the duty-free shop at Chubachu and in Phuentsholing, the duty-free shop will be temporarily housed at the Bank of Bhutan office.

Director General of Department of Tourism, Dorji Dhradhul, said that along with the regular travel documents, the tourists will be required to show two specific documents before buying the gold.

“One document is the evidence of having paid the SDF, which will be a receipt issued by the Department of Customs and the second document should be a receipt that proves the tourist has spent a night in a tourist standard hotel in Bhutan,” Dorji Dhradhul said.

Dorji Dhradhul added that a tourist will be sold a maximum of 20 grams of gold.

The price of gold at the duty-free shops will be based on the global gold price.

The sale of the gold will only be for tourists paying the SDF, which could be Indian and international tourists. Dorji Dhradhul said that non-tourist foreigners and Bhutanese nationals will not be eligible to purchase the gold.

Tourists buying the gold will have to use USD currency for payment. Other forms of currency will not be accepted.

While many said it would benefit businesses in Phuentsholing, hoteliers shared concerns whether the introduction of selling gold can improve their situation.

A hotel manager in Phuentsholing, Namgay said that he was doubtful whether the sale of gold can increase the inflow of tourists.

“This is the first time Bhutan is selling gold, but I am not sure if it will benefit us, hoteliers, even with the requirement. We cannot be certain whether there would be more number of tourists to buy the gold,” Namgay said.

Kencho is another hotelier who shared similar concerns. She says that right now her hotel is getting minimal tourists and some domestic travellers who are going to India.

“Tourists might not come just for one night to buy gold. The SDF has made our situation quite bad and I cannot say for certain that the sale of gold can improve it,” Kencho said.

However, Dorji Dhradhul said the objective of selling gold is to diversify the products sold at duty-free shops.

“Currently, the Bhutan Duty-Free shop already sells alcohol, cosmetics, food and other products. We wanted to add gold so that the tourists can buy the gold as souvenirs to take back with them because the gold being sold here will have its own Bhutanese brand,” said Dorji Dhradhul.

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How Bhutan aims to balance economy and environment through tourism

Bhutan is already 72% carbon negative, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it produces. Image: Pexels/Soonam Wooeser

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Stay up to date:, travel and tourism.

Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan kingdom known for its pristine environment and sustainable development, will cap tourist numbers at 200,000 a year from 2023 to protect its natural resources and fight climate change.
The move is part of the country's efforts to become carbon neutral by 2025.
Bhutan is already 72% carbon negative, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it produces.
The government said the cap would be enforced through a quota system, with each tourist paying a daily fee of $250. The money will be used to fund conservation and development projects.

In the scenic Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, cleaning squads patrol forests and mountain trails on the lookout for litter left behind by tourists, removing empty water bottles and crisp packets stuck in bushes and trees.

The money to run these teams comes from a tourist tax Bhutan has levied for decades to avoid over-tourism and preserve its status as South Asia’s only carbon-negative country - meaning it absorbs more emissions than it produces annually.

Bhutan halved the daily “Sustainable Development Fee” (SDF) - to $100 - last week as it strives to strike a balance between supporting the local economy and jobs, and protecting nature and the environment in the face of worsening climate change impacts.

Under the country’s principle of “high-value, low-volume” tourism, Bhutanese officials told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that the tax goes towards upgrading infrastructure, preserving natural and cultural treasures, and investing in electric transport to cut fossil fuel dependency.

While the tiny country of fewer than 800,000 people is currently in the spotlight, it is far from alone in this regard.

A 2018 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found we have until 2030 – just 11 more years – to avert climate change.

The run-up to 2020 is a crucial period for delivering sufficient climate action to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as countries move to expand their climate commitments.

To help meet this global challenge, the World Economic Forum's 2019 Sustainable Development Impact summit has made Accelerating Climate Action one of four focus areas.

Following the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit this month, this meeting will bring together stakeholders to cap global warming at 1.5°C through innovative partnerships and smart technologies. The action areas include heavy industries and transport, energy innovation, nature-based climate solutions, restoring ocean health and the role cities, among others.

As nations globally seek to revitalise their tourism sectors after the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing debate about how best to attract more visitors and boost revenues without causing overcrowding and fuelling pollution and harm to the environment.

Sustainability experts said the traditional approach of evaluating tourism through visitor numbers alone was outdated and damaging to the sector, and urged governments to consider ways of welcoming people for longer and more-considered stays.

“(A) sustainability fee is one of the ways to ensure a destination does not degrade,” said C.B. Ramkumar, vice chairman of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, a U.S.-based non-profit. “It is a good tool for conservation.”

While many countries and cities have some form of tourist tax, few places have followed Bhutan’s lead in ensuring that the cash goes towards conservation or sustainability efforts.

New Zealand in 2019 introduced a NZ$35 ($21) tourist tax to fund conservation and infrastructure projects, while Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali is to impose a 150,000 rupiah ($10) fee from 2024 to help preserve its culture and environment.

Using the tourist tax to boost conservation efforts

Tourism is responsible for around 8-11% of global greenhouse gas emissions - mostly due to transportation - according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), an international forum.

It is also among the most vulnerable sectors to the impacts of climate change, with researchers citing soaring temperatures and rising sea levels that can affect visitor numbers.

For example, about 20,000 foreign tourists were evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes in July, where a wildfire burned resorts and hotels. Greece has said it will offer a week’s free stay on Rhodes in 2024 to visitors whose vacation was cut short.

Overall, demand for eco-friendly tourism is growing, yet very few people are willing to pay more for sustainable travel, according to recent studies and warnings from sector executives.

In Bhutan, the SDF has been revised over the years - with discounts available for visitors making longer trips.

When Bhutan reopened to tourists in September 2022 after more than two years of COVID-19 closure, it raised the tax to $200 from the $65 it had charged for about three decades - saying the money would offset the carbon generated by visitors.

This fee hike, coupled with the pandemic’s impact, hit tourist numbers and resulted in losses for tour operators, hotel owners, and handicraft and souvenir shops in the country.

Bhutan welcomed nearly 60,000 tourists between January and August this year, earning the nation $13.5 million in revenue from the SDF, according to government data.

In 2019, before the pandemic, there were about 316,000 tourists, generating $88.6 million in SDF revenue.

When Bhutan announced the SDF reduction this month, the government said the move aimed to revive the tourism sector, generate employment, and earn the country foreign exchange.

Bhutan plans to lift tourism’s contribution to its $3-billion economy to 20% from about 5% now - yet no time-frame has been set.

Dorji Dhradhul, the director general of Bhutan’s tourism department, said the tourist tax is vital to stepping up the nation’s conservation efforts as it faces climate change threats of melting glaciers and ever-more unpredictable weather.

The SDF has led the country to explore “solutions to balance its revered ecological conservation practices with socio-economic progress”, Dhradhul said by email.

The tax funds free healthcare and education for the country’s citizens and is used to offset the carbon footprint of visitors by planting trees, cleaning and maintaining trails, and electrifying Bhutan’s transportation sector, Dhradhul said.

“Our future requires us to protect our heritage and forge fresh pathways for forthcoming generations,” he said.

Bhutan’s “carbon negative” approach began in the 1970s, when its then-king pushed for an economy built in part on sustainable forest management - balancing conservation and development.

Its forests absorb more than 9 million tonnes of carbon each year, while its economy, which is designed to cut fossil fuel use and waste, emits less than 4 million tonnes, Dhradhul said.

Have you read?

3 ways hotels and tourists can work together to decarbonize travel, how global tourism can be more sustainable, how bhutan could provide the blueprint for climate-smart forest economies, what can bhutan teach the world about climate action, tour operators and local businesses fear for future.

Bhutan has long been a prime holiday destination for Indian travellers in particular. Entry for Indians had been free until 2022, when a daily tax of 1,200 rupees ($14.50) was introduced.

Mumbai-based tour operator Rakesh Kalyani has a longstanding collaboration with hoteliers in Bhutan, and said he was not surprised by the move to impose a tax on Indian tourists.

“Tourists littered, someone even climbed a stupa (Buddhist shrine) and took pictures. How do you stop that?” asked Kalyani, who said he now has no bookings for Bhutan with many clients instead preferring to visit nearby northeastern Indian states.

The fee for Indian tourists will remain in place for at least another two years as Bhutan prioritises the wellbeing of its environment, culture and people over “quantity in tourism”, according to Dhradhul.

As more and more places worldwide consider tourist taxes, they run the risk of excluding those seeking affordable travel.

“They want to preserve their culture, but not everyone is able to travel now,” said Arjun Verma, who runs Bhutan Divine Tour agency in Siliguri, a district in India’s eastern state of West Bengal, which serves as the country’s gateway to Bhutan.

“As tour operators, we are facing a lot of problems.”

In Bhutan, Jigme Tshering, chairman of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, a national federation, said that while the SDF was aligned with the country’s vision of sustainability, it also posed challenges in terms of “the impact on businesses”.

He said he hoped the reduced tax will help the tourism industry grow at a faster pace than in previous months - a view echoed by local businesses seeking more customers and income.

In Bhutan’s Paro, the picturesque valley home to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, handicraft shop owner Tashi Lhamo said she had cut down spending on family holidays and new clothes due to the loss in business over the past year as tourist numbers dropped.

“Most of our customers are Asians and few are from the United States,” Lhamo said in a phone interview.

“But I am hopeful for more international tourists to come now that they have reduced the SDF. Indians buy small items, but our main business comes from international tourists,” she added.

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License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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Thimphu, Bhutan
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Want To Buy Tax-Free Gold? How You Can Purchase Gold In Bhutan Without Paying Any Duty

Curated By : Mohammad Haris

Last Updated: March 10, 2023, 10:45 IST

New Delhi, India

Currently, 24-carat gold in India costs at Rs 55,630 per 10 grams.(Representative image)

Indians need to stay at least a night in Bhutan and pay a sustainable development fees of Rs 1,200-1,800 to be eligible to buy gold; check other details

For Indians, gold has traditionally been an instrument of saving. The country fulfills more than 90 per cent of its gold demand through imports, and in 2022, brought in about 706 tonnes gold from abroad. About $36.6 billion were spent on the overseas purchases of gold in 2022. In view of this, Bhutan has allowed Indians visiting Phuentsholing or Thimphu to buy tax-free gold.

The decision to allow tax-free gold was taken by the Bhutanese government on February 21 “to mark the double auspicious day (Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year)” and “to promote tourism”, according to state-run daily Kuensel.

In a bid to boost tourism Indian and other SDF fee paying tourists coming to Phuentsholing or Thimphu in Bhutan can now buy tax free gold.The only condition being you have to stay in a tourist certified hotel and pay SDF. The gold will be much more cheaper than in India. — Tenzing Lamsang (@TenzingLamsang) February 24, 2023

Currently, many Indians visit Dubai and buys gold as it is cheaper there due to lower taxes.

At What Rate Can Indians Buy Gold In Bhutan?

According to the latest prices, 24 carat gold in India costs at Rs 55,630 per 10 grams. However, the current gold rate in Bhutan in Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) stands at BTN 37,588.49. As one BTN roughly equals to Indian rupee, Indians can buy it at about INR 37,588.49.

What Is The Condition?

To avail the benefit of duty-free gold, Indians will have to pay a sustainable development fees (SDF) of Rs 1,200-1,800. You also have to stay at least a night at a tourist certified hotel by Bhutan’s government.

Tourists will also have to bring US dollars to buy the gold. This is because Bhutan will use the same dollar at zero profit to purchase the tax-free gold from international markets.

The SDF was made mandatory in Bhutan in 2022 after its National Assembly enacted a law to make it mandatory for tourists entering Bhutan to pay a tourism tax, known as SDF. Indians need to pay Rs 1,200-1,800 per day per person, visitors from other countries are required to pay between $65 to $200.

According to Kuensel, “All SDF-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. The gold will be available for purchase from March 1, in Thimphu and Phuentsholing.”

Where In Bhutan Can People Buy Tax-Free Gold?

The gold will be sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the finance ministry.

Apart from being tax free Bhutan’s Duty Free outlets will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism.

How Much Indians Are Allowed To Bring In Duty-Free Foreign Gold?

According to the rules of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, an Indian male can bring Rs 50,000 worth of gold (around 20gm) and an Indian woman can bring Rs 1 lakh worth of gold (around 40gm) tax-free into India from abroad.

Read all the Latest Business News here

Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited

Ph: +975-17903966

Ph: +975-17332825

TOURIST TARIFF

New SDF information

Sustainable Development Fee

All the international visitors visiting Bhutan will have to pay Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night

The sustainable development Fee for the Indian nationals is INR 1200 per person per night.

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), however, exempts day tourists (Indian) who do not travel past the first designated location (Border town, Phuntsholing).

Minors under the age of five is exempted and children between the ages of six and below twelve, pay a 50% sustainable development fund.

The government of Bhutan has always adopted a cautious approach taking the right balance between sustainability and enriching travel experiences at the heart “High Value, Low Volume” of the policy. The New SDF is set to make the country an exclusive travel destination and it’s driven by an enhanced and revitalized “High Value, Low Volume” policy which was adopted when Bhutan first welcomed tourists in 1974.

Our country always took pride in being the only carbon-negative country and putting environment conservation at the forefront of the policy. The transformative times bought on by the covid 19 and other factors have made our tiny kingdom take a pragmatic approach to ensure the upkeep of sustainability initiatives adopted by our forefathers.

It became inevitable to take these steps to avoid the looming negative impacts of mass tourism that could have on a tiny country like Bhutan.

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Bhutan announces new tourism incentives - click here to read more

23 January 2024

Applications for MICE waiver

Bhutan announces SDF waiver for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events

The Department of Tourism Bhutan is pleased to announce a new initiative to support the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Effective immediately, organisers of MICE events are now eligible to apply for a waiver of Bhutan’s daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), a move designed to bolster one of the most significant revenue streams of the tourism sector. This initiative aims to enhance the MICE market's impact, which extends through every layer of Bhutan's tourism industry, including local businesses and event venues.

In 2019, Bhutan welcomed 904 MICE travelers, predominantly from Japan, the UK, Germany, and India, who significantly contributed to the local economy and community.

MICE event organizers can apply for an SDF waiver under the following conditions:

1. Eligible MICE events require a minimum of seven participants, excluding organizers, speakers, or hosts.

2. Participants may receive a waiver for the SDF for up to four nights per event (excluding travel days).

3. The event must be organized by a DOT-certified Bhutanese tour operator or hotel.

4. The SDF waiver applies exclusively to the participants. Accompanying partners, children, and friends are not eligible.

5. Eligible events can be scheduled throughout the year without blackout dates.

6. Applications for the MICE SDF waiver must be submitted at this link at least one month prior to the event.

7. Applicants are responsible for obtaining any additional required clearances or approvals.

8. Only events categorized as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions qualify for the SDF waiver.

9. A comprehensive report, including the event's outcomes and photographs, must be provided to the Department of Tourism within one month after the guests' departure.

10. MICE participants can extend their stay in Bhutan as tourists by paying the applicable SDF.

1. The applicants must submit their request via an online form (link provided above), at least one month before the event.

2. The summary of the event, and a detailed day-wise program of the visit must be submitted at the time of application.

3. Once the application is reviewed and approved, DOT will inform the applicant and at that point they can apply for their visa/entry permit application form as applicable through www.visit.doi.gov.bt

4. The applicant should submit the list of participants including their designation, company details, and their passport copies for approval prior to the event. The passports must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan.

5. A summary of the event, including the outcomes and photographs must be submitted by the organizing agency to the Department of Tourism within one month of the departure date of the guests.

“The MICE market is one of the highest revenue contributors to the global tourism industry. Recognizing the significant economic advantages that MICE business can bring into Bhutan, we feel it is very important to provide incentives to attract more group business Bhutan. As such, we are pleased to waive the daily sustainable development fee for MICE events,” concluded Dorji Dhradhul, the Director General of the Department of Tourism.

About the SDF:

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) , serves as a daily contribution by tourists towards the nation's development. The SDF is utilized transparently and responsibly by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This fund aids various sectors such as healthcare, education, environment, culture, and economy, fostering long-term sustainable opportunities for Bhutanese citizens. As a carbon-neutral nation, Bhutan leverages the SDF to uphold its exceptional forest cover and carbon neutrality, ensuring a serene experience for visitors. Last September, Bhutan introduced a 50% reduction in the SDF rate, effective until August 31, 2027, with incentives for children. The new rates are USD 100 per adult per night; while children between the ages of 6 and who have not yet turned 12 pay a reduced rate of USD 50 per night. Children who have not yet turned six years old do not pay any SDF fee. The revised fee structure enhances Bhutan's appeal as an environmentally conscious and welcoming destination.

June - September 2023

29 September 2023

Interim tourist-guide ratio

Since the re-opening of tourism in the country from September 23rd 2022, the Department has validated a total of 1,765 tour guides. However, there is still a large number of tourist guides who have yet to apply for validation. It is also possible that some of the tour guides who have been validated are currently not active, leading to artificial shortage of tour guides.

To determine the actual number of active tour guides in the country and confirm their availability for providing guiding services, the Department will soon be conducting a survey in collaboration with the GAB.

Meanwhile, the Department is temporarily changing the guide:tourist ratio requirement to 1:22. This will allow a guide to manage a maximum of 22 tourists and this is applicable to all certified and validated tour guides. The tourists under the same guide should be either part of the same group or coming through the same service providers/ground handlers. This interim arrangement will come into effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

This interim arrangement is being pursued based on the feedbacks received from the Pedestrian Terminal, Phuntsholing and the Guide Association of Bhutan (GAB).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETAILS

25 August 2023

Press Release on Introduction of Incentives for the Tourism Sector

August 25, 2023

The Royal Government of Bhutan is pleased to announce additional incentives and policy measures to boost the tourism sector. This is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment; earning foreign exchange; realizing the potential for spillover benefits for ancillary industries; and in boosting overall economic growth.

The incentives and measures shall consist of the following:

1. A fifty percent discount shall be granted on the prevailing SDF of USD 200 for US Dollar paying tourists visiting Bhutan. The effective SDF with the discount shall be USD 100 per person per day for US Dollar paying tourists.

2. In addition, fifty percent discount on the SDF shall be granted on the rates applied to children aged between 6 to 12 years for US Dollar paying children visiting as tourists.

3. The 24 hours SDF waiver for tourists staying in the border towns shall continue.

The above incentives will come into effect from 1 September 2023 and shall remain effective for four years till 31 August 2027.

The Royal Government shall conduct periodic assessments of the domestic and international tourism scenarios and may discontinue the above incentives to uphold and promote High Value Low Volume Tourism Policy of Bhutan after 31 August 2027.

01 June 2023

Lifting the Restrictions for Tourists Visiting Monument Sites on Designated Auspicious Days

The National Monument Fund and Supervision Committee has confirmed that the restriction for tourists and visitors to visit designated monuments on designated auspicious days is hereby lifted with immediate effect.

Therefore, the designated monuments shall be opened to all regardless of the day until further notice.

FAM and Press Trips for international press and travel agents

FAM trips for international travel agents and press / KOLs who wish to visit Bhutan with an SDF waiver have now been confirmed, provided that they meet the requirements.

There are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlining the rules and requirements for FAM and Press trips which are available to view at the following links:

Press and influencer trips

To apply for a FAM or Press trip, please follow the instructions in the SOP. There is a form that needs to be filled out, which will be sent to DoT to be reviewed and verified for every trip.

Please do let us know if you have any questions. You can also email:

[email protected]

04 May 2023

Notification on Introduction of Star 1 and 2 Hotels to Cater to Tourists

The Lengye Zhungtshog vide letter no. C-3/141/2023/1612 dated April 24, 2023 has approved hotels with a rating below 3 stars to provide services to tourists, subject to fulfillment of minimum standards. The Department of Tourism would like to inform the public of the following:

1. The existing Tourist Accommodation and Standardization and Classification System, consisting of 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotel, will be extended to include 1 star and 2 star categories.

2. Non-star hotels that have been assessed and found qualified for Blue Poppy 1 will be I star and Blue Poppy 2 will be 2 star rating.

3. The Department will formally notify hotels of their assessment results of Phase I and Phase

Il from May 5, 2023.

4. Non-star hotels that have not been certified by the Department will be required to undergo assessment and meet the minimum standards, if they wish to provide services to tourists.

Assessment of these hotels will commence from June 5, 2023. The Department will disseminate the procedures and supporting documents required for assessment and certification. To ensure timely assessment, Dzongkhags will be authorized for assessment where possible.

5. In locations without any certified tourist hotels rated I star and above, existing hotels will be allowed to cater to tourists on a time bound provisional basis, upon fulfillment of criteria determined by the Department.

6. Homestays certified by the Department, as per the existing practice, are also authorized to serve tourists in addition to certified tourist hotels.

We kindly request your support and cooperation in complying with this notification. For further clarification, please contact Ms. Deki at 17627540 or Ms. Pema Deki at 17905404 during office hours.

Offtg Director General, Department of Tourism

25 April 2023

Tourist Guide Validation

The Department of Tourism has been conducting a series of validation of tour guides, hotels and tour operators to assess their readiness to cater services to tourists. The next round of validation for tourist guides who missed the previous validation will be held on 4th May 2023 in Thimphu. The exact venue and time will be communicated as soon as it is confirmed.

Therefore, tourist guides are required to submit an application to the Chief Tourism Officer, Standards and Compliance Division, either in hard copy or email at [email protected] latest by 28th April 2023 within 5.00 PM. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Those guides who have already submitted their applications need not resubmit.

It may be noted that tour guides who have not successfully completed the readiness test are not allowed to engage in guiding services. Those violating the rules will be dealt as per the Tourism Rules and Regulations 2022. For queries and clarification, please contact Ms. Karma Yangki at 16921198 during office hours.

14 April 2023

SOP for Management of Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) waiver for up to 24 hours

Standard Operating Procedure for Management of Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) waiver for upto 24 hours for tourists visiting the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and SamdrupJongkhar.

The Royal Government of Bhutan vide Public Notifications; S-20/2023/385 and S- 20/2023/387 dated March 30, 2023 has approved the waiver of Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for casual visitors including tourists of all nationalities for visits upto 24 hours in the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and SamdrupJongkhar as long as they do not travel beyond the designated zone of the border towns. The SDF waiver has been approved for a period of one year with effect from 14 April 2023.

In the context of the above decision, the Department of Immigration (DoI), Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Department of Tourism (DoT), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment adopts this SOP to provide the operation guideline for the management of SDF waiver for casual visitors including tourists of all nationalities for upto 24 hours visiting the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and SamdrupJongkhar.

This SOP shall remain valid till 13 April 2024.

SOP of Management of SDF wavier for unto 24 hours

01 April 2023

Requirement of pre-booking of riding horse services for Taktsang

Following new requirements introduced by the Paro Dzongkhag, all guests are now required to pre-book horse riding services for the Taktsang trail.

This follows the introduction of the Taktsang services Management Group, which is aimed at improving the quality of services and avoiding unnecessary problems arising due to lack of organized service providers. Guest safety will also be enhanced as there are new safety protocols and standards in place.

As part of this, all horse-riding service providers are required to now provide their service through the management team, instead of waiting at Ramthangka on a daily basis.

Any guests who require horse riding services are required to place advance booking through the following numbers:

1. Phub Dorji - Treasurer (Accounts) (77711481)

2. Khandu - Chairman, (17 657 286)

3. Khandu - Secretary, (17 535 622)

If bookings are not made in advance, guests will need to wait in turns, which will be determined by the on-site management team.

This requirement comes into effect from Sunday April 02, 2023.

15 March 2023

Tourism Product Development Guidelines

Tourism product development is a necessary step towards enhancement of overall tourism development in the country. Towards this end, erstwhile Tourism Council of Bhutan developed Bhutan Tourism Product Development Guidelines with objectives, among others, to assist planning and design, development and operations of tourism products. The guidelines were developed involving the relevant agencies with the funding support received from ICIMOD, Nepal through Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forest and Agriculture, MoAF.

Since then, the guidelines have greatly helped in strengthening synergies for tourism product development within the sectors of both government and non-governmental organizations. It has immensely contributed in the improvement of collaborations among stakeholders whilst also helping to channelize limited resources to bring huge impact in the overall tourism development in the country.

The guidelines provide useful information for the Proponents to navigate through the information and processes which otherwise can be overwhelming especially for the new entrants into the tourism industry. However the guidelines do not create a step-wise guide to starting and operating a tourism business.

Product Development Guideline

07 March 2023

Tourists buying gold from the duty-free Shops in Phuntsholing & Thimphu

All tourists can buy 20 grams of gold if they fulfil the following requirements:, 1. pay sustainable development fee (sdf).

2. Produce receipt for spending a minimum of one night in a Department of Tourism certified hotel.

3. Pay in USD

4. Produce visa/permit copy. Or SDF payment receipt issued by the Department of Revenue and Customs

5. Submit a photocopy of the passport and voter identity card also accepted for Indians.

Duty-Free Shops: Location & Contact Numbers

Phuntsholing

Address: Bank of Bhutan (Main Branch)

Contact: 17455553

Opening Hours: 10 AM – 3 PM (Monday – Friday) & closed on weekend

2. Thimphu

Address: Norzin Lam, Chubachu

Contact: 17856807

Opening Hours: 10 AM – 3 PM (Wednesday – Monday) & closed on Tuesday only.

Gold Price:

Please find the link below to check gold prices sold by the Bhutan Duty-Free Limited (BDFL) shops. And please take note of the ‘IMPORTANT’ advisory.

Click here to see the gold price

06 March 2023

Facilitating movement of tourists at interior checkpoints

A negative list approach has been adopted for tourists, whereby, the requirement of Route Permit for tourists has been lifted.

Under the negative list approach, a tourist with a Bhutanese guide can travel to any part of the country except areas classified as prohibited or restricted (lists attached below) without having to produce a route permit or stop at internal checkpoints.

In this regard, after a tourist has been facilitated entry via designated land ports at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse and Paro International Airport, movement of all tourists at all interior checkpoints such as Rinchending ICP will be facilitated without any let or hindrance as long as they are accompanied by a DOT certified guide. There is no need to record their entry/exit in the Immigration Information Monitoring System at interior checkpoints. See Prohibited Areas list See Restricted Areas list Note: However, tourists will be allowed to visit restricted areas identified as trekking routes by the Department of Tourism if accompanied by DOT certified trekking guide.

28 September 2023

Quotation for flight ticket

The Department of Tourism would like to invite sealed bid from eligible ticketing firms for the following sectors (See the attachment).

The last date for submission of sealed quotation for the above tickets is on or before 1PM on 29th September 2023

The tender will be opened at 2:30PM on the same day in the DOT conference hall B. Only HARD COPY is accepted, via email will be rejected. Quoted amount should be in Ngultrum.

25 September 2023

The Department of Tourism would like to invite sealed bid from eligible ticketing firms for the following sectors.

The last date for submission of sealed quotation for the above tickets is on or before 1PM on 27th September 2023. The tender will be opened at 2:30PM on the same day in the DOT conference Hall B. Only HARD COPY is accepted, via email will be rejected. Quoted amount should be in Ngultrum.

19 September 2023

Selection Interview Result for the Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer for GEF Ecotourism Project

The Department of Tourism under Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment is pleased to announce the selection interview (visa voce) result for the post of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for GEF Ecotourism Project.

The appointment of the selected candidate shall be w.e.f 1st October 2023 and the selected candidate must report to the Project Management Unit, DOT with the following documents for the appointment on 1st October 203 at 9:30 AM. Failing to report on the stipulated date, the candidature will be cancelled thereof and post may be given to the next candidate or re selection may be conducted, depending on the decision of PSC.

1. Two legal stamps;

2. Two passport size photos; and

3. A copy of CID;

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RESULT

Project Management Unit

GEF Ecotourism Project

17 August 2023

Vacancy Announcement

The Project Management Unit (PMU) under the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment is pleased to announce the vacancy for the following post under GEF Ecotourism Project. Position Title: Project Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E Officer)

For detail, click the link below:

Click here to view announcement

Click here to view TOR

03 August 2023

The last date for submission of sealed quotation for the above tickets is on or before 2PM on 4th August 2023.

The tender will be opened at 2:30PM on the same day in the DOT conference hall B. Only HARD COPY is accepted, via email will be rejected. Quoted amount should be in Ngultrum. Please refer TOR before you submit your quotation.

Click here to see attachment

11 July 2023

Tender Announcement

The Department of Tourism is looking for local photographer/videographer to come up with Haa Summer Festival 2023 photos and videos from 14th – 16th July, 2023. The interested bidders with valid license holders may participate in this tender and submit your tender documents on or before 13th July, 2023, 1pm. Kindly submit your tender in hardcopy mentioning your full package cost/rate to the Admin Officer, Department of Tourism during office hours.

02 July 2023

Quotation for flight tickets

The Department of Tourism would like to invite sealed bids from eligible ticketing firms for the following sectors (see attached file).

The last date for submission of sealed quotation for the above tickets is on or before 2PM on 3rd July 2023.

The tender will be opened at 2:30PM on the same day in the DOT conference hall B. Only HARD COPY is accepted, submissions via email will be rejected. Quoted amount should be in Ngultrum. Please refer TOR before you submit your quotation.

01 May 2023

Selection result for Tourism Operator Assistant.

The Department of Tourism is pleased to announce the selection result for the post of Tourism Operator Assistant held on 28th April 2023.

The Selected candidates are requested to report to the chief of Innovation and Strategy Division on 3rd May 2023 at 9:00 am. Candidates list

27 April 2023

WE ARE HIRING (Livelihoods and Business Development Expert)

GEF Ecotourism Project under the Department of Tourism is hiring Livelihoods and Business Development Expert. Interested eligible candidates may apply through eGP on or before May 26, 2023, using the following link.

Click here to apply

For further details please contact Mr Jigme Dorji at [email protected]

24 April 2023

The last date for submission of sealed quotation for the above tickets is on or before 2 PM on 25th April 2023.

The tender will be opened at 2:30 PM on the same day in the DOT conference hall B. Only HARD COPY accepted, via email will be rejected. The quoted amount should be in Ngultrum. Please refer to TOR before you submit your quotation.

Flight quotation

27 March 2023

Tender for flight ticket

The last date for submission of sealed quotation for the above tickets is on or before 2 PM on 28th March 2023.

The tender will be opened at 2:30 PM on the same day in the DOT conference hall B

Rhododendron Festival 2023

We have been informed that the annual Rhododendron Festival will happen from April 22 - 24, 2023 at the Royal Botanical Park in Lamperi as compared to the 17 – 19 April as announced initially. The change in date is due to the upcoming election for the National Council (NC) elections that is scheduled for the 20th of April. As per the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB), any large gatherings involving the public are to be avoided up until and during election periods.

Therefore, we would like to request to take note of the change in date and accordingly make travel plans for those interested in joining the Rhododendron Festival 2023.

Department of Tourism

Re-announcement for the post of Safeguard Expert

GEF-UNDP Ecotourism Project “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into the Tourism Sector in Bhutan” under the Department of Tourism, MoICE, is pleased to invite applications from interested BHUTANESE candidates for the post of Safeguard Expert.

For details and ToR, please visit https://www.egp.gov.bt

GED Hiring (Safe guard)

February 2023

Invitation for the post of Safeguard Expert & Gender Expert

We are hiring.

The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment is hiring Safeguard Expert and Gender Expert to work for the GEF-UNDP funded Ecotourism Project.

Contact Mr. Tashi Tenzin, Project Manager at [email protected] for any clarification.

Application deadline: 15th February 2023, 5pm.

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To woo Indian tourists, Bhutan to sell gold at duty-free rates

NEW DELHI: Tourists visiting Bhutan who pay a ‘sustainable development fee’ can buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu. The decision by the Himalayan nation is expected to benefit Indians the most, who are among the largest cohort of tourists visiting Bhutan.

According to the latest prices, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India (as on February 25, 2023) costs Rs 57, 490. However, the same amount of gold costs Bhutanese Ngultrum BTN 40, 286 in Bhutan. Given that one Indian rupee roughly equals one BTN, Indians pay around Rs 40,286 for 10 grams of 24-carat gold in Bhutan.

However, to avail the benefit, Indian tourists have to pay Rs 1,200 per day as the sustainable development fee, and tourists have to stay at least one night at a hotel certified by Bhutan’s department of tourism.

In 2022, the National Assembly of Bhutan enacted a law, making it mandatory for tourists entering Bhutan to pay a tourism tax, known as the sustainable development fee (SDF). While Indians are required to pay Rs 1,200 per day per person, tourists from other countries pay anywhere between $65 to $200. Earlier, travellers from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh had been allowed free entry without any tourism charge. The SDF has been in force since September 2022, when Bhutan reopened its borders to tourists after 30 months of closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As per the existing rules of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, an Indian male can bring Rs 50,000 worth of gold (around 20gm) and an Indian woman can bring Rs 1 lakh worth of gold (around 40gm) tax-free into India from abroad.

The decision by the Bhutanese government was taken on February 21 in order “to mark the double auspicious day (Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year)”, according to state-run daily Kuensel.

The gold will be sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry. Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan’s duty-free outlets “will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism”, the newspaper report added.

Courtesy: The Wire

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India Taken Aback by Bhutan’s Surprises: Introducing a New Gold Scheme and Examining the Impact of Tourism in Bhutan.

The video titled “Bhutan Surprises India L New Gold Scheme Launched L Tourism Impact In Bhutan” discusses three main topics related to Bhutan. The first topic is about Bhutan’s recent surprising move towards India, where it has refused to acknowledge China’s claim on the South China Sea. This move is seen as a major departure from Bhutan’s neutrality and could have significant geopolitical implications in the region.

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IMAGES

10 Reasons to Visit Bhutan
9 Photos of Bhutan's Attractions that Show Their Beauty
9 Photos of Bhutan's Attractions that Show Their Beauty
'White Gold': Discovering Bhutan’s natural energy treasure
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VIDEO

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ഭൂട്ടാനിലെ സ്വർണ്ണത്തിന് വിലകുറവോ?
സ്വര്‍ണ്ണമലയായി ഭൂട്ടാന്‍, ഇനി കൈനിറയെ സ്വര്‍ണ്ണം വാരാം

COMMENTS

Tourists buying gold from the duty-free Shops in Bhutan
All tourists can buy 20 grams of gold if they fulfill the following requirements: 1. Pay Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) 2. Produce a receipt for spending a minimum of one night in a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. 3. Pay in USD. 4. Produce visa/permit copy.
Bhutan Introduces Tax-Free Gold For Tourists
In conclusion, here are all the conditions travelers need to fulfill to buy duty-free gold offered by Bhutan: - Travellers need to pay a sustainable development fee of 1200 per person which is already mandatory for visitors. - Travellers must stay for at least one night in a 3-star or above hotel certified by the Tourism Department of Bhutan.
Buy Tax-Free Gold: How You Can Purchase Bullion From From Bhutan
This is because Bhutan will use the same dollar at zero profit to purchase tax-free gold from international markets. The SDF was made mandatory in Bhutan in 2022 after its National Assembly enacted a law to make it mandatory for tourists entering Bhutan to pay a tourism tax, known as SDF. Indians need to pay Rs 1,200-1,800 per day per person ...
Bhutan Offers Duty-Free Gold to Offset Tourism Fee Impact
Setting a new "gold standard" for travel, Bhutan is now offering duty-free gold to visitors, who may have been discouraged to visit the destination due to the high sustainable tourism fee ...
Bhutan To Sell Gold At Duty-Free Shops In A Bid To Boost Tourism: Report
Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan's duty-free outlets "will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism". Notably, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India (as on February 27, 2023) costs ...
Extra reasons for tourists to travel Bhutan; Duty-free gold
The department of tourism will continue efforts to facilitate more positive global coverage in Bhutan and generate more tourist arrivals," Director General further added. When tourists purchase 20 grams of gold, they must pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), show a receipt attesting their stay of at least a night in a Department of ...
Bhutan to sell duty-free gold for SDF-paying tourists
According to Bhutan's national media outlet, Kuensel, any SDF-paying tourist will be able to acquire duty-free gold if they stay at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel for at least one night. The gold will be available for purchase in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu beginning March 1. The report further stated that the ...
Tourists can now buy gold at duty-free shops in Bhutan
Tourists who pay the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF) in Bhutan can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu, according to NDTV. According to Bhutan's national media outlet, Kuensel ...
Bhutan's Duty-Free Gold Offer: A Creative Solution to Offset Tourism Fees
Phuntsholing duty-free shop is located at the Bank of Bhutan (Main Branch) and can be contacted at 17455553. The opening hours are from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday, and the shop remains closed ...
The Wire: The Wire News India, Latest News,News from India, Politics
Readers like you make The Wire possible. Your contributions can help us provide in-depth reporting on social, political, and economic issues that affect our daily lives.
Duty-free shops begin selling gold to tourists
The shops started selling gold on March 1. In Thimphu, tourists can purchase the gold from the duty-free shop at Chubachu and in Phuentsholing, the duty-free shop will be temporarily housed at the Bank of Bhutan office. Director General of Department of Tourism, Dorji Dhradhul, said that along with the regular travel documents, the tourists ...
Welcome to Bhutan Travel
Welcome to Bhutan. In a world that is always on the go, Bhutan provides sanctuary. Here, you can find earthly pleasures: archery and age-old crafts, dishes of home-made cheese and fearsomely hot chillies, breathtaking treks and restorative hot-stone baths. But there's another Bhutan, too - the one hinted at by the prayer flags strung across ...
How is Bhutan trying to become a sustainable tourist destination
Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan kingdom known for its pristine environment and sustainable development, will cap tourist numbers at 200,000 a year from 2023 to protect its natural resources and fight climate change. The move is part of the country's efforts to become carbon neutral by 2025. Bhutan is already 72% carbon negative, meaning it absorbs ...
"Bhutan Aims To Promote Tourism By Offering Gold At Duty-Free Shops
Bhutan, located in southern Asia, has begun selling gold in its duty free shops to raise money for tourism in the country. The sale of gold is being used to celebrate the occasion of the King's birthday and the country's new year. The gold will be sold in limited quantities in order to keep its value high and although tourists can purchase ...
Gold Price
Bhutan Gold Rates; Gold Price. Home; Gold Price; Howdy, Choki Dorji. Socialise with us on. Business Hours. Thimphu Shop Sunday-Closed Monday-Saturday: 9:00AM -5:00PM #02 324288. Phuentsholing Shop Sunday -Closed Monday- Saturday: 9:00AM-5:00PM #05 251729. ... Duty-Free Gold Outlet - Samdrup Jongkhar.
Bhutan Surprises India l New Gold scheme launched l Tourism ...
Tourists visiting Bhutan, who pay the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF), can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu. Kuensel, the decision was...
Costly Bhutan tour's silver lining: Cheap gold
If we were getting 10 enquiries in a month for Bhutan earlier, it is none now," said a travel agent based in Siliguri. Ten grams of 24-carat gold cost around Rs 40,000 in Bhutan on Friday, while the rate was Rs 55,000 in Alipurduar. According to the existing rules of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, an Indian man can bring 20 ...
Want To Buy Tax-Free Gold? How You Can Purchase Gold In Bhutan ...
To avail the benefit of duty-free gold, Indians will have to pay a sustainable development fees (SDF) of Rs 1,200-1,800. You also have to stay at least a night at a tourist certified hotel by Bhutan's government. Tourists will also have to bring US dollars to buy the gold.
Bhutan Tourist Tariff
Bhutan Tourist Tariff New SDF informationAfter two years of tourism at a standstill due to the pandemic, our country finally opened its gate on 23rd September 2022. With the onset of the new tourism wave worldwide, our country is set on a different path.On 27th June 2022, the National Assembly
Announcements
August 25, 2023. The Royal Government of Bhutan is pleased to announce additional incentives and policy measures to boost the tourism sector. This is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment; earning foreign exchange; realizing the potential for spillover benefits for ancillary industries; and in boosting overall economic growth.
To woo Indian tourists, Bhutan to sell gold at duty-free rates
The decision by the Himalayan nation is expected to benefit Indians the most, who are among the largest cohort of tourists visiting Bhutan. According to the latest prices, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India (as on February 25, 2023) costs Rs 57, 490. However, the same amount of gold costs Bhutanese Ngultrum BTN 40, 286 in Bhutan.
World's Cheapest Gold
World's Cheapest Gold 🪙 | Bhutan Duty Free Gold Scheme | Gold Buying GuideIn this video I'll be discussing about new gold policy in Bhutan, and how much che...
India Taken Aback By Bhutan's Surprises: Introducing A New Gold Scheme
The video titled "Bhutan Surprises India L New Gold Scheme Launched L Tourism Impact In Bhutan" discusses three main topics related to Bhutan. The first topic is about Bhutan's recent surprising move towards India, where it has refused to acknowledge China's claim on the South China Sea.

Tourists buying gold from the duty-free Shops in Bhutan - Bhutan Forum

Tourists buying gold from the duty-free Shops in Bhutan

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Want To Buy Tax-Free Gold? How You Can Purchase Gold In Bhutan Without Paying Any Duty

Indians need to stay at least a night in Bhutan and pay a sustainable development fees of Rs 1,200-1,800 to be eligible to buy gold; check other details

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