Bhutan, often revered as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ and a global leader in sustainable tourism, finds itself at a critical crossroads. While its unique ‘High-Value, Low-Impact’ policy has long set it apart, a recent comprehensive diagnostic assessment paints a sobering picture of its tourism sector.
The Economic and Finance Committee (EFC) of the National Assembly (NA) has conducted an in-depth review, and its findings are a stark wake-up call. The assessment reveals pervasive and deep-seated policy, governance, and operational weaknesses that are significantly hampering the industry’s recovery, undermining its competitiveness, and jeopardizing its long-term sustainability. This is particularly concerning given tourism’s undeniably central role in Bhutan’s national economy.
Despite the kingdom’s efforts to rebuild after global challenges, the current tourism framework, which has largely underpinned its operations, is being flagged as insufficient. These identified flaws aren’t merely minor adjustments needed; they point to fundamental issues that require urgent and strategic intervention if Bhutan is to protect and propel its invaluable tourism asset into a secure and thriving future.
This report serves as a crucial moment for introspection and reform, highlighting that even the most esteemed models require constant vigilance and adaptation in a rapidly changing world.
Source: Original Article
