Himalayan News Service

Phuentsholing, May 5:

Tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has become a new tourism destination for Westerners, for being the most peaceful country in this continent.

According to a report, Bhutan received a record number 9,259 tourists in 2004.

That fetched this cash strapped nation about $12.45 million.

Of this $4.34 million went to the government exchequer as royalty, the report quoted Bhutan Tourism Department director general, Ihatu Wangdhuk as saying.

The surge in inflow of tourism traffic was attributed to some degrees to the Maoist violence in Nepal.

The percentage of increase visitors was almost double from 5,599 in 2002 and this year it was estimated to surge further. The tour operators said the number might show a negligible increase compared to neighbouring Nepal and India, as both have Himalayan ranges, but the increase in number of the visitors to Bhutan would make much difference to the cash-strapped nation in the days to come.

Bhutan, also known as mythical land of the dragon, continues to play a lead role in attracting tourists due to its unique ethnic culture and natural beauty, according to the international tourism monitor, 2004, report released by the tourism department recently.

There are some 54 hotels with 1,300 beds, including two international standard hotels. The inclusion of two airbus by the Druk Air in its fleet, had added a new dimension to the tourism sector.

Among the places most visited, Bunakha rated highest with about 47 per cent, followed by Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

Bhutan recently came into the limelight after the government imposed a total ban

on smoking and chewing tobacco in public places, which also attracted westerners, said Khandu.

To attract more visitors, the government in association with tour operators, was planning to offer diverse products like culture tourism in religious places, adventure travel like biking, white water rafting in the mountain streams, safari in the reserve forests.

Wangdhuk said the tourism department was working out a master plan, which will contain requirements such as standards that operators and hotels would have to comply with. ‘’We are also working out on the tourism legislation and the current pricing policy,’’ Wangchuk said.

Compared to India and Nepal, travellers in Bhutan have to pay higher prices because the infrastructural facilities were yet to come up.