Trekking’s picking up steam

Trekking’s picking up steam t

A group of trekking tourists on the Laya-Gasa trek last month

… with travellers from closer to home, the so-called regional tourists

Tourism: A growing number of regional tourists are venturing into trekking activities, with many high-end regional tourists wanting to visit Bhutan for trekking only, say tour operators.

Visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives are referred to as regional tourists.  They are exempt from the minimum daily tariff and do not require visas.  Regional tourists, who come in by air, are considered high-end, owing to their contribution to tourism through airline earnings.

A local tour operator, Fly to Bhutan, catered to about three Indian trekking groups, comprising 16 people, so far, this year. “We also had the first group for the Laya-Gasa trek,” said the sales and operations manager, Dorje. “Indians are more interested in short duration treks, which range from four to five days.”

There are no separate records maintained for regional trekking or cultural tourists.  Tour operators, catering to Indian tourists, said there could be about 100 trekking tourists from India this year.

Trekking tourists are charged about Nu 10,000 per night, per head, which is inclusive of food and lodge. “We provide the same services, just as we cater to international trekking tourists,” he said. “We target high-end tourists, as they can afford to pay.”

“It also helps to have good counterpart agents in India,” added Dorje

Tourism council of Bhutan’s (TCB) Damcho Rinzin said regional tourists comprise family visitors, who mostly engage in cultural tourism activities. There is an increasing young, active and outdoor experience-seekers interested to visit Bhutan. “So it’s important that we promote our nature related adventure tourism products to these kinds of adventure seekers,” he said.

Despite getting queries on trekking based activities from a lot of high-end regional tourists, tour operators said logistics was an issue, as regional tourists didn’t route through a tour operator.

Last year, almost two-thirds of the total regional tourists came on their own, while the rest were part of packaged tours through tour operators, according to TCB.  Tour operators in India also offer packaged tours, partnering with local hotels in Bhutan.

Keys to Bhutan, destination management company for Make My Trip, India, has been targeting the Indian market for more than eight years, promoting both trekking and outdoor activities. “Somehow we’ve failed as it didn’t pick up as expected,” said general manager, Raju Rai.

Raju Rai said it was challenging to promote treks, which required trekking permits from various agencies. “Due to such formalities, we gave up after a few groups,” he said. “But now I’m sure there’s a proper channel to obtain permits for regional tourists, which could have eased things.”

TCB’s Damcho Rinzin said managing regional tourists has been a challenge because of their flexibility in arranging their trips, on their own. “However, we encourage and highlight the benefits of using the services of professional Bhutanese tour operators,” he said. “We’re also looking at improving and initiating systems to make it easier for regional tourists to route their travel through a local tour operator.”

Last year, 105, 407 tourists visited the country, of which 50,722 were regional visitors from the neighbouring countries of India and Bangladesh.

As is the trend, last year, a majority of the regional tourists comprised visitors from India, said tourism officials.  About 86 percent of the visitors were from India, followed by about 12 percent from Bangladesh, and the rest from Maldives.

TCB official said there are huge numbers of regional tourists, who travel to other countries from the neighbouring countries. “If we can tap the high-end segment, then it’ll highly benefit our tourism industry,” said Damcho Rinzin. “Regional tourists, especially from India, travel in summer months, when it’s low tourist season in Bhutan.”

As of October this year, 95,931 visited the country, of which 43,398 were international tourists and 52,533 were regional tourists.

Source: Kuensel

By Kinga Dema

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Tourist numbers register increases

Tourist numbers register increases 

Tourism: About 20,160 regional and international or dollar paying tourists visited the country last month.

This was an increase of 27.98 percent from those who visited the country in October last year.  Tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) recorded 15,752 regional and international tourists last year.

The month is also considered as the time of the year when tour operators, hoteliers, guides, and handicraft shops make more money.  Drukair also deploys additional flights to accommodate the increase in passengers.

The total tourist arrivals until last month was 95,931, records maintained by TCB stated. “About 43,398 were international and 52,533 regional tourists,” an official from TCB said.

This was also an increase of 7.6 percent from same period last year. “Until October last year, 89,139 tourists visited the country,” the official said.

Regional tourists are those from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives.  They do not pay the minimum daily tariff of USD 250 and USD 200 during the peak and lean seasons, and do not require visas.  Most of the regional tourists are from India.

“Looking at the trend so far, we’re positive that we’ll be able to meet our 2013 target,” said a tourism council official.  By the end of the 11th five-year plan, TCB intends to meet the goal of 200,000 tourist, officials said.

The president of association of Bhutanese tour operators, Karma Lotey, said the tourism industry should promote more high-end tourists than sheer numbers. “This will help in the preservation of our culture and tradition and promotion of GNH values,” he said. “As a small nation, we need to tread carefully for the sake of the sustainability of tourism business in the future.”

Source: Kuensel

By Kinga Dema

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Boom in Chinese tourist numbers

They now make up the third major market for the industry

Tourism: From 19 in 2003, Chinese tourists visiting Bhutan is emerging as the third major market for the tourism industry after Japan and the United States since 2011.

The tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) recorded the highest number of Chinese tourists last year at 3,766, an increase of more than 30 percent from the previous year.

Japanese were the number one international visitor at 6,967 last year, a 77 percent increase from the previous year, followed by 6,007 from USA.

Last year, tourist arrivals stood at 105,407; of which 54,685 were dollar-paying tourists, and 50,722 were regional visitors from the neighboring countries of India and Bangladesh.

The wedding of the Hong Kong actor couple in Bhutan in 2007, according to tour operators, helped promote Bhutan as a tourist destination.  In 2010, about 21 Bhutanese travel companies visited China for marketing and promotion.

 “Bhutanese culture isn't the main attraction for Chinese tourists,” said a tour operator. “It’s to do with the happiness factor. Most Chinese tourists say they come to experience happiness in Bhutan.”

Chinese tourists usually visit the country in October and during their New Year, which coincides with the Bhutanese Losar.  Students visit during their summer breaks in July and August.

Officials of the national airline, Drukair, in an earlier interview, said it was mostly Chinese tourists, who usually flew in from Kathmandu in February, and this year there were also requests for chartered flights.

According to UN world tourism organisation (UNWTO), Chinese travellers spent USD 102B on international travel in 2012, about 40 percent more than what they spent in 2011. “More than 80M Chinese travelled internationally in 2011, outspending German tourists, the longtime leader in overseas travel spending for the first time,” the UNWTO report released in April this year states.

In Bhutan too, China made it to the top five major markets for the first time in 2010, with an increase of about 30 percent in arrivals from 2009. (see graph)

According to the 2012 Bhutan tourism monitor, Chinese tourists visited Bhutan for a short holiday period. “Their time of visitation is spread throughout the year, with a slight majority skewed towards September to November months,” the monitor states.

Chinese tourists, who visited the country, were highly educated, with the majority holding university degrees, according to TCB.  About 64 percent of the total visitors were in Bhutan for the first time, while about 27 percent of them came for the third time.

About 34 percent of Chinese tourists came to visit only Bhutan, while the rest combined their trips with neighboring countries, like Nepal and Thailand.

Just as Chinese travel in other parts of the globe in large groups, a majority of Chinese tourists also came to Bhutan in groups. “About 49 percent of the visitors came in as ‘group of friends’, followed by about 21 percent as couples, and about 20 percent as part of organised tour groups,” according to the tourism monitor.

A leading tour company in China has estimated that about 90 percent of the Chinese visitors travel in larger groups, moving from destination to destination while staying at budget hotels.

Visitors from USA stayed for eight days last year, according to TCB records, while Chinese and Japanese tourists spent an average of 4.96 and 4.88 days respectively. “Asian tourists staying for shorter duration is a stable trend and does not seem to change with the years,” states the monitor.

Last year, a majority of the Chinese visitors flew in by air through Kathmandu, while the rest came through Thailand.

Despite the drop in international tourists arrival this year, tour operators said they were expecting more Chinese tourists.

Source: Kuensel

By  Kinga Dema

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Thimphu and Paro make it to the top 10 friendliest cities in the world

The Top 10 Friendliest Cities in the World

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine have named a seaside, partygoers' destination on an island in the south of Brazil the friendliest in the world.

Thimphu Seen from Kuenselphodrang

Florianopolis beat out other cities like Thimphu, Bhutan; Charleston, South Carolina; and Kilkenny, Ireland to become the highest rated destination when it comes to welcoming visitors with open arms.

A common thread among the top 10 friendliest cities is that most are small to mid-sized destinations from less affluent, modest countries such as Bhutan, Burma, Ireland and Indonesia.

Predictably, nowhere is there a New York, London or Tokyo in sight.

And interestingly, while the top 10 friendliest list includes a lone US representative (Charleston, South Carolina), half of the cities listed as the top unfriendliest destinations are American.

Paro Dzong

Here are the top 10 friendliest cities in the world, according to readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

Friendliest

1. Florianopolis, Brazil
2. Thimphu, Bhutan
3. Queenstown, New Zealand
4. Charleston, South Carolina
5. Paro, Bhutan
6. Margaret River, Australia
7. Mandalay, Burma
8. Kilkenny, Ireland
9. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
10. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Source: Yahoo News Singapore

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Royal Textile Academy inaugurated

Source: Kuensel

With a dzong like structure, the Royal Textile Academy (RTA) that stands tall at the far end of the capital in Chubachu is now open to visitors.

Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck
 with Dr Fredrick Paulsen at the textile museum

Surrounded by the buzzing city life at one end to lush green paddy fields on the other, the RTA, which was inaugurated yesterday, stands three storied tall, symbolic of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

The flight of stairs ends at the glass door of the textile museum that has a collection of kiras on sale. It’s the museum’s first floor that houses rare textiles that date back to the 17th century. Protected within thick glass cases are the ‘never seen before’ royal collections on display.

Some of the royal collections comprise the Raven Crown, the royal wedding crowns; royal wedding dresses, including the intricately designed wedding shoes of Her Majesty the Gyeltsuen.

The next room, located a few stairs up, displays artifacts from the late 19th century, such as a hat (zham), queen’s or princesses’ hat (pesha-zham), throne cover (thrikheb) and seat cover (denkheb).

Other textiles such as a woman’s shoulder cloth (namza rachu), brooch (koma), and different designs of kira, tego, wonju and gho from different communities in the country are also on display.

Across the textile museum is the weaving centre, where a few weavers are at work, plucking in different intricate designs on their looms.

The royal patron and founder, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, inaugurated the textile museum and the weaving centre.

Her Majesty the Queen Mother said the royal textile academy was founded with a mission to educate, promote and preserve Bhutanese textiles.

“The academy will also create international awareness and encourage international collaboration to promote mutually beneficial exhibits and education programs,” the Queen Mother said.

Dr Fredrick Paulsen of Ferring Group, who is fascinated by the country’s history of art, textiles and carpet weaving, funded the academy’s construction.

“After assembling priceless collections of historical Bhutanese carpets from around the world, he returned them to Bhutan with the mission of retaining the special culture,” the Queen Mother said.

RTA’s executive director, Rinzin O Dorji, said, besides preserving and promoting Bhutanese textile, the weaving centre would train new students, who are interested in the art of weaving, yarn dyeing and other contemporary skills related to fashion design and merchandising.

“The project of the construction of RTA is divided into four phases, where phase one included the construction of the textile museum, plaza, entrances and the courtyard,” she said. “Phase two consists of the construction of the textile school and the conservation centre.”

To date, the project’s phase two has been completed with a budget of USD 2.9M that was donated from the government of India and other donors.

With Dr Fredrick Paulsen’s donation of USD 3M, the project’s phase three of constructing the administrative blocks will start. Phase four would be the construction of a banquet hall that would seat over a thousand people.

The academy is built on 4.75 acres of leased government land. The museum is open for visitors from 9AM to 4PM every day except Sundays. A national will have to pay an entry fee of Nu 10, while for SAARC country nationals, it’s Nu 25, and Nu 150 for others, including tourists.

The RTA was founded in 2005 as a non-profit, non-governmental civil society organisation.

Today, there will be a fashion show on Bhutanese textile at the RTA from 7PM.

By Thinley Zangmo

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New trends in tourist arrivals

Going native: Tourists at the Thimphu tshechu  Inter alia, in terms of places of origin and ports of entry, as per a new report Almost 80 percent of the tourists, who flew into the country last year, had travelled to Bhutan solely for holidays, while the rest were on official or business tours, the recently launched Bhutan tourism monitor states.

 Tourism arrivals last year were recorded at 105,407, an increase of 64.62 percent from the previous year. Of the total 54,685 were international or dollar paying tourists and 50,722 were regional visitors from the neigbouring countries of India and Bangladesh. “Of the total arrival last year, 77,700 visitors were tourists, who solely visited Bhutan for the purpose of holidaying,” the tourism monitor states. Among the arrivals, Japanese tourists surpassed arrivals from the United States, which, until last year, continued to dominate international tourist arrivals. Last year, Japanese tourist arrivals constituted 15.98 percent of the total arrivals, followed by USA with 13.67 percent and China with 8.57 percent. “Arrivals from Zambia, Seychelles and Malta were recorded for the first time, suggesting a growing interest for Bhutan in the global community,” the tourism monitor states. The major entry and exit ports used by tourists last year were Bangkok, Thailand and Kathmandu, Nepal with 41.49 percent and 25.90 percent of the total arrivals. This, according to the tourism monitor, is a notable change as Delhi, India used to be the most preferred port than Kathmandu in the last few years. “International visitors entering Bhutan seldom use the Bodh-Gaya sector,” states the report. The monitor also states that the Singapore sector, which was opened in the third quarter of 2012, also saw significant arrival figures, suggesting a viable entry point for visitors. Like the past years, Bhutan continues to be a cultural destination, with about 99.26 percent of the tourists visiting on cultural tour. Nature-based activities, such as trekking, bird watching, flora and fauna and adventure sports, accounted for 13.04 percent. Last year, the average length of stay stood at 6.90 days, a slight decrease from 2011’s 7.53 days, which was attributed to the significant growth rates in arrivals from Asian markets, who usually have shorter lengths of stay. Trends for source markets, such as USA, Japan or Europe and their average length of stay, however, remain almost the same over the years. The source market with highest average length of stay was Switzerland, spending around 10.91 days in Bhutan, followed by Netherlands, Australia and Germany. “Asian tourists staying for shorter duration is a stable trend and does not seem to change with the years,” the tourism monitor states. Last year, Chinese visitors stayed for 4.96 days, while the Japanese and Thai tourists stayed for 4.88 and 4.21 days respectively. Going by the arrivals, Malaysia stands as an emerging Asian market, being featured in last year’s top ten markets. 
 Source: Kuensel
 By Kinga Dema

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Popular Routes of Trekking

Source: K2 By kinga Dema

Druk path trek: Duration: six days The treks start from either Thimphu towards paro or vice versa. Surpassing beautiful Himalayas where you also get to experience wonderful views of lakes and the rhododendron forest. Season: late February to June and September to December.

Jomolhari Treks Durations: nine days offering a great view of land scape, the treks starts from Drukgyel Dzong in Paro and passes through the dense forested valleys leading to the high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals. Season: April to June and September to November.

Laya Gasa Trek Duration: 12 days. From picturesque farmland and forests to alpine pastureland and high passes. The trek starts from Shana in Paro and ends at Punakha. This route also offers some of the most impressive peaks like Mount Jhomlhari and Jichu Drakey. April is considered the best month for laya region. Season: April to June and mid-September to Mid- November.

Bumthang Culture Trek Duration: Three days This trek passes through several villages through Bumthang’s countryside providing an exceptional opportunity for contact with Bhutanese rural life. Season: March to May and September to November.

Gangtey Trek: Duration: three days Considered one of the finest treks. Gangtey trek starts from Phobjikha valley in Wangduephodrang. The trek passes through the meadows and fields of villages in Gogona and Khotokha and enters the dense forest filled with Magnolia, Juniper and Rhododendrons. Season: March to May and September to November

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Paro Tsechu

Source: Tourism Council of Bhutan

Paro Tsechu: 25th March - 2nd April, 2013

The Paro tsechu in spring is a major attraction in Paro district. People come from neighbouring districts to participate in the festivity. On the final day, the best time to go is early in the morning as the monks of the Paro Dzong prepare to display a giant appliqué thangkha, the Guru Throngdel, inside the dzong.

Day 1: (inside the dzong)

Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Bodhisattva Manjusri – representing the wisdom of all Buddhas – takes on the appearance of the terrifying Lord of Death (Shinje). His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents.

Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)

A dance that takes place in cremation grounds. The dancers wear skull masks and represent protectors of the religion who live in the eight cremation grounds on the periphery of the symbolic Mt. Sumeru.

The Black Hat Dance (Shanag)

The black hat dancers assume the role of yogis with the power to subdue and create life. The dancers wear brocade robes, wide brimmed black hats and aprons with the face of a protective deity. This is an important dance that is also used in purification ceremonies during the construction of dzongs, temples, chortens.

Dance of the Drum from Dramitse (Dramitse Ngacham)

A dance inspired in meditation. The dance is a vision of Guru Rinpoche and his celestial palace, Zangdopelri. Here, Guru’s attendants are transformed into hundreds of peaceful and terrifying deities. The dance originated in Dramitse Monastery in eastern Bhutan and is considered a Bhutanese heritage.

Dance of the Eight Kinds of Spirits (Degye)

A dance of the gods of the three worlds (sky, earth, underground). The gods protect the doctrines of the Buddha and subdue the spirits who make the world unhappy. Endless happiness is recovered. The dance is performed by the gods (believed to be incarnated in the dancers themselves) to renew faith and wisdom.

Religious song (Chhoeshay)

This commemorates the opening of the gateway to the pilgrimage site of Tsari in eastern Tibet by the founder of the Drukpa School of Buddhism, Tsangpa Jarey.

Day 2: (outside the dzong)

Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Bodhisattva Manjusri – representing the wisdom of all Buddhas – takes on the appearance of the terrifying Lord of Death (Shinje). His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents.

Dance of the Black Hats with drums (Shanag Nga Cham)

A dance to signify the victory of religion over enemies. The sound of the drum represents religion itself.

Dance of the Three Kinds of Ging with sticks (Gingsum)

A dance signifying the subjugation of demons that are obstacles to religions. It takes place in Zangtopelri, the heavenly palace of Guru Rinpoche.

Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)

A dance that takes place in cremation grounds. The dancers wear skull masks and represent protectors of the religion who live in the eight cremation grounds on the periphery of the symbolic Mt. Sumeru.

Dance of the Three Kinds of Ging with drums (Driging)

After the demons are vanquished, the gings with the drums dance with happiness. They beat the drums of religion and the dance is performed to bring good luck to all beings and to wish them happiness. This dance brings blessings to all who watch it.

Dance of the Stag and the Hounds (Shawa Shachi) – 1st part

The dance tells a favourite tale of Milerepa who converts a hunter to Buddhism.



Day 3: Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)

A dance that takes place in cremation grounds. The dancers wear skull masks and represent protectors of the religion who live in the eight cremation grounds on the periphery of the symbolic Mt. Sumeru.

Dance of the Terrifying Deities (Tungam)

Dressed in beautiful brocade and terrifying masks, this is a deeply symbolic dance where a sacrificial murder is performed. Guru Rinpoche appears in a wrathful manifestation to save the world. The dance is meant to show all beings the way to salvation.

Dance of the Heroes with six kinds of ornaments (Guan Drug Pawo)

The heroes hold six ornaments – five rings of bone ornaments and a small drum and bell in their hands. By their gestures and the sound of their melodies, the heroes lead sentient beings from the wheel of reincarnation along the path of liberation.

Kyecham is an accompanying dance to the next dance. The kyecham dancers wear knee-length yellow skirts, and animal masks.

Dance of the Noblemen and Ladies (Pholeg Moleg)

A comical play that depicts the life of King Norzang. The play is full of bawdy and rustic humour as two princes and two princesses, and old couple and clowns enact a story of misbehaviour, deceit, and mistrust. The story ends happily with the princes marrying the princesses and reconciliation takes place as a lesson to life.

Dance of the Stag and the Hounds – 2nd part

This is a conclusion of the dance began on the second day. The saint Milarepa appears in a long white dress and converts the dogs, stag and the hunter with a song. The conversion is symbolised by the hunter and his dogs jumping a rope.



Day 4:

Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Bodhisattva Manjusri – representing the wisdom of all Buddhas – takes on the appearance of the terrifying Lord of Death (Shinje). His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents.

Dance of the Four Stags (Sha Tsam)

A dance that depicts Guru Rinpoche subduing the God of Wind who is believed to have created unhappiness on earth. Dancers dress as stags in yellow knee length dress and masks of the deer. The stag represents the mount of the God.

Dance of the Judgement of the Dead (Raksha Mangcham)

This dance is based on the Bardo (Book of the Dead). When beings die they wander in an intermediate state known as the bardo. They cross the bardo to meet their judgement by the Lord of Death. Also present is the white god and black demon who have been with every being from birth. The dance is like a play which depicts the judgement of a sinner and a virtuous man who goes to heaven. The rakshas are the helpers of the Lord of Death.

Dance of the Drums from Dramitse (Dramitse Nga Cham)

A dance inspired in meditation. The dance is a vision of Guru Rinpoche and his celestial palace, Zangdopelri. Here, Guru’s attendants are transformed into hundreds of peaceful and terrifying deities. The dance originated in Dramitse Monastery in eastern Bhutan and is considered a Bhutanese heritage.

Day 5:

The great thangkha (thongdrel) is shown early in the morning followed by the Shugdrel ceremony.

Dance of the Heroes (Pacham)

A dance to lead believers in the human world into the presence of Guru Rinpoche.

Dance of the Ging and Tsholing

Guru Rinpoche initiated this dance during the consecration of the ancient Samye Monastery in Tibet. The dance is a purification ceremony. People whistle to chase away bad spirits. The ging, dressed in orange skirts and a terrifying mask, use their drumsticks to hit everyone on the head to drive out impurity. The tsolingrepresent protectors of the religion and are dressed in long colourful dresses and terrifying masks.

Dance of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Tshen Gye)

This dance is one of the highlights for Buddhist practitioners. The Guru appears in eight different forms in a dance that is also a play.

Dance of the Sixteen Fairies

After all eight manifestations appear, 16 fairies sing and perform two dances in front of the Guru. The fairies are Goddesses of Offerings who perform a dance to bring happiness. They are dressed in brocade dresses with carved bone ornaments. After these final songs, the manifestations go out in a long procession.

Religious Song (Chhoeshay)

This commemorates the opening of the gateway to the pilgrimage site of Tsari in eastern Tibet by the founder of the Drukpa School of Buddhism, Tsangpa Jarey.

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The national animal’s festival

Source: Kuensel

The national animal’s festival

JDNP recorded 164 Takins last year

Dressed as Lam Drukpa Kuenley, 18-year-old Jigme Thinley acted out the saint’s power by turning a goat’s head and a cow’s carcass into a Takin during the third annual Takin festival in Damji, Gasa on February 21.

Lam Drukpa Kuenley (1455-1529) is believed to have created the national animal by his magical powers, when a group of devotees requested him to perform a miracle.

This belief was replayed by a group of Bjishong middle secondary school students at the Takin festival, which was organised together by the Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) and the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB).

The play on how Takin originated in Bhutan attempted to create awareness of the animal in remote Gasa, the national animal’s biggest habitat. Besides, the locals also have a close link with the animal and the annual festival would further help in promoting the animal, JDNP’s manager Lhendrup Tharchen said.

The festival also aims to develop eco-tourism by encouraging more tourists in places like Gasa where tourist arrivals are less at this time of the year.

From 146 in 2001, the number of Takins in the park has increased to 164 last year. The park’s ranger, Phuntshok who has an experience of 13 years in dealing with the animal said it was difficult to get the exact number of Takins, which is mobile by nature.

Strong conservation policy and locals’ respect to the animal are cited as reasons for the increasing number of the mammal, park officials said.

People from as far as Laya and Lunana came to witness the festival that was held at Bijshong school ground, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

TCB’s assistant tourism officer, Karma Jigme said once the locals are ready to take over the festival, TCB would only provide technical support. The council this time supported with Nu 300,000. “Our target is to develop the capacity of the locals,” he said.

Tenzin Namgyel, Gasa

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TCBS considering taking over licensing of travel agencies

Source: Kuensel.

           Feb 23rd 2013

TCBS considering taking over licensing of travel agencies

The Tourism Council of Bhutan Secretariat (TCBS), which issues licenses for tourist hotels and guides, is considering taking over licensing of local travel agencies from the regional trade and industry office (RTIO).

This is mainly to closely monitor tour operators. “The tourism industry being service oriented, is a fragile industry,” TCBS’s officiating joint director Thuji N Dorji said. “People who don’t land up anywhere land up as tour operators.”

As of January 31, more than 350 tour operators had not renewed their licenses records with RTIO show. The RTIO had issued licenses to 1,068 tour operators but only 961 of the total are registered with the secretariat.

To avail a travel agency license, a person first submits an application to the secretariat with the desired company name. The secretariat issues a recommendation letter or clearance if the name is available. The letter is then taken to the RTIO to process the license.

Once the tour operator gets his license, he has to open a bank account and register with TCBS to set up an account for the online visa application.

RTIO officials said they imposed a penalty of Nu 20 a day and the license gets cancelled if it’s still not renewed after six months. After cancellation, the tour operators have to reapply.

As of January 31, TCBS had issued 1063 recommendation letters for setting up of travel agencies.

Tourism officials said while RTIO renewed the licenses, it was the department of revenue and customs who were supposed to monitor those operating without renewing their licenses.

“Everybody’s assuming that the other is doing the monitoring,” Thuji N Dorji said. “But anyone who operates without renewing their license is illegal.”

While no discussions on the travel agency licensing has taken place regional trade officials said it was good if TCBS does it. TCBS officials said it would help them closely monitor tour operators if the secretariat issues licenses.

Meanwhile, the secretariat is closely monitoring tour operators who have been operating without a proper office set up.

Last year, the secretariat inspected 441offices of which 105 were found attached with residence but with proper demarcation while five were found without proper demarcation.

Tourism officials said offices without proper demarcation were set up in altars and living rooms. “Such tour operators were asked to set up proper offices and the inspection is being continued,” the secretariat’s media spokesperson said.

Another 11 tour operators had sought time extension for setting up of proper offices. “TCBS proposed visa suspension and cancellation of licenses in case of non-compliance to repeated reminders for travel agents who do not cooperate,” the media spokesperson said.

Kinga Dema

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Bhutan Festival Dates 2013

SL#	FESTIVAL	PLACE	DATES
1	PUNAKHA DRUBCHHEN	Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA	15th – 19th February
2	PUNAKHA TSHECHU	Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA	20th – 22nd February
3	CHHORTEN KORA	Chorten Kora, TRASHI YANGTSE	25th February & 11th March
4	GOMPHUKORA	Gom Kora Lhakhang, TRASHIGANG	20th – 22nd March
5	PARO TSHECHU	Rinpung Dzong, PARO	23rd – 27th March
6	CHHUKHA TSHECHU	Chhukha Dzong, CHHUKHA	25th – 27th March
7	URA YAKCHOE	Ura Lhakhang, BUMTHANG	21st – 25th April
8	NIMALUNG TSHECHU	Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, BUMTHANG	16th – 18th June
9	KURJEY TSHECHU	Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	18th June
10	THIMPHU DRUBCHEN	Tashichho Dzong, THIMPHU	9th – 13th September
11	WANGDUE TSHECHU	Wangdi Dzong, WANGDUEPHODRANG	12th – 14th September
12	TAMSHING PHALA CHHOEPA	Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	13th – 15th September
13	THIMPHU TSHECHU	Tashichho Dzong, THIMPHU	14th – 16th September
14	THANGBI MANI	Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, BUMTHANG	18th – 20th September
15	JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUP	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	18th – 22nd October
16	PRAKHAR DUCHHOED	Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG	19th – 21st October
17	CRANE FESTIVAL	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, WANGDUEPHODRANG	11th November
18	MONGAR TSHECHU	Mongar Dzong, MONGAR	9th – 12th November
19	PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU	Pemagatshel Dzong, PEMAGATSHEL	9th – 12th November
20	TRASHIGANG TSHECHU	Trashigang Dzong, TRSASHIGANG	10th – 13th November
21	NALAKHAR TSHECHU	Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	17th – 19th November
22	TRONGSA TSHECHU	Trongsa Dzong, TRONGSA	9th – 11th January 2014
23	LHUENTSE TSHECHU	Lhuentse Dzong, LHUENTSE	9th – 11th January 2014

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