I have all my respects and gratitude to senior decision makers of the pre-democratic Bhutan when looking at our tourism policy. Their decisions have made tourism as unique as our country. Let us look at tourism as a source of income, taxes, royalties, employment opportunities and also preservation our socio-economic heritage.
Tourism in Bhutan is the golden goose. It is our choice whether to kill the goose or enjoy the golden eggs! If we opt for the latter, then we need to review the tourism policy. While reconstructing this industry, focus should be laid on the future generation. The very reason why tourism in Bhutan is still government-protected is to reap the harvest with wisdom. If left to the free market, without regulations, the result could be disastrous. An example can be quoted from the financial crisis on Wall Street at the end of 2008. The ripple effects are too worrisome!
Our current development has its dirty side that will corrupt the industry’s future. Thus, we require timely recommendations. As good citizens, let us shed our old hides and wear new armours to combat the vagaries that come with globalisation.
I prepared a booklet called Reflective Tourism in 2008, which is not for sale. I will try my best to reach it to our decision makers. The booklet is not a comprehensive solution to the dirty side of our business but highlights ideas that could be used while redoing the tourism master plan.
Tariff is the most important tool to keep our unique policy alive. We need well-researched, far-sighted and timely re-establishment. Categorisation of service vendors is important because the pricing will reflect on the services offered. Undercutting (pricing below the minimum set tariff) is a magical tool in a free market business. Therefore, we must find ways to stop this because tourism should benefit everybody in Bhutan. The stakeholders must work with good profit margins to garner taxes for the government. The industry should generate taxes and royalties for the government through which every other citizen will benefit indirectly. As competition becomes fierce, some tour operators may tend to work in alliance with overseas middle agents. Bhutanese operators may become agents working on commission. Such are business patterns under free market force. The only way to reduce such a practice is by redesigning the tariff system to make more money for the government through taxes, royalties and generate employment and opportunities whereby all share the benefits.
Tourism should be a partnership venture consisting of associations such as hotels and guides, contractors of transport and sorts, government agencies, overseas agents and above all, the people of Bhutan. All the stakeholders should synchronise to make the industry a sought-after destination.
The government body looking after the tourism industry, such as Tourism Council of Bhutan, should make the whole country aware that tourism is a national venture. TCB can look for ideas to boost new opportunities for the private sector. Such participation can harmonise the socialistic and capitalistic approaches – the only vent through which we can see GNH play its game on Bhutan’s economic stratagem.
Tourism as a national activity will benefit or affect every one of us. How we conduct ourselves will be viewed as the modus operandi of Bhutan. To quote a few examples, we have the Druk Air and immigration officers from the onset of tourists flying into Bhutan; and then, a policeman, a monk, a farmer from the public. How any of us treat visitors will reflect on our country. We must acknowledge that licence holders of the tourism businesses come from different walks of life: monks, civil servants, farmers, housewives and many more who require understanding of the tourism business from a national viewpoint.
As the nation marches towards the inescapable globalisation, we must prepare and support the private sector. But tourism without government’s participation will be a dog-eat-dog-world. We have a choice here: an industry with ample opportunities for generations to come or just a self-employed business for the present.
In a nutshell, let us trust that GNH guided tourism can only be guided by our government. Therefore tourism industry should expand and develop even to an extent of a ministry by itself. Tourism can be a survival kit for the present and a gift for the future Bhutanese.
By T. Sangay Wangchuk T. Sangay Wangchuk is a tour operator based in Thimphu.
Tourism Policy Needs Change
I have all my respects and gratitude to senior decision makers of the pre-democratic Bhutan when looking at our tourism policy. Their decisions have made tourism as unique as our country. Let us look at tourism as a source of income, taxes, royalties, employment opportunities and also preservation our socio-economic heritage.
Tourism in Bhutan is the golden goose. It is our choice whether to kill the goose or enjoy the golden eggs! If we opt for the latter, then we need to review the tourism policy. While reconstructing this industry, focus should be laid on the future generation. The very reason why tourism in Bhutan is still government-protected is to reap the harvest with wisdom. If left to the free market, without regulations, the result could be disastrous. An example can be quoted from the financial crisis on Wall Street at the end of 2008. The ripple effects are too worrisome!
Our current development has its dirty side that will corrupt the industry’s future. Thus, we require timely recommendations. As good citizens, let us shed our old hides and wear new armours to combat the vagaries that come with globalisation.
I prepared a booklet called Reflective Tourism in 2008, which is not for sale. I will try my best to reach it to our decision makers. The booklet is not a comprehensive solution to the dirty side of our business but highlights ideas that could be used while redoing the tourism master plan.
Tariff is the most important tool to keep our unique policy alive. We need well-researched, far-sighted and timely re-establishment. Categorisation of service vendors is important because the pricing will reflect on the services offered. Undercutting (pricing below the minimum set tariff) is a magical tool in a free market business. Therefore, we must find ways to stop this because tourism should benefit everybody in Bhutan. The stakeholders must work with good profit margins to garner taxes for the government. The industry should generate taxes and royalties for the government through which every other citizen will benefit indirectly. As competition becomes fierce, some tour operators may tend to work in alliance with overseas middle agents. Bhutanese operators may become agents working on commission. Such are business patterns under free market force. The only way to reduce such a practice is by redesigning the tariff system to make more money for the government through taxes, royalties and generate employment and opportunities whereby all share the benefits.
Tourism should be a partnership venture consisting of associations such as hotels and guides, contractors of transport and sorts, government agencies, overseas agents and above all, the people of Bhutan. All the stakeholders should synchronise to make the industry a sought-after destination.
The government body looking after the tourism industry, such as Tourism Council of Bhutan, should make the whole country aware that tourism is a national venture. TCB can look for ideas to boost new opportunities for the private sector. Such participation can harmonise the socialistic and capitalistic approaches – the only vent through which we can see GNH play its game on Bhutan’s economic stratagem.
Tourism as a national activity will benefit or affect every one of us. How we conduct ourselves will be viewed as the modus operandi of Bhutan. To quote a few examples, we have the Druk Air and immigration officers from the onset of tourists flying into Bhutan; and then, a policeman, a monk, a farmer from the public. How any of us treat visitors will reflect on our country. We must acknowledge that licence holders of the tourism businesses come from different walks of life: monks, civil servants, farmers, housewives and many more who require understanding of the tourism business from a national viewpoint.
As the nation marches towards the inescapable globalisation, we must prepare and support the private sector. But tourism without government’s participation will be a dog-eat-dog-world. We have a choice here: an industry with ample opportunities for generations to come or just a self-employed business for the present.
In a nutshell, let us trust that GNH guided tourism can only be guided by our government. Therefore tourism industry should expand and develop even to an extent of a ministry by itself. Tourism can be a survival kit for the present and a gift for the future Bhutanese.
By T. Sangay Wangchuk
T. Sangay Wangchuk is a tour operator based in Thimphu.
Original story by Bhutan Observer
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