The Bhutanese government is investing in tourism: a modern airport is being built in the country, and new routes for guests are being opened. However, access will remain controlled.
Bhutan is ready to welcome tourists / © Unsplash
One of the most remote countries in the world is opening up to tourists. We are talking about Bhutan, a country located in South Asia, near China and India. The country has long limited travel opportunities for tourists, but a new airport and an ambitious city are preparing for guests.
This is reported by the BBC.
Holidays in Bhutan: The Country Is Ready to Welcome Tourists
Twelve thousand volunteers participated in clearing the site for the construction of a new airport in Bhutan. Among them was the King of the country, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The King personally took part in clearing the jungle in the southern lowland city of Gelephu to pave the way for the new airport.
Gelephu International Airport is scheduled to open in 2029. Construction began earlier this year. It has already received the “Future Project of the Year” award at the World Architecture Festival 2025.
The terminal is intended to be built from Bhutanese timber. The airport is designed to independently regulate humidity and offer views of the mountainous landscapes. For tourists, facilities for gong therapy, yoga, and meditation will be provided. The planned throughput is 123 flights per day.
All this is to make the city of Gelephu accessible to travelers from all over the world.
The last Buddhist kingdom in the world is situated in the mountain folds of the highest mountain range on Earth. Bhutan has spent most of its history in “seclusion.” For centuries, Bhutan did not accept tourists until 1974, when the country began inviting them.
Tourists were not accepted to protect cultural heritage. Before the pandemic, to travel to Bhutan, one had to book trips through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator and pay a daily fee of at least $200.
After 2022, tourists wishing to visit Bhutan must pay a sustainable development fee of $100 per adult per night. Bhutan aims to maintain its approach of high-end, controlled tourism.
Currently, only one airport, Paro, operates in Bhutan. Reaching Bhutan requires several layovers, and it is also very expensive. One-way tickets with multiple layovers can cost at least $1200.
Paro is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world as it is located in a narrow, winding mountain valley. Fewer than 50 pilots worldwide are qualified to land there.
In 2025, Paro received only 88,546 visitors.
Where Tourists Relax in Bhutan
Most tourists head to Thimphu, Punakha Valley, Phobjikha Valley, and Bumthang. Each of these locations has luxury hotels. The opening of the new airport will give tourists the opportunity to visit the wild and sparsely populated southern regions of the country.
The pandemic led to the collapse of Bhutan’s already underdeveloped tourism industry. The coronavirus accelerated the country’s plans to build its first railway and a second airport. Local authorities hope that the city of Gelephu will begin to attract investors and travelers seeking spiritual relaxation.
“Instead of flying through Hong Kong or Bangkok, travelers will prefer to fly through Gelephu, where they can spend a few days on a jungle safari or in meditation,” says Gelephu Governor Dr. Lotay Tshering.
Tourists are expected to be drawn by the unique mountain landscapes, wildlife, hiking trails, cardamom and orange groves, or hot springs.
What to See in Bhutan
Tourists in Bhutan should visit the following places:
-
Royal Manas National Park with elephants, tigers, leopards, and rhinos.
-
The mountainous landscapes and jungles of Southern Bhutan, considered one of the wildest places on the planet.
-
Buddhist temples.
-
The Heritage Village, showcasing the country’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
In 2028, the 168-kilometer “Born of the Lotus” route is set to open, connecting the subtropical south of Bhutan with its spiritual heartland. The eight-day journey will allow visitors to see rhododendron forests and alpine ridges.
Tourists are offered rafting, bird watching, homestays, and eco-camps, as well as the chance to see unique wild jungles, which are extremely rare on Earth.
Tourism: Latest News
In China, two women were arrested and fined for damaging the Great Wall of China in the popular Badaling section. One of the tourists scratched the names “Zhang Li and her sister Ruixia were here” on a brick with scissors, while the other filmed it.
Thanks to social media publicity and eyewitness complaints, law enforcement identified and detained the offenders the very next day.
Vandalism incidents occur regularly in this section. Previously, tourists have been punished for similar actions with fines and several days of arrest.
Comments Sort: New Old Popular Send
Source: tsn.ua