Nestled within the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is often referred to as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. This evocative name, steeped in mythology and reverence, perfectly captures the spirit of a nation where tradition, nature and mindfulness converge harmoniously. here are some interesting facts about this land of Thunder Dragon
- Bhutan is the world’s only carbon-neutral country, consuming greater carbon dioxide than it emits.
- Bhutan was completely cut off from the rest of the world until 1974. In 1974, the country allowed the new king’s coronation to be covered by the media for the first time, 64 years after its discovery.
- Bhutan has no traffic lights and roads are a scary experience, with sharp turns in the hilly areas. They are pathways that herds of animals such as cows and buffaloes use.
- Bhutan has declared a ban on the use of plastic.
- Bhutanese share the same birthday.
- Remember the time you forgot someone you cared about birthday? Bhutanese, on the other hand, do not face this problem. Bhutanese nationals all officially grow a year elder on New Year’s Day, which is interesting.
- Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce television which got its first television in 1990. This Bhutanese statistic will make you wonder, “How did they survive without television for so long?” Bhutan began broadcasting television in 1999. It was illegal till then. The Bhutanese government thought it would taint the country’s Buddhist culture.
- Archery is the national sport. Bows and arrows play an important role in several Bhutanese myths and stories. Bhutan has an Olympic archery squad as well.
All citizens have access to free education and healthcare.
The government has launched a programme to ensure that everyone has access to general health and educational services. Most people still receive their schooling from monasteries, but the government is making efforts to improve literacy.
Bhutan is the number one happiest country in the world because it has something that no other country has. It has successfully developed and implemented Gross National Happiness (GNH), which was conceptualized in 1972 and officially became part of Bhutan’s constitution in 2008. GNH prioritizes the goal of maximum happiness for its citizens and leads the country in whichever direction it needs to go to achieve this important goal.
BHUTAN TOURISM POLICY
Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness and a well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment.
Today tourism is a vibrant business with a high potential for growth and further development. The Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to a policy of ‘High Value, Low Volume’ tourism which serves the purpose of creating an image of exclusivity and high- yield for Bhutan.
The Vision
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development particularly for a developing country like Bhutan. It believes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help to promote a deeper understanding among people and to strengthen ties of friendship based on a deeper appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.
Towards achieving this objective, the Royal Government, has adopted a very cautious approach to growth and development of the tourism industry in Bhutan. Its tremendous potential as a truly indigenous industry and the clear comparative advantages Bhutan enjoys, are compelling reasons to promote Bhutan as a high-end tourist destination in a manner which accords with the tenets of Gross National Happiness.
Tourism Levy
A tourist must pay a tourism levy known as the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). The Sustainable Development Fee enables investment in transformative programs that preserve our culture traditions, protect our heritage and environment, upgrade infrastructure, create opportunities for our younger generations and build resilience.
As of 1 September 2023, the effective SDF is USD $100 per person per night for US Dollar paying tourists. In addition, a fifty percent discount on the SDF is granted on the rates applied to children aged between 6 to 12 years .
MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMME OUR FOUNDATION OFFER IN PARO VALLEY
The first thing (foreigners) talk about Bhutan is the gross national happiness But todays question is , Does Bhutan stands in the world as a happiest country or it is just an ideology? And what does that mean for people living here? for sure Its citizens have a variety of answers.
The World Happiness Report, published annually by Oxford University and the United Nations, puts Nordic nations Finland, Sweden and Denmark at the top of its happiness rankings. The list ranks 143 nations and territories around the world – but Bhutan isn’t one of them.
Even thought it is a country of so called happiness Bhutan might Lacks some things which a volunteer can bring to its peoples and country and they can be supporting the various programmed.
The Programme entitled Teaching in Bhutanese community school takes you to the Bhutan community school where you will work as a English Language Teacher. You will teach from grade 1- Grade 8. The schools are run by local Government and community mutual effort. This Programme is taken as a very important because Bhutan still lacks the good English Teacher and if you are the one it can help Bhutan education system in general and the local school and children's in particular.
Volunteers will work with students and Teachers in the day time while stay with farm house which is run by local Bhutanese family in the night .
Volunteers can work hard to make this project effective by delivering the best teaching to students . as this programmed is in city volunteers can just travel as in normal cloths and packing. The Programme is targeted in Paro Valley which is one of the beautiful city in Bhutan. As per the local weather updates one can pack and prepare. Ff volunteers are interested to expand their Buddhism knowledge and meditations also Bhutan is a great place with opportunity that gives some things in return to volunteers directly or indirectly. Farm house foods and hospitality will make you feel Bhutan your home away from Home.
PLEASE NOTE: SDF Also called Royalty per day USD 100
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily fee paid by travelers to support the development of Bhutan.
The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and the funds are used for various projects that create long-term and sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people, such as free healthcare, education and training, tourism and hospitality skills development, infrastructure improvement, environmental protection and conservation, cultural preservation programs and initiatives to support local businesses and the economy.
Once the Application is received with us volunteers can make the deposit, after you secure your deposit for the programmed we will ask you to transfer the SDF in our Kathmandu based bank account and after the SDF is received we will apply for your Bhutan visa and send you the Bhutan visa a week before your travel begins to Bhutan. You will need to pay USD 100 per day to stay in Bhutan as Government royalty beside any other cost.
