IS TRAVELLING TO BHUTAN EXPENSIVE?
The answer to this question is a both YES & NO
Let me explain how:
YES if:
1. Backpacker
All tours to Bhutan needs to be a guided tour which makes it undesirable for backpackers.
All accomodations needs to be a minimum of 3 star accommodation as per tourism regulation and backpackers prefer shared hostels.
So YES, it is expensive for this group of travellers
2. Low-income group
The minimum daily sustainable development fee of USD 100 per night makes Bhutan undesirable for the low income group of travellers who wish to explore for a short stay. so YES, travelling to Bhutan is expensive for this group of people
NO if:
1. Frequent traveller
As a frequent traveller, you've travelled to so many countries and therefore experienced different tour packages with different pricing. Comparing all these leisure tour packages, as a frequent traveller, you will find that travelling to Bhutan is actually not that expensive and it is not difficult to reach. so NO, travelling to Bhutan is not expensive.
2. Bhutan being expensive and difficult to travel is mythified as explained by our Prime minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay
The first thing most interested visitors come across is the mandatory sustainable development fee of USD 100 when they hear or read about visiting Bhutan and this already creates a negative impression and most visitors do not research beyond that. However, it is very important to understand the reasons behind this fee.
Some say that the government is being selfish and only thinking of themselves while some say that Bhutan is being too strict with outside influence. Both the rumours are wrong.
Bhutan is a growing economy with its major revenue from hydropower and more than half the population still relying on agricultural produce for source of revenue. Bhutan is a carbon negative country and will remain so as it is driven by the philosophy of Gross National Happines. Our constitution mandates that Heath and Education be provided for free for all citizens. So if you look it in a nutshell, Bhutan do not have any other major source of revenue generation. Therefore, the money so collected in the form of SDF is then used to provide FREE healthcare and FREE education for all citizens. The money so collected is not not misused and each dollar is accounted for.
3. "High Value Low Volume" tourism policy
This is our tourism policy. Simply put, it means that the numbers are kept at a manageable level. There is some myth surrounding our policy. Some say Bhutan is still living in its old age not willing to accept change and open up while some say that the country is very restrictive in how they deal with foreign cultures. Both or any other rumour is factually incorrect.
You might have come across, seen or read about countries being flooded with over-tourism where the numbers have far exceeded what that place can actually accomodate. This directly leads to land pollution, waste management problem, service delay and many more.
Through our policy of high value low volume, all these issues are mitigated at source. This policy also ensures that those travellers visiting Bhutan truly have a great memorable experience.
Our tourist hotspots are not overcrowded, numbers are manageable, infrastructure is not over-burdened which positively impacts Bhtuan's hospitalty ensuring Bhutan's commitment as a high end destination.
4. All-inclusive package
Travellers and visitors alike other than from India need to understand that the packages sold by all local tour operators are an all inclusive package. The packages offered will include:
Inclusions
- Sustainable development fee US $100 pp/night
- English speaking local guide
- Meals listed in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Accomodation in a 3 star hotel under twin/ dbl bed sharing basis
- All transportation within the country for the duration of your stay
- Entrance fees for museums & monuments
- Airport transfers (Pick & Drop off)
Exclusions
- Single room supplement charges
- Personal expenses (You can either purchase from your home country or we can arrange to purchase from our end)
- Fines and penalties you incur during the course of your stay if any
- Airfares
So if you factor out all the inclusions, as a traveller or visitor wishing to visit Bhutan, you will find out that infact Bhutan is not expensive to travel. How much you're being quoted will vary depending on who you choose to be represented by. Here at CUDIS vacations, we have the most competitive quotations which is by far one of the lowest among tour operators.
For a group of 2 or more, our quotation is USD 270 pp/night. We are providing you a base figure to work out yourself and find out if travelling to Bhutan is actually expensive. Once you factor in all the inclusions from the daily quotation, you will know that it is actually cheaper to visit than most countries even with our daily SDF of USD 100.
If Bhutan is in your bucket list, do not just leave it there. Make it a must to visit this autumn or spring next year. Get in touch with us to find out more about how you can come to Bhutan. we make journeys simple, affordable and luxurious.
BHUTAN IS NOT DIFFICULT TO TRAVEL TO NOR IT IS EXPENSIVE AS HAS BEEN THE MYTH FOR A WHILE
WELCOME TO BHUTAN!
