Bhutan invites American tourists
Last year, Bhutan attracted over 41,000 tourists despite opposition from the traditionalists who fear wearing and tearing out of their cultures. And interestingly, the government, which is campaigning to welcome 100,000 tourists a year by 2013, increased the levy from $200 to $250 for some season. Yet, efforts seem continuing to invite as many tourists as possible.
Happiness, a utopian concept in Bhutanese context, is object of attraction for the visitors to Bhutan. The country has opened a tourism promotion office in United States as additional drive to call more visits to Bhutan. The campaigners say Bhutan’s three-fourth land is covered by forests with a pristine ecology that is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Bhutan has been projected as a trekker’s paradise and an environmentalist’s dream. Yet not many know much about it, especially as a travel destination. The Bhutan Council of Tourism said it is working to change this and is pleased to announce the opening of a representation office in the United States of America.
Kessang Wangdi, the Director General of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, said: “Bhutan has been voted one of the world’s top travel destinations and has managed to remain a niche destination. I am honoured to present and introduce Bhutan as a place on Earth that even the most seasoned travellers from the USA consider a privilege to visit.”
The statement from the council reads, “Legend has it that when the great Tibetan saint Tshampa Gyarey Yeshey Dorji (AD 1161-1211) was consecrating a new monastery in Tibet, he heard thunder, which he believed to be the voice of a dragon loudly proclaiming the great truths of the Buddhist teachings. The land of Bhutan is spiritual, being the last bastion of the Vajrayana School of Mahayana Buddhism. Those fortunate enough to visit Bhutan, describe it as a unique, deeply spiritual and mystical experience. The country is a unique blend of the old and the new. It is a country that is slowly opening up to the ways of the modern world while maintaining a delicate balance with its ancient traditions.”
The council has appointed eTurboPR, owned by the global travel news publication, eTurboNews as special agent for Bhutan travellers and promotional activities. And Wangdi invited Americans to visit this ‘unique’ country.
Juergen Thomas Steinmetz, President of the eTurboNews Group said: “Our team of communications specialists is uniquely capable of producing strategically-intelligent plans for the US marketplace. We’re excited to add Bhutan to our portfolio of destination representation in the US. Bhutan is a special place. It’s a model for responsible tourism – and one of the few jewels left for travelers to discover.”
The representation office of the Tourism Council of Bhutan encourages travel trade professionals and media to contact them by email at bhutan@eturbopr.com or by phone at 1-888-926-9980 or 1-347-410-9600.