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The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) proudly announced that Bhutan is poised for growth and open for tourism arrivals during a series of events held throughout the United States last week. A delegation comprised of 14 Bhutanese tour operators – led by Mr. Kesang Wangdi, Director General, Tourism Council of Bhutan; Mr. Tandin Jamso, CEO of Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines; and Ms. Chhimmy Pem, Head of Marketing and Promotion, Tourism Council of Bhutan – has concluded a cross-country road trip educating the U.S. market about the unique charms of Bhutan.
Known as “The Land of the Thunder Dragon,” Bhutan is an unspoiled kingdom nestled in the Himalayas and sandwiched between China and India. It is accessible via nonstop air service from both Bangkok and Delhi aboard the national carrier of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Drukair. Nearly 28,000 international visitors annually make their way to this fascinating country that measures its society’s performance by way of “Gross National Happiness.” Throughout the road show, representatives from the Tourism Council of Bhutan told U.S. media, tour operators and travel agents that (1) growing high-value/low-volume sustainable tourism is now a national priority and (2) the U.S. tops the list of potential source markets.
“In what is essentially our country’s ‘Thomas Jefferson period’ of adopting a new democratic government, this is an especially exciting time for Bhutan… meeting new business partners, telling the story of our cherished destination, and learning so much about the dynamic and always active American marketplace,” said Mr. Kesang Wangdi, Director General, Tourism Council of Bhutan. “On behalf of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, we could not be more enthusiastic about our future opportunities in the U.S. market.”
The road show kicked-off at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, California where more 100 attendees took part in a mini trade show with Bhutanese tour operators before enjoying a gala dinner in honor of the Bhutanese delegations’ recent arrival to the U.S. After a brief film depicting the wonders of Bhutan, TCB officials spoke candidly about the future of tourism in their country before questions and answers and a lucky draw prize giveaway.
Two days later, more than 150 travel industry professionals gathered at the Explorers Club in New York City to learn more about Bhutan and have one-on-one informational sessions with the 15 Bhutanese tour operators who constituted the bulk of the delegation. U.S.-based tour operators and travel agents swapped brochures and business cards with their Bhutanese counterparts as they discussed offering Bhutan packages and tours to their clients.
After the cross-country tour, the Tourism Council headed to New Orleans to take part in their first-ever United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) Annual Conference and Marketplace and meet with America’s leading tour operators.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
