The reopening is underpinned by transformations in three key areas: enhancements to its sustainable development policies, infrastructure upgrades, and the elevation of the guest experience.
BANGKOK – At a special trade event held in Bangkok, participants learnt first-hand how the Himalayan country plans to protect itself from over-tourism.
In his presentation at the Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok in front of a large audience of invited guests from Thailand’s travel community, HE Kinzang Dorji, Ambassador of Bhutan in Thailand, unveiled a new tourism strategy. Announcing the Kingdom of Bhutan reopens its borders to international guests following the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening is underpinned by transformations in three key areas: enhancements to its sustainable development policies, infrastructure upgrades, and the elevation of the guest experience. His Excellency also introduced the country’s new marketing campaign Bhutan Believe.
“Bhutan’s noble policy of high-value, low-volume tourism has existed since we started welcoming guests to our country in 1974. But its intent and spirit were watered down over the years without us even realising it. Therefore, as we reset as a nation after this pandemic and officially open our doors to visitors today, we are reminding ourselves about the essence of the policy, the values and merits that have defined us for generations,” said H.E. Dr Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan in his global message issued this week from Bhutan.
Andrew J Wood was born in Yorkshire England, he is a former hotelier, Skalleague and travel writer. Andrew has 48 years of hospitality and travel experience. Educated at Batley Grammar School and a hotel graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh. Andrew started his career in London, working with various hotels. His first posting overseas was with Hilton International, in Paris, and he later arrived in Asia in 1991 on Bangkok with his appointment as Director of Marketing at the Shangri-La Hotel and has remained in Thailand ever since. Andrew has also worked with the Royal Garden Resort Group now Anantara (Vice President) and the Landmark Group of Hotels (Vice President of Sales and Marketing). Latterly he has been the General Manager at the Royal Cliff Group of Hotels in Pattaya and the Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok & Resorts.
A past board member and Director of Skål International (SI), a former National President with SI Thailand and a two time past President of the Bangkok Club. Andrew is the former President of Skål Asia. In 2019, Andrew was awarded SKÅL’s highest award the distinction of Membre D’Honneur.
He is a regular guest lecturer at various Universities in Asia.
