Bhutan’s Paro Valley has seen a 45% increase in tourist arrivals this summer, according to the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Visitors are drawn by serene landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and Bhutan’s carbon-neutral promise.
Many tourists are coming from Europe and Southeast Asia, but there’s a notable rise in Indian travellers seeking peaceful mountain getaways. Hoteliers in Thimphu and Paro report full occupancy, a rarity during the pre-monsoon season.
The surge follows Bhutan’s decision to offer relaxed visa rules and discounts on the daily tourism fees introduced in 2022. Local authorities say the income is supporting village cooperatives, eco-lodges, and youth entrepreneurship in rural areas.
Media outlets in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are featuring Bhutan’s tourism strategy as a successful post-COVID recovery model, especially with the balance between economic development and ecological preservation.