Bhutan experienced a significant surge in international visitor arrivals this September, recording a 28 per cent year-on-year increase according to the latest monthly tourism bulletin released by the Department of Tourism (DoT). Official figures reveal that over 26,000 tourists traveled to the Himalayan kingdom last month, up substantially from nearly 20,300 visitors documented during the exact same period last year. Concurrently, gross revenue generated from the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) saw an impressive rise of more than 22 per cent year-on-year, reflecting broader financial recovery and sustained interest in the nation’s exclusive tourism model. Department of Tourism Marketing Manager and Media Focal, Dawa Yangchen, attributed this robust growth directly to His Majesty The King’s transformative vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City alongside Project 108, noting that these high-profile national initiatives have elevated Bhutan’s global profile as a premier travel destination. She further highlighted the synchronized marketing efforts executed by the Department of Tourism in tandem with private-sector stakeholders—including tour operators, licensed guides, and hospitality service providers—who together delivered targeted promotional campaigns and diversified tourist experiences. Breaking down the financial statistics, SDF contributions from regional Indian tourists jumped dramatically from over Nu 39 million in September 2025 to more than Nu 69 million in September 2026. Similarly, SDF collections from international dollar-paying visitors expanded from Nu 325 million to over Nu 378 million during the same timeframe, tracking the steady rise in total arrivals. To support this ongoing expansion in visitor volume, Bhutan’s local hospitality and service infrastructure has expanded accordingly. By the end of September, the DoT had certified a total of 552 accommodation establishments nationwide, including 199 certified village homestays providing authentic community-based experiences. Furthermore, the human resource pool serving the tourism ecosystem continued to broaden, with total registered tour guides increasing to over 3,500 following the addition of 52 newly certified professionals last month. Additionally, 28 new tour operators were officially registered during September, bringing the national cumulative total to 1,774 active agencies, positioning the country’s tourism sector for continued growth in the peak autumn travel season.