The Kingdom of Bhutan, on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is an eternal mystery to most people. Although the country is slowly opening up to tourism, people want to do things differently there than in Nepal or India. The almost untouched nature consists of picturesque mountains and valleys – and is very important to the almost 800,000 residents. Just like happiness, which seems to be worth significantly more than money in the Buddhist country. But how does it live and travel through this undiscovered part of the world? Dorji Dhradhul, the country’s tourism minister, took us on a journey through his homeland in an interview with stern.
“Bhutan is a mix of vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes and exciting adventure activities,” the minister promotes his country. And the more he talks about the place where he grew up, the clearer it becomes how important it is to him. The Drukpa, as the locals call themselves, are generally very close to their homeland. It is not for nothing that environmental protection is enshrined in the constitution on several occasions. For example, it is stipulated that 60 percent of the country’s area must be forested, and investments are increasingly being made in climate-friendly energy and accommodation.
But environmental awareness also has an impact on tourism: “We want people to experience Bhutan through its vibrant and storied cultural and Buddhist heritage, as well as through activities such as hiking, trekking, bird watching, fishing (catch and release), water rafting and immersion get to know the local life of the people,” explains Dhradhul. This is also the reason for the strong regulation of visitor flows. In the kingdom this does not take place through limited offers, but is regulated by the price.
A trip to Bhutan offers many opportunities, unique insights into a mysterious world – but also a big hole in your wallet. In addition to accommodation and meals on site, tourists have to pay an entry fee of 40 US dollars – and for over a year also a so-called “sustainable development fee” of around 200 euros per day. At least it also contains a guide, without which you are not allowed to explore the kingdom anyway.
This may not sound very tempting at first. But: “With this strategy, Bhutan wants to minimize the negative effects of tourism, such as environmental destruction, cultural erosion and social dislocation,” says the tourism minister. All things that many travel destinations from Spain to Asia are suffering from these days. And if you really want to experience Bhutan, you won’t let the fees stop you. Last year at least 115,000 visitors found their way there.
If the Tourism Minister has his way, there won’t be much more in the next few years. But not less, because people are happy about foreign visitors to whom they can show their culture and the special features of their landscape. One thing you can definitely learn from the Drukpa is their approach to luck. In Bhutan this is measured like the gross domestic product in this country. So you might think – despite the high fees – happiness is worth more than money in the kingdom.
The so-called Gross National Happiness consists of four pillars: promoting sustainable development, preserving and promoting cultural values, preserving the natural environment and creating good governance. “But that doesn’t mean that money doesn’t play a role for us. It just means that the general well-being of the population is just as important and that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that all the conditions for this are met,” says Dhradhul.
The Drupka draw a lot of strength from their living environment and culture. As a visitor you can feel this in every corner of the kingdom. Be it a visit to Parotaktsang, probably the most famous Bhutanese monastery on the cliffs of the Himalayas. Or a hike through Bumthang, the valley in central Bhutan known as the “Switzerland of Bhutan” for its pristine mix of magnificent mountains and lovely valleys.
“With a trip to the highlands of Merak and Sakteng in Trashigang, travelers can experience the unique lifestyle of the highlanders,” added the tourism minister. Other highlights of a trip to Bhutan include the historic Punakha Dzong fort, Gasa Hot Springs and Khoma handicrafts in Lhuentse.
There are now a few hotels in Bhutan, but if you really want to get a feel for the way of life of the residents, you should register with a host family: “Even if accommodation in a host family doesn’t offer the comfort of hotels and resorts, you can “Participate in the daily rituals of Bhutanese villagers and participate with other farmers in growing and harvesting, picking seasonal fruits and vegetables, and eating authentic Bhutanese dishes that are not tainted by restaurant recipes.”
In Bhutan, residents are happy to welcome guests and often welcome them with open arms. But you shouldn’t expect luxury there – if you stay with a farmer, you get the nicest room, but often have neither internet nor hot water. The Bhutanis are not a rich people. Nevertheless, there are more and more locals who open their homes to visitors. This is also because the government promotes local tourism projects and allows locals to actively participate in the design. “This approach promotes a sense of responsibility among locals and encourages them to actively protect and preserve their natural environment,” says Dhradhul.
But the truth is that the residents of Bhutan have a clear idea of what tourists are like when they visit their holy land. According to the Minister of Tourism, in addition to the respect for culture, which should actually be a given everywhere in the world, it is also welcome to adapt in terms of clothing: “The national costume, Gho for men and Kira for women, is of great cultural importance for us .” There is no obligation to wear the robes, but it is encouraged. Likewise, observing customs such as this: “We always circle religious structures in a clockwise direction.” The phallic symbols that adorn many buildings in Bhutan should also not be interpreted in an overly sexual way – they serve more to protect against shame.
Anyone traveling to Bhutan will have to dig deep into their pockets. But he gets an insight into a world in which many things are different. The environment is more important than consumption and purchasing power, happiness is at least as important as money and otherwise people limit themselves to simple and peaceful coexistence. Yes, Bhutan is a luxury vacation, but without any superficialities. But with untouched nature and authentic encounters. And therefore perhaps exactly the place from which we can learn a lot.
