Traveling to Bhutan becomes easier as government removes compulsory travel insurance requirement
Individuals planning to visit Bhutan no longer need to present travel insurance when applying for a visa.
According to VisaGuide.World, the Bhutanese authorities made this decision on April 23, 2024, to make travel easier for tourists.
The Bhutanese authorities have made such a requirement during COVID-19 as a protective measure against unforeseen emergencies, including medical expenses related to the outbreak.
Although travel insurance is no longer compulsory, the Ministry of Tourism still recommends that tourists purchase insurance as a precautionary measure.
The mandatory requirement to purchase travel insurance when applying for a visa is hereby removed to facilitate smooth travel for tourists. However, tourists are advised to purchase travel insurance in case of emergencies related to international travel.
Bhutan lowers tourist fees to attract more tourists
The government of Bhutan has announced several measures aimed at attracting more tourists and helping the industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The measures include a reduction in daily visitor fees from $200 to $100, which takes effect in September 2023 and will be in effect for four years until August 2027.
Bhutan received more than 25,000 tourists in the first quarter of 2024, a record high
According to official statistics, the number of tourists to Bhutan increased significantly in the first three months of 2024. More specifically, according to the Ministry of Tourism, 25,003 tourists visited Bhutan during this period.
This is a 97% increase compared to the 12,696 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2023.
It was further revealed that the majority of tourists – 60% – were from India. The remaining tourists visiting Bhutan are from the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, France, Italy, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and Canada.
Ministry of Tourism chief marketing officer Carissa Nimah said the almost doubling of tourist arrivals could be attributed to a number of reasons, such as the reduction in daily rates to US$100 per night.
Additionally, global awareness of Bhutan among potential guests and global travel agencies has increased significantly due to concerted promotional efforts across the industry and extensive media coverage.
It was further revealed that Bhutan has expanded its tourism efforts in new global markets, with authorities expecting 2024 to be a strong tourism year.
