In a bid to invigorate its tourism sector, Bhutan is devising plans to lower the ‘expensive’ airfares for travelers coming to the country, as reported by Bhutan Live.

The Finance Minister of Bhutan believes that this strategic move will lead to an increase in the number of visitors to the nation. The high cost of airfare has often deterred travelers from choosing Bhutan as their destination.

To further entice tourists, the government has implemented several incentives, including a reduction in the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) from USD 200 to USD 100 per person per night. Additionally, plans are underway to allow low-cost hotels to accommodate tourists and establish extended-stay incentive programs. The government is actively working on these initiatives to make travel to Bhutan more affordable.

Finance Minister Namgay Tshering stated, “The government is collaborating with Drukair Corporation and Bhutan Airlines to lower airfare for tourists. This forms part of the government’s efforts to address concerns about the high cost of air travel,” as reported by Bhutan Live.

However, some lawmakers believe that frequent revisions to the SDF policy may not be the most effective strategy for promoting the tourism sector.