The growth also contributed to employment generation
10 February, 2011 - Tourists visiting the country increased by more than 13,000 in 2010 compared with arrivals recorded in 2009.
The nation saw about 40,873 tourists last year far exceeding its expected number of 35,000.
Of the total number of tourists who visited the country in 2010, 28,463 were international or dollar paying tourists including 1,267 who entered for business purposes.
The rest 12,410 were regional tourists from India, Bangladesh and Maldives.
International tourist arrival increased by almost 5,000 in 2010 compared with 2009.
In 2009 the arrival of tourist was 27,707 including 23,480 international and 4,227 regional tourists.
Regional tourists, council officials had said were considered crucial to boost Bhutan as an all season tourist destinations.
Tourism Council of Bhutan officials said a conservative estimate of 60 percent was considered as the share for international tourists visiting for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
These were some of the other aspects of tourism, council officials said, would be promoted specially in the regional market.
The regional tourist arrival was 12,410 among which 6,610 were arrivals for leisure and rest were for business purposes.
The regional tourist growth was 56 percent over 2009.
The council recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in March, April, October and November (refer graph).
Arrivals in these months increase, no doubt, because of the many festivals in the western and central parts of the country.
Council officials, in an email interview said most tour operators marketed festivals as the main package to attract tourists.
Opening of Samdrupjongkhar and Gelephu for tourism in 2009, council officials said also contributed to increase in arrivals but claimed not to have any figures, as of now, to back the statement.
The jump in tourist arrivals, officials claimed contributed to employment generation.
It created about 954 direct jobs, meaning in the tourism sector and 1,650 indirect jobs, which include all auxiliary services to restaurant, taxis and other side businesses that support the industry.
Tourism council officials also said they would be organising road shows, attending travel fares and marketing Bhutan as a high end tourist destination.
-By Chimi Om -Kuenselonline.com
