Its now cheaper for Bangladeshis to visit Bhutan
As per the new policy, the Bangladeshi tourists will only have to pay $15 as SDF which is equivalent to the fees levied on Indian tourists
Bhutan has reduced its sustainable development fees (SDF) of $100 per person per night to $15 for Bangladeshi tourists.
The decision comes following a Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) meeting between the two countries in April.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs South Asia wing on Monday (3 June) said that the Tourism Department of Bhutan notified the ministry that it has revised its policy for Bangladeshi tourists.
As per the new policy, the Bangladeshi tourists will now have to pay only $15 as SDF, which is equivalent to the fees levied on Indian tourists. This will allow 15,000 tourists from Bangladesh to travel to Bhutan per year with the reduced fees, the ministry added.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The visa policy has come into effect from 2 June.
From 20 June 2022, Bhutan abolished the Minimum Daily Package Rate (MDPR) and raised the SDF from $65 to $200 per person per night which was revised to $100 in June 2023.
The main objectives of the SDF system are to ensure that tourists visit in sustainable numbers and that a sizable proportion of the income made through tourism is shared by, and invested in, all Bhutanese people.
The SDF is collected by the National Exchequer of Bhutan as part of the visa application process. A visa, or permit to travel in Bhutan, is only issued after the SDF has been paid.
"Bangladesh and Bhutan enjoy special relations. The relationship has been further consolidated under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recent years," said Foreign Ministry sources.
Dhaka urged Thimphu to reduce its SDF for Bangladeshi tourists at the 3rd Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Bhutan on 19 April. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Pema Choden, Royal Government of Bhutan, and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Government of Bangladesh.
As per Bangladesh's request, the Bhutanese side assured of positive consideration to reduce fees for the Bangladeshi tourists to enhance tourism and foster people to people contact.
