<
https://news.mongabay.com/2024/09/ecotourism-offers-new-hopes-for-bhutanese-youth-and-local-environments/>
"Bhutan’s journey into tourism began in 1974, when the country opened its doors
to package tourists, prioritizing sustainable growth and development. Today,
with more than 70% forest cover safeguarded by a vast network of protected
areas, Bhutan aspires to become a leading ecotourism destination, guided by the
national tourism policy of “high-value, low-volume.”
But there are some hurdles to overcome.
The government defines ecotourism as a “responsible travel to natural areas and
habitats, which conserves the environment, respects the culture and traditions
of its people, and improves the overall well-being of its citizens within the
overall concept of ‘Gross National Happiness.’”
Tashi Tenzin, project manager with Department of Tourism Secretariat, says that
besides cultural tourism such as festivals and visits to monasteries, which
make up 88% of tourism activities, the department is diversifying in order to
attract repeat visitors who return to the same destination one or more times.
“Nature and community-based activities like high-end fly-fishing and birding
have the potential to attract young repeat tourists,” Tashi Tenzin says.
This, he says, will not only provide business opportunities but also promote
regional development through infrastructure building in other parts of the
country.
Currently, trekking is a widely popular nature-based tourism activity in
Bhutan. The Department of Tourism’s U.N.-sponsored ecotourism project focuses
on two key protected areas, Bumdeling and Sakteng wildlife sanctuaries, and
extends across five districts in eastern and central Bhutan: Lhuentse, Mongar,
Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse and Zhemgang."
Via
Fix the News:
https://fixthenews.com/create-the-right-conditions/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
