The following is information passed on from the Government of Bhutan to all tourist operators. All tourist operators in Bhutan operate under these rules and regulations regardless of the companies size. It is placed here so as to give you a complete idea as to how the tourist industry operates in Bhutan, how the standard tariff will be used, and the legalities we must conform to.
SCHEDULE OF TARIFF FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS
MINIMUM TOURIST TARIFF
a) The minimum tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
High Season Tariff - US$200 per person per night halt (March, April, May, September, October & November)
Low Season Tariff -US$165 Per person per night halt (January, February, June, July, August & December).
b)The minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive of the following:
- Royalty
- Charges for accommodation
- Food and beverages as per the “Minimum Meal Entitlements”
- Service of guides
- Transport within Bhutan
- Riding ponies and pack animals on treks.
c) The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.
d) The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/ asked for. List of hotels and lodges approved for international tourist accommodation updated from time to time shall be issued by the TAB.
TARIFF FOR INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS
a) Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
Single individual-US$ 40 Per night halt
Group of 2-US$ 30 Per night halt per person
b)The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.
c)The surcharge will not apply to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TAB.
VISAS & PERMITS
a. All applications for tourist visas shall be submitted by the Tour Agents in the prescribed visa Application Form in triplicate to TAB in advance to allow time of one week for processing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b. As far as possible, 3 copies of original passport size photographs must be furnished with the visa applications. However if this is not possible, the photographs must presented by the tourist on arrival to the Visa officer at the entry point.
c. All requests for visa, visa extensions and cancellations for tourists shall be routed through the TAB and no Tour Agent shall accept any tourist whose visa has been processed through other channels.
d. All requests for other types of permits required for tourists shall also be routed through TAB.
TARIFF & PAYMENT PROCEDURES
The minimum daily package rate to be applied by tour Agents shall be fixed by the Royal Government. This daily package rate will be an all-inclusive rate. The break-up of the daily package rates into its component items viz. agent commission, discounts, royalty and other levies and the details of payment procedures are given in the Schedule of Tariff for International Tourists, 1999 at Annexure I of these Rules and Regulations.
RESTRICTED AREAS
Tour agents shall ensure that tourists visiting Bhutan through their establishments are not taken to places closed to tourism. A list of places open to tourists will be issued by the Royal Government from time to time.
PAYMENT PROCEDURE
a) All tour payments shall be made in US dollars or in any convertible currency acceptable to the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and shall be made in advance to TAB for the visas to be processed.
b) When advance payments are not possible, the Tour Agent shall arrange to deposit its counter value in local currency which shall be released on receipt of the tour payment in convertible currency.
c)The TAB shall not process tourist visa applications of those Tour Agents who are not able to deposit advance payments either in convertible or in local currency.
d) The exchange rates shall be based on the rates published by the RMA from time to time. Any loss or gain resulting from exchange rate difference or fluctuation shall be entirely at the risk or to the benefit of the tour operator/ agents.
e) As far as possible, all tour payments shall be routed through either Bank of Bhutan or Bhutan National Bank.
f) Payments must be received either by telegraphic transfer to an overseas account of the two banks mentioned above or by means of a bank draft or banker’s cheques drawn in favour of Tourism Authority of Bhutan. In all the cases, the name of the local tour agent as the “ beneficiary” shall be clearly stated.
g) Bank charges involved shall be borne by local tour operator or agent abroad as may be mutually agreed between them. TAB shall have no responsibility in this regard.
h) Any other modes of payments other than ones mentioned under f) above, especially in cash, are illegal and are discouraged by TAB. However, under certain circumstances where payments are received in such forms, tour operators shall declare them to TAB along with proper documentary testimonials supporting the mode of payments and the amount. Any such payments without the supporting documents shall be considered illegal and shall be liable to confiscation as per foreign exchange rules.
CANCELLATIONS
Tour programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
Within 30 days of the start of the tour programme - Free
a) Within 21 days - 10% of the rate
b) Within 14 days - 15% of the rate
c) Within 7 days - 30% of the rate
d) Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice - 50% of the rate
f)After arrival in Bhutan - 100%
DELAYED ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
a) There shall be no charge for the number of days of delays in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or roadblocks.
b) There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in departure of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or roadblocks. They will be charge only the actual expenses on accommodation, food, transport and any other services required.
c) The Tour Agents shall immediately notify TAB in writing about the change in tour itinerary as a result of
