Is Bhutan mulling over introducing $250 fee for regional tourists
Fake news claim: News published in times of India states that “Bhutan mulling over introducing $250 fee for regional tourists”
Traveling to Bhutan might soon turn costlier for Indian tourists. As per the reports, the Himalayan kingdom now proposes to extend the mandatory daily package of $250 (which is around INR 17700) to regional tourists, i.e., those from Bangladesh, India, and the Maldives. Earlier, the mandatory daily package was applicable to only foreign tourists.
While the price includes a $65 for sustainable development fee, 3-star accommodation, visa charges, meals, camping equipment, intra-Bhutan transport, and services of a guide. However, travel operators are of the view that even after covering all those expenses, the cost of spending a day in Bhutan would still be higher than what most Indian tourists can afford.
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Facts Check Verdict: False
News Verification: Normally tourists from foreign nations pay this amount a mandatory daily package of $250, this includes s $65 for Sustainable Development Fees (SDF), 3-star accommodation, visa charges, meals, camping equipment, intra-Bhutan transport, and services of a guide. The foreigners have to pay an additional $40 for Visa charges. However, the regional tourists from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh are excluded from paying these charges. Indian tourists in Bhutan pay anywhere from Rs 50-500 per day to enter sightseeing points.
As per the news published on economictimes, Currently, Bhutan charges every foreign visitor $ 250 per day including $65 ‘Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)’ and $40 visa charge. But ‘Regional Tourists’ from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives need not pay SDF or visa fees.
As per a Bhutanese website, Bhutan is mulling over keeping the discounted Sustainable Development Fees anywhere between Rs 500- Rs 3500 on a daily basis.
Hence it is not a mandatory charge of $250 for regional travelers from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh is not going to be implemented.
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