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Originally Posted by uhler
since we're on the topic of countries, anybody have any thoughts on bhutan?
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apparently, it's super beautiful, but not really accessible if you do not have a lot of money, as the government is now trying to limit the number of tourists entering the country: independent travel is forbidden, and you have to got through guided tours that are obliged to charge at least 200 $ a day...
there:
http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/visitor/visitor_.html
"All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided, package tour or custom designed travel program. INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IS NOT PERMITTED IN BHUTAN."
http://www.visitnepal.com/bhutan/bhutan_visas.php
"Bhutan's National Tourism organization has embarked on a protection campaign to preserve Bhutan's as the Forbidden Kingdom of lore. The unofficial word is that yearly tourist numbers are limited to 6,000. Agents serving Bhutan are required to qualify tourists by charging a minimum of $200.00 per day for services offered."
there is more detailed information here:
http://www.bhutanallseasons.bt/touri...formation.html
"Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local customs and way of life, especially while visiting places of religious significance.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also economically viable. For these reasons, tourism is carefully monitored and the number of tourists visiting Bhutan is kept to an environmentally manageable level.
Visitors may experience Bhutan only on all-inclusive package tours for which a fixed daily tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This tariff covers the following services: accommodation & all meals, transport, guide, entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites, and additionally a cultural program for visitors traveling in a group of three or above. "
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The Department of Tourism regulates all tourism related activities in Bhutan. The existing travel agencies are registered with them, and they also fix the daily tariff rates. 35 % of the daily tariff goes directly to the Department of Tourism and hence to the national treasury.
1. The current daily tariff is as follows:
Peak season: January, February March, April, May, June September, October, November, December.
For group of 3 persons or above US $ 200 per night per person For 2 persons in a group: US $ 230 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 200 +surcharge US $ 30)
- For 1 person: US $ 240 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 200 +surcharge US $ 40)
Low season: July, August - <LI class=style24>For group of 3 persons or above US $ 165 per night per person <LI class=style24>For 2 persons in a group: US $ 195 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 165 +surcharge US $ 30)
- For 1 person : US $ 205 per night per person ( daily tariff US $ 165 + surcharge US $ 40)
Tariff for individuals and small groups (FITs):
For group under 3 pax surcharge is applicable. This amount goes directly to the Government of Bhutan.
- <LI class=style24>1 person Group US$ 40 per Night stay in Bhutan.
- 2 person Group US$ 30 per Night stay in Bhutan.
it's all inclusive, but still...