Planning a trip to Bhutan Just remember that your trip is slightly more expensive now. The government of Bhutan is planning on removing the fee waiver that was in place for tourists from regional countries namely, India, Maldives and Bangladesh.

Previously, international tourists had to pay a fee of a $250 (Approx. Rs 18,000) while visiting Bhutan. This fee included $65 as sustainable development fee and $40 for their visa. Tourists from India, Maldives and Bangladesh, however, were exempted from this fee and could enter the country without any visa. Citizens from these countries will now have to pay a sustainable development fee as well as a permit processing fee.

The step is being taken by the Bhutan government as an attempt to curb the rapid increase in tourism in the country which is harming the ecosystem. The government will also put a stop to regional tourists opting for low rent accommodations such as Airbnb, as this leads to unregulated guest houses and homestays. In 2018 alone over 2 lakh tourists visited the land of dragons out of which at least 60 per cent were Indians.