Comments on: Visiting tourists http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html Life and Politics in Democratic Bhutan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:25:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Accountability matters - Tshering Tobgay’s Blog http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-4383 Accountability matters - Tshering Tobgay’s Blog Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:37:01 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-4383 [...] government is yet to issue an official statement rescinding the prime minister’s executive order of 13 November 2009 that liberalized tourist [...] [...] government is yet to issue an official statement rescinding the prime minister’s executive order of 13 November 2009 that liberalized tourist [...]

]]> By: Ofmountains http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3978 Ofmountains Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:49:51 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3978 I fully support PM's policy and I think we are now ready to handle influx of tourists. Tourist should be allowed to visit Bhutan even without tour agent like any other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, etc... The benefits are enormous and an opportunity for all to grow. Let the platform be open for every body to take part. We can not remain closed and this is the right time we open and let the majority of world's people to see and enjoy natural beauty of Bhutan. Isn't it wonderful and good idea to share our good things with majority of worlds' population? I fully support PM’s policy and I think we are now ready to handle influx of tourists. Tourist should be allowed to visit Bhutan even without tour agent like any other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, etc… The benefits are enormous and an opportunity for all to grow. Let the platform be open for every body to take part. We can not remain closed and this is the right time we open and let the majority of world’s people to see and enjoy natural beauty of Bhutan. Isn’t it wonderful and good idea to share our good things with majority of worlds’ population?

]]> By: Ofmountains http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3977 Ofmountains Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:46:10 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3977 I fully support PM's policy and I think we are now ready to handle influx of tourists. Tourist should be allowed to visit Bhutan even without tour agent like any other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, etc... The benefits are enormous and an opportunity for all to grow. Let the platform be open for every body to take part. We can not remain closed and this is the right time we open and let the majority of world's people to see and enjoy natural beauty of Bhutan. Isn't wonderful and good idea to share our good things with majority of worlds' population. I fully support PM’s policy and I think we are now ready to handle influx of tourists. Tourist should be allowed to visit Bhutan even without tour agent like any other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, etc… The benefits are enormous and an opportunity for all to grow. Let the platform be open for every body to take part. We can not remain closed and this is the right time we open and let the majority of world’s people to see and enjoy natural beauty of Bhutan. Isn’t wonderful and good idea to share our good things with majority of worlds’ population.

]]> By: ResponsibleTours http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3970 ResponsibleTours Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:40:36 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3970 I would like to say, stick to your minimum US$200 per day, you have a good thing there. I agree with most that High Quality and Low Volume is the way to go. A couple of you have given the example of Nepal going in the wrong direction by becoming a cheap destination rather than an exotic one, i couldn't agree more. Almost every Tom, Dick and Harry are becoming Tourism Entrepreneurs and the only way they can attract business is by offering cheaper rates. There is only so much one can bring the price down and then exploitation will have to take place, i.e low or bad payment of porters,staff,transporters, hotels etc. The foreign Tour Operators are no Angels either, once you have an open market, they will squeeze local companies as much as they can to for maximum profit despite their claims to Responsible Tourism practices etc. These 'Chillips' are some of the biggest hypocrites and they will wring you dry. Do not let go of the good thing you have, SAY NO to the "Liberisation" of the Tourism Market in your still pristine country, raise your voices to prevent a disaster in the waiting. You friendly Jaga Supporter from Nepal! I would like to say, stick to your minimum US$200 per day, you have a good thing there. I agree with most that High Quality and Low Volume is the way to go. A couple of you have given the example of Nepal going in the wrong direction by becoming a cheap destination rather than an exotic one, i couldn’t agree more. Almost every Tom, Dick and Harry are becoming Tourism Entrepreneurs and the only way they can attract business is by offering cheaper rates. There is only so much one can bring the price down and then exploitation will have to take place, i.e low or bad payment of porters,staff,transporters, hotels etc.

The foreign Tour Operators are no Angels either, once you have an open market, they will squeeze local companies as much as they can to for maximum profit despite their claims to Responsible Tourism practices etc. These ‘Chillips’ are some of the biggest hypocrites and they will wring you dry.

Do not let go of the good thing you have, SAY NO to the “Liberisation” of the Tourism Market in your still pristine country, raise your voices to prevent a disaster in the waiting.

You friendly Jaga Supporter from Nepal!

]]> By: drukparopa http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3969 drukparopa Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:51:13 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3969 Thanks for the suggestion to read the Constitution. I read it again to clarify my doubts. You must read it too. And, while the deeper legalities of the document are still beyond my grasp, the intrinsic value and noble essence of this Most Precious Jewel has strengthened my pride to be called a citizen of Bhutan who is fortunate to have worked and lived under the reign of two Druk Gyalpo.[PALDEN DRUKPA GYALO] I digress... Refer Articles 34 and 35 of the Constitution. Looks like someone did suggest or thought it prudent to include "this" [referendum]a "...few years ago..." I am not clear on section 3 of article 34. Does it apply only to taxes, as I am unable to interpret whether the words "imposition, "variation" and "any other grounds" refer specifically to taxes, or to any other issue "...as may be prescribed by Parliament". Thanks for the suggestion to read the Constitution. I read it again to clarify my doubts. You must read it too.
And, while the deeper legalities of the document are still beyond my grasp, the intrinsic value and noble essence of this Most Precious Jewel has strengthened my pride to be called a citizen of Bhutan who is fortunate to have worked and lived under the reign of two Druk Gyalpo.[PALDEN DRUKPA GYALO]
I digress…
Refer Articles 34 and 35 of the Constitution. Looks like someone did suggest or thought it prudent to include “this” [referendum]a “…few years ago…”
I am not clear on section 3 of article 34. Does it apply only to taxes, as I am unable to interpret whether the words “imposition, “variation” and “any other grounds” refer specifically to taxes, or to any other issue “…as may be prescribed by Parliament”.

]]> By: Lotus http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3963 Lotus Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:32:19 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3963 Why try to mend when it is not broken. The present policy is perfect???? Why try to mend when it is not broken. The present policy is perfect????

]]> By: perplexed http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3962 perplexed Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:50:45 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3962 I agree to many of the comments posted by different people but I am only surprised to see that there is not a single person who has posted anything in favour of the liberalisation. This clearly gives a one sided picture and makes me think as to who were those tour operators that supported the cause ..., lets listen to them as well to make a good decision. It is also clear that the present ministers were fully involved in the design of "low volume high price" tourism policy and therefore they know more than any other citizen in this country. In order to provide balanced view however, it should be viewed from different angles. Few have also posted about the referendum in a number of times. Let us read whether our constitution has clauses for such things in the first place and if not it is too late to bark ... things such as this (referendum) should have been suggested few years ago when the constitution was discussed all over the country. I agree to many of the comments posted by different people but I am only surprised to see that there is not a single person who has posted anything in favour of the liberalisation. This clearly gives a one sided picture and makes me think as to who were those tour operators that supported the cause …, lets listen to them as well to make a good decision. It is also clear that the present ministers were fully involved in the design of “low volume high price” tourism policy and therefore they know more than any other citizen in this country. In order to provide balanced view however, it should be viewed from different angles. Few have also posted about the referendum in a number of times. Let us read whether our constitution has clauses for such things in the first place and if not it is too late to bark … things such as this (referendum) should have been suggested few years ago when the constitution was discussed all over the country.

]]> By: Lotus http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3960 Lotus Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:05:16 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3960 I dont know if liberalizing tourism is good for our people and our environment. On one hand the new government pledge for Bhutan to be carbon neutral and on the other hand we wand to liberalize tourism. It is true we need to boost our economy but do we need to the flush gate of one $1.00 tourist to come into Bhutan and let the waste be left behind instead of footprints. There are few questions pondering in my mind. 1. Do we have the infrastructure to absorb million tourist? 2. Do we have the carrying capacity to take so much rubbish left behind by the one dollar tourist? 3. Are we ensuring quality tourism or hippy tourism? Choice is with the new policy makers. 4. Do we want to promote tour operators to run their office from a briefcase? A briefcase office can reduce the overhead costs (house rent, staff and no permanent location). With the new technology mobile phone can used as an office... be it internet, calls or photo sessions. 5. Is 3 star hotel a myth or reality? If it is reality, which one dollar tourist is willing to spend a night in one of these hotels? which star are we promoting.... a 3 star hotel or a place under a tree where all tourists can look up into the clear night skies to gaze at the stars. Who will monitor which tourist is staying in a tree (3) star hotel? 6. Who will ensure the safety of the tourist? When the tourists are left on their own, they could get lost? There are no taxis to stop for a ride and you can hardly meet a soul for days when traveling in remote places. Are we encouraging white hitch hikers? 7. In Bhutan we require permits to travels or visit a monastery or lhakhang. Will those impatient tourists willing to spend a day or two in Bhutan just to obtain a permit without sight seeing? 8. Finally, who monitors a. the visitors when we do not even have a system to, b. the TCB c. the briefcase tour operators (by then all well established operators will be bankrupt) d. quality of guides (professionalism) e. whether the tourists is staying in a 3 star hotel or a tree star gazing rooms. f. please add your two pence too..... I dont know if liberalizing tourism is good for our people and our environment. On one hand the new government pledge for Bhutan to be carbon neutral and on the other hand we wand to liberalize tourism. It is true we need to boost our economy but do we need to the flush gate of one $1.00 tourist to come into Bhutan and let the waste be left behind instead of footprints. There are few questions pondering in my mind.
1. Do we have the infrastructure to absorb million tourist?
2. Do we have the carrying capacity to take so much rubbish left behind by the one dollar tourist?
3. Are we ensuring quality tourism or hippy tourism? Choice is with the new policy makers.
4. Do we want to promote tour operators to run their office from a briefcase? A briefcase office can reduce the overhead costs (house rent, staff and no permanent location). With the new technology mobile phone can used as an office… be it internet, calls or photo sessions.
5. Is 3 star hotel a myth or reality? If it is reality, which one dollar tourist is willing to spend a night in one of these hotels? which star are we promoting…. a 3 star hotel or a place under a tree where all tourists can look up into the clear night skies to gaze at the stars. Who will monitor which tourist is staying in a tree (3) star hotel?
6. Who will ensure the safety of the tourist? When the tourists are left on their own, they could get lost? There are no taxis to stop for a ride and you can hardly meet a soul for days when traveling in remote places. Are we encouraging white hitch hikers?
7. In Bhutan we require permits to travels or visit a monastery or lhakhang. Will those impatient tourists willing to spend a day or two in Bhutan just to obtain a permit without sight seeing?
8. Finally, who monitors
a. the visitors when we do not even have a system to,
b. the TCB
c. the briefcase tour operators (by then all well established operators will be bankrupt)
d. quality of guides (professionalism)
e. whether the tourists is staying in a 3 star hotel or a tree star gazing rooms.
f. please add your two pence too…..

]]> By: Dophu http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3955 Dophu Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:59:54 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3955 Ugyen, i agree with you about the under qualified consutant for tourism. I also agree we should be able to make the decision makers accountable if the change goes negative and yet implementing knowing the change is no good for the country Ugyen, i agree with you about the under qualified consutant for tourism. I also agree we should be able to make the decision makers accountable if the change goes negative and yet implementing knowing the change is no good for the country

]]> By: Ugyen Penjor http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2010/visiting-tourists.html#comment-3954 Ugyen Penjor Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:50:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/?p=1778#comment-3954 In developing economies as it is with our Bhutanese economy, Governments have selected the sectors of economy to push forward after deliberating again and again in their parliament as we should have done since we have since 2008 transformed into a democratic system, of which i am also an important component as a voter and more importantly as a citizen, it seems that the elected Government decided to leave out very conveniently the views and deliberations of the parliament with regard to this very important policy change which will ultimately effect the lives of the majority of the citizens from the urban dweller to the yak herders school going child and the farmers who make a living as horseman as we are talking about mass tourism and the negative impacts that we all have seen globally due to mass tourism. Specially that our two most important values that every tourist advices us as guides and operators when they are leaving the country after their trip is, keep the nature as it is now, and to keep our culture the way it is now. With mass tourism being proposed, I would like to be able to point fingers and make the people responsible after the effects start to take non-reversable impacts 5-6 years down the line. Tourism is as they say, the second most important sector for the Bhutanese economy. Three years back, the then Department of Tourism was deliberating or rather trying to enforce on having a fixed royalty by means of a ‘Bhutan Card ‘ concept , which ensures a fixed income for the Government, which is fine by tour operators as they to know their duties as citizens of the country and then doing exactly the same system as the present elected Government is proposing under the ‘Executive Order’ of the Prime Minister. Rolling out of the integrated system and whereby liberalization takes place. But yet trying to control by means of a high end destination. Mckinzy, may have been the right choic e by our Government but by what I have seen, the consultant working in particular with tourism is no doubt a very good data collector and analyzer and a excellent presenter but nothing beyond this. Definitely there is no real in depth big change which makes a tour operator owe with open mouths and say we never thought of that. The bottom line is simple, ensure royalty to the Government and make tourist stay in minimum 3 star accommodations, so that we are ensuring, ‘High Value’. We all know this simple rule, it is nothing new, this is in practice since 1974, when tourism opened, and our Great Monarchs made this the policy even till now. Then why are people trying to change this. These people have to be made responsible and accountable if the system that is working is changed. We have to be able to bring down these people and be able to put names on these people when the system starts to fail down the years. The Bhutan card was to guarantee tourist arrivals and income for the Government as well as employment, three-four years have past with the tour operators completely against the idea of liberalization and the results, we have achieved double increase in tourist arrivals,from 13,000+ to 27,000+, double increase in foreign exchange and etc. So then what is the problem with the policy makers here, can the law intervene or where do we approach when such a dictator kind of policy is being trying to be pushed down our throat and system. I pray that 5-6years down the line we will be as prestine and culturally rich and beautiful as we are now. In developing economies as it is with our Bhutanese economy, Governments have selected the sectors of economy to push forward after deliberating again and again in their parliament as we should have done since we have since 2008 transformed into a democratic system, of which i am also an important component as a voter and more importantly as a citizen, it seems that the elected Government decided to leave out very conveniently the views and deliberations of the parliament with regard to this very important policy change which will ultimately effect the lives of the majority of the citizens from the urban dweller to the yak herders school going child and the farmers who make a living as horseman as we are talking about mass tourism and the negative impacts that we all have seen globally due to mass tourism. Specially that our two most important values that every tourist advices us as guides and operators when they are leaving the country after their trip is, keep the nature as it is now, and to keep our culture the way it is now. With mass tourism being proposed, I would like to be able to point fingers and make the people responsible after the effects start to take non-reversable impacts 5-6 years down the line. Tourism is as they say, the second most important sector for the Bhutanese economy. Three years back, the then Department of Tourism was deliberating or rather trying to enforce on having a fixed royalty by means of a ‘Bhutan Card ‘ concept , which ensures a fixed income for the Government, which is fine by tour operators as they to know their duties as citizens of the country and then doing exactly the same system as the present elected Government is proposing under the ‘Executive Order’ of the Prime Minister. Rolling out of the integrated system and whereby liberalization takes place. But yet trying to control by means of a high end destination. Mckinzy, may have been the right choic e by our Government but by what I have seen, the consultant working in particular with tourism is no doubt a very good data collector and analyzer and a excellent presenter but nothing beyond this. Definitely there is no real in depth big change which makes a tour operator owe with open mouths and say we never thought of that. The bottom line is simple, ensure royalty to the Government and make tourist stay in minimum 3 star accommodations, so that we are ensuring, ‘High Value’. We all know this simple rule, it is nothing new, this is in practice since 1974, when tourism opened, and our Great Monarchs made this the policy even till now. Then why are people trying to change this. These people have to be made responsible and accountable if the system that is working is changed. We have to be able to bring down these people and be able to put names on these people when the system starts to fail down the years. The Bhutan card was to guarantee tourist arrivals and income for the Government as well as employment, three-four years have past with the tour operators completely against the idea of liberalization and the results, we have achieved double increase in tourist arrivals,from 13,000+ to 27,000+, double increase in foreign exchange and etc. So then what is the problem with the policy makers here, can the law intervene or where do we approach when such a dictator kind of policy is being trying to be pushed down our throat and system. I pray that 5-6years down the line we will be as prestine and culturally rich and beautiful as we are now.

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