Subsequent to the Town hall held on 24th February 2010 by the Hon’ble Lyonchhen with tourism stakeholders, we are pleased to announce the timelines with relevant details for the decisions taken. TCB/DG/20 (b)/1593 dated April 14th, 2010

Low Season discount
The Low season discount presently existing for the months of January, June and July will be discontinued to promote Bhutan as an “all- year- round” destination.

Seasonal Royalty discounts:

1. Low Season months (January, June & July): USD 55
2. High Season months (Other than above 3 months): USD 65

Timeline: Effective 1st July 2011, there will be no low season months.

Royalty for Children

To encourage family trips, royalty for children below 12 years will be waived off. The age of the child will be verified from their passport and should be below 12 years at the time of their visit.

Timeline: Effective 1^st July 2011

 Tariff revision

 The tariff would be revised to USD 250/- per night with equivalent service to be provided (e.g. entrance to attractions, cultural shows etc).

Changes to the package construct and any additional mandatory service will be communicated at a later date with sufficient notice to the industry

 Time line: Effective 1^st January 2012 in line with mandatory implementation of minimum standards especially minimum 3 star accommodation to be provided.

 Agent commission

 Agent commission of 10% to continue as part of the minimum mandated floor price of USD 250/-

 FIT surcharge

 The surcharge will continue as per existing regulations for single and double pax.

USD 40.00 for 1 pax per night

USD 30.00 for 2 pax per night

Duration discount: TCB/ABTO-05/2165 dated 30th July 2010

9^th– 14^th Night:                       50% of the Royalty (USD 32.50 during the peak season and USD 27.50 during lean season) 

1. From 15^th Night onwards:   Royalty will be waived from 15th night onwards up to the maximum duration permissible as per the immigration Act 2006.
2. The above-mentioned discounts will be treated as one discount not separately (Both applicable)

 Timeline: Effective 5^th August 2010.

  Mandatory package disclosure to all stakeholders including international operators, tourists, TCB across all channels – print and online, to be implemented with immediate effect.

 This includes: –      

• Itinerary

 A detailed itinerary must be agreed upon in advance and communicated. Changes in the itinerary must be mutually agreed with the clients and informed to the Secretariat, TCB. Information on transfers should also be clearly communicated in the itinerary.

• Accommodation

Type of accommodation and star rating being provided must be communicated to the clients. (As soon as the star ratings are finalised and announced). Basic information with the level of services must also be communicated for other categories of accommodation such as lodges, farm stays or community lodges. If required photographs of the establishment must be provided.

 Guide services

Only certified guides are to be provided to the clients and in the future the level of guide must also be indicated. Special qualifications such as foreign language skills, expert knowledge is specific fields must also be communicated. As far as possible the name, photograph and Guide license copy of the guide accompanying the client(s) should be provided prior to the visit.

Meal Plan

Since the package is all inclusive, clear information on meals should be provided taking into consideration the areas being visited as per the agreed itinerary.

 –         Breakfast: American/English, Continental, Regional or Local

 –         Lunch: Picnic, Buffet/Set or A la carte with provision for specific requests such as vegan, vegetarian etc. Indication of the number of courses must be given for each of the above types.

 –         Dinner: Buffet/Set or A la carte with provision for specific request such as vegan, vegetarian etc. Indication of the number of courses must be given for each of the above types.

 Information on other dining options especially in the urban areas must also be provided and provision should be made for clients to eat out on their own. In such cases, arrangements must be made with a number of restaurants to pay for the food (up to a certain limit) by the tour operator as part of the package.

  Transport

 The type of transport being provided must also be indicated, in terms of make, model and capacity. The vehicle must be driven by a licensed driver/chauffeur and must have comprehensive insurance.

   Extras

 Any additional services and entrance fees if provided.     

Cancellation policy

 The tour operations regulations (Being revised) provide a guideline for cancellations but tour operator’s must develop their own cancellation policy and inform and agree with their clients prior to the visit.

 Royalty Free Zones, Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu & Phuentsholing. *

This is to inform that following the 1st Meeting of the TCB and upon the announcement issued by TCB Secretariat via # TCB/DG/20(b)/1845, Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu have been approved/declared as royalty free zones both for entry and exit for transit purposes only w.e.f. 1^st May 2010.

The following conditions will apply:

1. Transit means one night halt each for entry and exit. Halts longer than one night will not be considered as transit and the royalty will apply for the duration of the halt.
2. Royalty free means that only the royalty is waived, the balance payment will have to be deposited with the secretariat, TCB as per rules. *This will apply for all royalty free zones including Phuentsholing, which will continue as per existing regulations for one way only (Either entry or Exit).
3. To avail the royalty waiver tourists have to be hosted in TCB approved accommodation within municipal boundaries.

 Merak & Sakten Special Fee/ Permits: NRED/ECS-14/2010/153 dated 28^th September 2010.

Starting 1^st October 2010, Special Fee of Nu. 1,000.00 (Ngultrum One Thousand) will be levied per tourist per visit (trip).

The fee can be paid to the Nature Recreation and Ecotourism Division (NRED), when availing the park permit a prerequisite to visit the park.

 NEGATIVE LIST

 As per the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, henceforth tourists visiting Dzongs and Lhakhangs NOT listed in the following negative list are not required to process for permits (special permits) with Department of Culture, with immediate effect. DCP/42/2010/010 dated 3rd September 2010.

 Restricted Lhakhangs (Temples) and Religious sites (Nyes) for Tourists: –

1. Goenkhangs, Lhamoi Nyekhangs, Zhidai Nyekhangs, Zakhangs, Sungkhor Lhakhangs, Gyelkhangs and Tsenkhangs at all Dzongs, Lhakhangs and religious sites.
2. Nye of Singye Dzong, Nye of Rinchen Bumpa, Nye of Bae yul Khenpa Jong.

Not allowed to go beyond Kurtoe Tak Pang army camp.

1. Phu Nying Lha Nye not allowed from 20^th day of the 4^th Bhutanese month to 8^th Bhutanese month.
2. Rangung Karsapani Lhakhang, Tshe Zim and Ma Chen Zimkhang in Punakha Dzong and Sang Ngad Choeling in Talo. 
3. Not allowed to go beyond Jomo Kukhar’s Nye in Merak Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag. 
4. Dechenphu Lhakhang in Thimphu Dzongkhag not allowed but will be allowed only during the Dechenphu Tsechu till the courtyard. 
5. Aja Nye in Mongar Dzongkhag will not be allowed for tourists from the 15^th day of the 4^th Bhutanese month to 15^th day of the 8^th Bhutanese month.

Bumthang Dzongkhag: –

1.  Khe Chu Phu above Tharpaling Lhakhang in Chumi Gewog not allowed from 4^th to 9^th Bhutanese month.
2. Not allowed to go beyond Drak Lhakhang in Upper Tang Gewog from 3^rd to 9^th Bhutanese month.
3. La Tsho above the Kuenzang Drak Lhakhang not allowed to visit, from 3^rd to 8^th Bhutanese month.

 ATTENTION:

A)     Tourist visiting lhakhangs and religious sites should wear appropriate attire. All guides are advised to inform their tourist prior to making the visits accordingly.

B)     If religious ceremonies are being conducted coinciding with your tourists’ visit to Dzongs and Lhakhangs, all are kindly requested to maintain silence.

C)     Should any problems arise between the tourists and the caretakers, responsibility shall be on the Guides.

 D)    For filming inside the Dzongs and Lhakhangs and photography inside the lhakhangs, separate approval has to be sought from Department of Culture.