One voice at the table
We represent the general interests of Bhutanese tour operators at national, regional and international levels, from policy consultation with the Department of Tourism to global trade platforms.
Unite, Represent & Advance
Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators
Supporting sustainable tourism. Connecting Bhutan to the world. The official voice of Bhutan’s licensed tour operators since 2000.
Buddha Dordenma overlooking Thimphu, courtesy Original Bhutan Travels
Who We Are
The mutual and official voice of Bhutan’s tour operators.
ABTO is the recognised representative of the tour operators in Bhutan. Since its founding in 2000, our priority has been to bring about positive change for the effective function, administration and operation of tour operators.
We represent and protect the collective interests of the country’s tourism industry. As a service-providing organisation we render every support and assistance in undertaking activities that members cannot take up individually, and we seek ways and means to advance the cause of member tour operators.
To develop and promote the Bhutanese tourism industry with the highest standards of service, ethics and professionalism, in line with the vision of Gross National Happiness.
ABTO’s Purpose
Read the full charter ABTO’s Purpose
Bhutan Through Tourism
A high-value, low-volume model, measured in more than arrivals.
0Licensed MembersTour operators in good standing across all twenty dzongkhags
0Years of ServiceContinuously representing the industry since March 2000
0Dzongkhags ServedEvery district in the Kingdom reachable through our members
Bhutan, in Frames
The Kingdom our members show the world.
Dzongs at twilight, monastery courtyards, and roads that thread the mountains, photographed across Bhutan by our member operators.
Photography courtesy of Original Bhutan Travels, an ABTO member · hover to pause· swipe to explore
Why ABTO Matters
Four ways the association works on behalf of its members.
Ethics and professionalism
Membership signals a licensed, accountable operator. We work to raise service standards across guiding, logistics, safety and client care.
What no operator can do alone
Collective marketing, trade fair presence, group negotiation, training delivery and administrative facilitation, undertaken on behalf of the whole membership.
Tourism that gives back
Through programmes such as EU SUSTOUR, we help members measure and reduce impact while strengthening the value that tourism returns to Bhutanese communities.
Milestones
Twenty-five years of the association
From a handful of founding operators to the recognised representative body of the entire sector.
2000
ABTO is founded
Bhutanese tour operators formally organise to give the industry a single, mutual voice.
2011
Eleventh AGM
The Board of Directors is elected for a three-year term, formalising the governance structure that continues today.
2020–22
The closure years
ABTO coordinates the sector's response through the pandemic border closure and the reopening that followed.
2023
EU SUSTOUR Bhutan
ABTO joins the European sustainable tourism programme, bringing structured sustainability training to member operators.
Today
A maturing industry
Members deliver ground-breaking, distinctly Bhutanese tourism experiences under the high-value, low-volume policy.
Membership
Join Bhutan’s leading tourism network.
Membership is open to every licensed tour operator in Bhutan. Membership is Nu. 3,000 per year. You can complete the whole process online.
See all benefitsStep 01
Check eligibility
Hold a valid tour operation licence issued by the Department of Tourism.
Step 02
Complete the form
Company details, contact person, specialties and languages served.
Step 03
Attach documents
Scanned licence and proof of the Nu. 3,000 registration fee deposit.
Step 04
Listed in the directory
Once verified, your company appears in the public member directory.
Bhutan’s tourism strategy enters its next phase under the high-value, low-volume policy
ABTO members are being consulted as the Department of Tourism refines the framework governing Sustainable Development Fee levels, minimum service standards and guide certification requirements for the coming season.
Policy6 MIN READ
Latest from the Industry
8 May 2025
ABTO Annual General Meeting concludes in Thimphu
Members reviewed the year's accounts, endorsed the sustainability roadmap and discussed representation at forthcoming international trade fairs.
19 Apr 2025
EU SUSTOUR Bhutan cohort completes its second training cycle
Participating operators finished sustainability action plans covering waste, procurement, community benefit and carbon measurement.
2 Apr 2025
Paro summer schedule confirmed by both carriers
Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines have published seasonal frequencies. Operators should confirm group bookings early for the autumn festival period.
27 Feb 2025
ABTO delegation confirmed for the regional travel marts
A shared association stand will again be organised, giving smaller member operators cost-effective access to buyer meetings.
6 Feb 2025
Tentative festival dates released for 2025 and 2026
Tshechu dates across all dzongkhags are now published. Dates remain provisional until confirmed by the respective dzongs.
Policy & Regulations
The rules that govern the industry, in one library.
Acts, rules, notifications and tariff orders affecting tour operations, searchable, categorised and downloadable.
Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2022
Legislation · 2022 · PDF 412 KB
Tourism Levy Rules and Regulations
Regulation · 2023 · PDF 680 KB
Tour Operator Licensing Guidelines
Licensing · 2023 · PDF 295 KB
Minimum Service Standards for Tour Operators
Standards · 2024 · PDF 518 KB
Travel Information
Getting to Bhutan, and getting around it.
Paro International Airport is served by two carriers. Overland entry is possible at Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
National Carrier
Druk Air, Royal Bhutan Airlines
Bhutan’s flag carrier, operating from Paro to Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra and Gaya. Domestic service to Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula.
Private CarrierBhutan Airlines, Tashi Air
Bhutan’s first private international airline, connecting Paro with Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi and Kolkata. Schedules are seasonal, confirm with your operator.
Working With
Department of TourismRoyal Government of BhutanDruk AirBhutan AirlinesEU SUSTOURGuide Association of BhutanHotel & Restaurant AssociationBhutan Chamber of CommerceRoyal Society for Protection of NatureBhutan Convention BureauBhutan Media FoundationDepartment of ImmigrationDepartment of TourismRoyal Government of BhutanDruk AirBhutan AirlinesEU SUSTOURGuide Association of BhutanHotel & Restaurant AssociationBhutan Chamber of CommerceRoyal Society for Protection of NatureBhutan Convention BureauBhutan Media FoundationDepartment of Immigration