A voice in policy
ABTO is consulted on regulation affecting tour operations. Member positions are consolidated and carried to the Department of Tourism and other agencies.
Home / Membership
Join Bhutan’s leading
tourism network
Membership is open to every licensed tour operator in Bhutan, for an annual fee of Nu. 3,000. Members are listed in the national directory and have a voice in shaping the policies and decisions that affect Bhutan's tourism industry.
- Membership is open to all licensed tour operators in Bhutan.
- Annual membership fee: Nu. 3,000.
- Members are listed in the national directory on the ABTO website.
- Members have a voice in shaping the tourism policies and decisions that affect Bhutan’s tourism industry.
What Membership Gives You
National directory listing
A public profile in the member directory used by foreign agents, travel media and prospective visitors researching Bhutan.
Digital Membership Certificate
Download a digital Membership Certificate every year once your annual fee is confirmed, official recognition of active, licensed ABTO membership.
Training and certification
Subsidised in-country and overseas training, service standards programmes and sustainability certification initiatives, delivered through national and international partnerships.
Collective trade presence
Shared association stands at travel marts give smaller operators cost-effective access to international buyers.
Classifieds and notices
Post and find vehicles, equipment, staff and partnership opportunities across the membership.
Administrative facilitation
Faster processing of formalities and assistance with matters no single operator can pursue alone.
Apply Online
Membership application
Requirements & FAQ
Common questions
Any tour operator holding a valid tour operation licence issued by the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan. Membership is open to the whole licensed sector. There is no quota and no invitation requirement.
An annual membership fee of Nu. 3,000. It is paid when you first join and then again each year to renew, either at the ABTO office or by bank deposit when registering or renewing online.
Two routes. Visit the ABTO office during office hours with a copy of your tour operation licence and pay the Nu. 3,000 fee. Or register online: download the registration form, deposit the fee, then email the completed form together with a scanned copy of your licence and the deposit slip to the secretariat.
Applications are reviewed as they arrive. Once your licence and deposit are verified, your company is added to the public member directory.
Representation in policy consultation, a listing in the national member directory, a digital Membership Certificate renewed each year, subsidised in-country and overseas training, service standards and sustainability certification programmes, collective trade fair presence, the classifieds board, and the association’s advocacy on matters no single operator can pursue alone.
Once your annual fee is confirmed, a digital Membership Certificate for that year becomes available to download from your member account. It is official recognition that your company is an active, licensed ABTO member in good standing.
ABTO’s primary membership is Bhutanese tour operators. Overseas travel companies interested in working with Bhutan should contact the secretariat about partnership arrangements.
Download the Member Directory Update Form from the Downloads section, or email the secretariat directly with the changes.
No. ABTO is an independent, not-for-profit organisation guided by a Board and headed by an Executive Director, working within the framework of its own articles.