Mark your calendar and save the date for the Haa Summer Festival on 9th and 10th July, 2011. The
festival is one of the most special events organized in the enchanted valley of Haa which was opened to
tourists only in 2002.

Download:

1. Haa Summer Festival Brochure
2. Show casing the rich alpine flowers, folklore and culture
3. Haa Summer Tentative Festival program 9-10th July

The following conditions will apply:

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.
• 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).
• To avail the royalty waiver tourists have to be hosted in TCB approved accommodation within municipal boundaries.

East Asia and the Pacific, Asia, the Middle East and Africa are forecasted to record growth at rates of over 5% year, compared to the world average of 4.1%.

The more mature regions of Europe and the Americas are anticipated to show lower than average growth rates. Europe will maintain the highest share of world arrivals, although will be a decline from 60 per cent in 1995 to 46 percent in 2020.

Long-haul travel worldwide will grow faster, at 5.4 per cent per year over the period 1995-2020, than intraregional travel, at 3.8 per cent. Consequently the ratio between intraregional and long-haul travel will shift from around 82:18 in 1995 to close to 76:24 in 2020.

2010 – A “year of transformation”
Overall economic indicators also suggest an increasingly solid basis to regain optimism. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated at the beginning of this year that the global recovery is occurring “significantly” faster than expected. Against this backdrop UNWTO forecasts growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3% and 4% in 2010. By region, Asia is expected to continue showing the strongest rebound, while Europe and the Americas are likely to recover at a more moderate pace. Growth is expected to return at a stronger pace also to the Middle East while Africa will continue its positive trend benefiting from the extra boost provided by the2010 FIFA World Cupin South Africa. As a result, 2010 while still being a demanding year, promises to be a ‘year of transformation’.
On the negative side, unemployment is expected to continue rising with economic growth still fragile in major source markets, especially in Europe and the USA. Furthermore, oil prices remain volatile and taxes might rise to balance public accounts. Non-economic challenges also continue. On the one hand, security threats and the potential of increased related hassle and costs for travelers remain. On the other, experience from previous pandemics shows that the evolution of theH1N1 influenza still poses uncertainty. While these factors will do little to increase tourism demand, consumer confidence, so crucial for tourism growth, seems to be picking up, while interest rates and inflation are expected to remain low, easing perspectives for tourism businesses

grew significantly, often with the support of specific government measures. This was the case amongmany other countries, of Brazil, China and Spain, where the domestic
market, representing a large share of the total, contributed to partially offsetting the decline in international tourism.

2010 – A “year of transformation”
Overall economic indicators also suggest an increasingly solid basis to regain optimism. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated at the beginning of this year that the global recovery is occurring “significantly” faster than expected. Against this backdrop UNWTO forecasts growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3% and 4% in 2010. By region, Asia is expected to continue showing the strongest rebound, while Europe and the Americas are likely to recover at a more moderate pace. Growth is expected to return at a stronger pace also to the Middle East while Africa will continue its positive trend benefiting from the extra boost provided by the2010 FIFA World Cupin South Africa. As a result, 2010 while still being a demanding year, promises to be a ‘year of transformation’.
On the negative side, unemployment is expected to continue rising with economic growth still fragile in major source markets, especially in Europe and the USA. Furthermore, oil prices remain volatile and taxes might rise to balance public accounts. Non-economic challenges also continue. On the one hand, security threats and the potential of increased related hassle and costs for travelers remain. On the other, experience from previous pandemics shows that the evolution of theH1N1 influenza still poses uncertainty. While these factors will do little to increase tourism demand, consumer confidence, so crucial for tourism growth, seems to be picking up, while interest rates and inflation are expected to remain low, easing perspectives for tourism businesses and bringing some relief to households. In this context, there is scope for a revival among source markets which were hard hit in 2009 such as the Russian Federation or the UK. This could be further leveraged by the fact that a slump is generally followed by a rebound due to pent-up demand. Destinations are expected to actively factor in this opportunity, together with stakeholders maintaining the momentum of the spirit of cooperation and partnership bred by the crisis. The tourism sector is starting 2010 on a stronger basis, having proven flexible in dealing with rapid shifts in demand and volatile market conditions. On a long term perspective, the crisis provided an opportunity to address underlying structural weaknesses and decision takers can seize the opportunity to implement strategies fostering sustainable development and the transformation to the Green Economy. Although recovery seems to be on track, it is important to remain vigilant. “Many countries were quick in reacting to the crisis and actively implemented measures to mitigate its impact and stimulate recovery. Although we expect growth to return in 2010, a premature withdrawal of these stimulus measures and the temptation to impose extra taxes may jeopardize the pace of rebound in tourism. As highlighted in the UNWTO Roadmap for Recovery (see page 9), the sector can make a vital contribution to economic recovery, particularly as a primary vehicle for job creation and the transformation to the Green Economy. But to do so we need serious global policies that are supportive of tourism said Mr. Rifai.

Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) www.unwto.org

The magazine features tourism related travelogue with an added emphasis on culture, travel destinations, hot spots, and snippets. It should raise labels and have a social-infotainment element to it too in the form of human stories, features without straying from the travel theme. Additional supplements in the form of advertorials, infomercials and catalogues will be a valued addition. The core focus of The Pilgrim will be on the Bhutanese tourism sector and their role and impact along with the socio-cultural and economic make-up reflecting the ‘tourism-situation’ and ‘condition’ of the country. Stories will focus on but not be limited to:

- The impact of global pop culture.
- Tourism hot spots and travel trends.
- Emerging potentials (opening up of new sectors).
- Model/Inspirational stories related to or influenced/affected by tourism
- Bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.
- Issues reflecting the season and the potential therein.

Training methods and approaches are as follows:
1.Understanding the hydrology system of the rivers,
2.Rescue techniques, safety kayaking and first aid
3.Raft preparation and guiding along the rivers
4.Learning new swimming techniques in different river currents
5.Managing tourists on rafts and during emergencies

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 1st 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.