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Ecotourism offers new hopes for Bhutanese youth — and local environments

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Bhutan’s journey into tourism began in 1974, when the country opened its doors to package tourists, prioritizing sustainable growth and development. Today, with more than 70% forest cover safeguarded by a vast network of protected areas, Bhutan aspires to become a leading ecotourism destination, guided by the national tourism policy of “high-value, low-volume.” But there are some hurdles to overcome. The government defines ecotourism as a “responsible travel to natural areas and habitats, which conserves the environment, respects the culture and traditions of its people, and improves the overall well-being of its citizens within the overall concept of ‘Gross National Happiness.’” Tashi Tenzin, project manager with Department of Tourism Secretariat, says that besides cultural tourism such as festivals and visits to monasteries, which make up 88% of tourism activities, the department is diversifying in order to attract repeat visitors who return to the same destination one or more times. “Nature and community-based activities like high-end fly-fishing and birding have the potential to attract young repeat tourists,” Tashi Tenzin says. This, he says, will not only provide business opportunities but also promote regional development through infrastructure building in other parts of the country. Currently, trekking is a widely popular nature-based tourism activity in Bhutan. The Department of Tourism’s U.N.-sponsored ecotourism project focuses on two key protected areas, Bumdeling and Sakteng wildlife sanctuaries, and extends across five districts in eastern and central Bhutan: Lhuentse, Mongar, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse and Zhemgang. The Pachu Community Tourism campsite. Image by Choki Wangmo. “Its primary goal…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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