Bhutan posts 209,376 arrivals and strong recovery in 2026

Bhutan recorded 209,376 tourist arrivals in 2025, representing a 44.33% year‑on‑year increase and marking one of the strongest international recoveries reported globally for the year. Sustainable Development Fee collections reached USD 43.31 million (Nu. 3.95 billion), a 49.1% rise versus 2024, underlining both higher visitor volumes and continued emphasis on value‑based tourism revenues.

2025 snapshot: headline numbers and structural shifts

The published snapshot, titled Tashel Melong 2025, shows a notable change in origin markets: visitors from Countries Other Than India (COTI) now represent around 40% of arrivals, up from 27% in 2019. That shift signals diversification of source markets as Bhutan seeks to reduce single‑market reliance and attract higher‑spending segments. Globally, most destinations posted international arrival growth in the single digits; Bhutan’s 44% places it among the top performers in post‑pandemic rebound.

Policy, digital platforms and capacity building

Tashel Melong 2025 functions both as a performance mirror and a planning compass. It aligns tourism monitoring with Bhutan’s longer‑term economic frameworks: the 21st Century Economic Roadmap, the Bhutan Integrated Tourism Masterplan 2025–2034, and the Industrial Development Roadmap. The strategy tile is clear: strengthen tourism’s contribution to national GDP while maintaining the principles of Gross National Happiness.

Key investments reported include upgrades to the Tourist Registration System, the launch of Tashel ZoomDu, the Tourism Ideation Forum, a Monthly Tourism Bulletin of Bhutan, and the Tourism Services Portal. These digital platforms are designed to improve stakeholder coordination, streamline traveller registration and reporting, and support evidence‑based marketing and product development.

Operational initiatives and product development

• Professional capacity‑building for guides, hospitality staff and community hosts.
• Targeted marketing to diversify source markets and extend the tourism season.
• Regenerative tourism pilots focused on community benefits, cultural heritage and natural conservation.
• Improvements to transport and visitor logistics to support regionally balanced visitation.

Logistics, transport and supply‑chain implications

Rapid arrival growth places immediate pressure on several operational vectors. Air connectivity, border processing, inter‑district transport and accommodation capacity must scale in step with visitation while preserving the high‑value, low‑volume model. Increased SDF revenue provides fiscal room for targeted infrastructure upgrades, but effective deployment depends on coordinated supply‑chain planning across ministries and private operators.

Specific logistics considerations include:

• Airport throughput: peak‑season scheduling and baggage handling to avoid delays that ripple through domestic connections.
• Road transport: demand for reliable shuttle and coach services between Paro, Thimphu and outlying valleys.
• Accommodations: ensuring growth in rooms and small‑scale lodges is aligned with quality and sustainability standards.
• Community logistics: strengthening last‑mile access in remote destinations so economic benefits reach local populations.

Historical context and governance approach

Bhutan has consistently emphasized a high‑value, low‑volume approach to tourism, using instruments such as the Sustainable Development Fee to limit mass flows and capture economic benefit. The 2019 baseline — prior to the pandemic — showed a lower share of COTI arrivals and a more India‑centric market mix. Post‑pandemic reopening has accelerated diversification and digitalization of management tools, reinforcing long‑standing policy choices that prioritize cultural and environmental integrity alongside economic gains.

Why Tashel Melong matters

The Tashel Melong publication is notable for institutionalizing a regular, data‑driven review of tourism performance. Its dual role — as a retrospective snapshot and a forward‑looking guide — helps align public policy, industry planning and community objectives. By documenting both successes and gaps, the snapshot supports adaptive management and resource prioritization.

Outlook: cautious growth and regional positioning

Looking ahead, the most likely trajectory is continued recovery with moderated, sustainable growth. Key determinants will be:

• Effective reinvestment of SDF revenue into transport and visitor management;
• Diversification of source markets to reduce vulnerability to single‑market shocks;
• Continued digital upgrades that streamline traveller processing and industry coordination;
• Robust disaster‑risk and climate adaptation planning to protect scenic and cultural assets that underpin Bhutan’s appeal.

Risks include infrastructure bottlenecks, workforce shortages in hospitality, and external shocks to global travel demand. If managed well, however, the sector can deliver year‑round, regionally balanced benefits that support rural livelihoods and cultural preservation.

In summary, the Tashel Melong 2025 snapshot documents a strong post‑pandemic upswing for Bhutanese tourism, with 209,376 visitors, significant SDF revenue growth, and clearer market diversification. Operational priorities now focus on logistics, infrastructure and capacity building to convert headline figures into lasting community and environmental benefits. For readers tracking destination developments and wider tourism trends, GetBoat.com is always keeping an eye on the latest tourism news and regional updates. This report’s implications touch on destinations, activities, water and lake experiences, fishing and broader destination management as Bhutan positions itself for sustainable, inclusive growth.