India’s northeastern region especially the Himalayan region is more optimistic towards a boost in business as its adjacent country Bhutan has been named as the best country to visit in 2020 above England and North Macedonia, in the Lonely Planet’s travel guide book, ‘Best in Travel 2020.’
The ‘Best in Travel 2020’ highlights the top 10 countries, cities, regions and best value destinations among near 200 countries.
Bhutan annually receives around 1.5 lakh visitors. Out of it, nearly 50 thousand coming from non SAARC countries. employment creation amongst others. A total of 274,097 foreign individuals visited Bhutan in 2018 which is an increase of 7.61% over 2017. International leisure arrivals grew by 1.76 per cent to 63,367 over 2017 while arrivals from the regional market grew by 10.37 per cent resulting in increasing arrivals annually.
When it comes to sustainability, being the first carbon-negative country in the world, the country leads the pack, according to Lonely Planet. “Its sustainability efforts are extraordinary. Bhutan is set to become the first fully organic nation.”
TCB’s media
spokesperson, Damcho Rinzin, said that Bhutan being recognised as the best
country to visit in 2020 out of 195 countries was an honour. This ranking
will help to increase foreign tourist arrival(FTA) to Bhutan.
According to Samrat Sanyal ,the General
Secretary of Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network, “It will
also bring a newer vista for us in the entire Eastern Himalayan region
including Darjeeling, Sikkim or North East India,” He said near about 30% of visitors to Bhutan
from outside world prefer keeping adjacent eastern Indian destinations like
Darjeeling or Sikkim in their itinerary. So ultimately, any eastern India will
be a beneficiary of Bhutan’s increased FTA.
As said by Veteran tourism advisor Aditya Bothra,
“Number of tourists from Europe and American continent to Darjeeling or Sikkim
is much lower compared to Britishers. But Bhutan gets good mix of all of them. So
increase in FTA there can significantly benefit Indian tour operators too.”
