The Department of Tourism Bhutan successfully concluded its inaugural Indian Tourism Roadshow, held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of tourism in the Kingdom and to boost summer arrivals. The roadshow, conducted from June 17-21, 2024, spanned four major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.
The events witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 600 companies and 700 Indian travel agents in attendance. A diverse group of 18 Bhutanese exhibitors, including leading tour operators, hotels and airlines showcased exclusive offers, packages, and promotions designed to attract Indian travellers.
The roadshow provided a unique platform for Bhutanese exhibitors to engage directly with Indian travel professionals, fostering stronger partnerships and creating new opportunities for tourism growth. As Bhutan marks this significant milestone, the Kingdom remains committed to enhancing its tourism experiences and welcoming more visitors from India and beyond.
Since 1974, when Bhutan first opened tourism to the world, India has been one of Bhutan’s most significant source markets. The exclusive events provided a platform for travel industry buyers and sellers to engage in fruitful discussions to explore exciting business opportunities and plan unforgettable experiences in Bhutan. Bhutan has emerged as one of the top destinations for Indian travellers, especially during the summer months. In fact, in May 2024, 19,212 Indian travellers visited Bhutan, a 100 per cent increase over the April and May months.
Carissa Nimah, Chief Marketing Officer Bhutan Tourism said, “We are thrilled with the success of our first ever Indian Tourism Roadshow. The enthusiastic participation from Indian travel agents and the many positive interactions with our Bhutanese exhibitors underscore the strong interest in Bhutan as a travel destination. This roadshow not only celebrates 50 years of tourism in Bhutan but also strengthens our commitment to fostering deeper connections with our neighbouring market. We look forward to welcoming more Indian visitors to experience the unique beauty and culture of our Kingdom.
“The Bhutan tourism roadshow was outstanding, offering me valuable opportunities to meet excellent partners and gain deeper insights into this beautiful destination. The presentations and information given by all partners were incredibly insightful, providing a comprehensive understanding of Bhutan’s unique attractions and tourism potential. Bhutan is just an hour flight from Kolkata, and being so close, I look forward to sending more passengers,” said Neha Jain, CEO, Spectrum Holidays.
“Thank you Team Bhutan Tourism for bringing and arranging the networking roadshow in four major cities of India. It is a great initiative …The participation of so many stakeholders from Bhutan is a testimony to the potential of the Indian Outbound Travel and the interest in Bhutan to tap this market. This road show gives us as an Indian Operator a lot of confidence in promoting Bhutan as an destination and will go a long way in fostering great relationship between the stakeholders and opportunity to market it. Thank you once again to Bhutan Tourism and the team on ground for this wonderful networking opportunity created to showcase the happiest country! Kadrin Cheyla,” Mahendra Vakharia and Maitreyee Patel, Co-founders, Pathfinders Holidays, Ahmedabad.
