Wow Bhutan

Recession hits Bhutan’s tourism industry

THIMPHU: Global meltdown has hit Bhutan's all-important tourism sector and tour operators have sought special measures from the government to deal with the crisis. The Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) has said that over 1,500 tourists have cancelled their proposed trip to the country in 2009 following the financial crunch. “More bad news may be in store. Even the ones coming in do not or will not stay long,'' ABTO General Secretary Sonam Dorji said. ABTO is requesting “in...

John McCain visits Bhutan, gives tips on democracy

John McCain visited the world's youngest democracy on Thursday, one month after he lost the race to lead the world's oldest. McCain stopped in Bhutan, a tiny Buddhist kingdom nestled high in the Himalayas between IJohn McCain visited Bhutan on Thursdayndia and China, while on a tour of South Asia. He was joined by Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, two frequent companions during his campaign for president. Bhutan, known for its unique index...

New Bhutan tours added at Uma Paro

Como Hotels and Resorts have introduced two new itineraries to travel Bhutan with Uma Paro. The new packages include a multi-activity adventure which involves biking, hiking, high altitude golf, overnight camping and whitewater rafting, with the other focusing on photographic adventures. The outdoor playground of Uma Paro is a unique setting for adventure seekers who enjoy outdoor tourism. From bustling markets to mountain passes strewn with prayer flags, from happy monks in maroon ...

2nd largest park inaugurated

It was a tribute to the Wangchuck dynasty for a century of visionary leadership in conservation of Bhutan’s rich natural heritage. And for once, it was the only protected area comprising of all four national symbols-flower, animal, tree and bird. Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley inaugurated the second largest protected area in the country, Wangchuck Centenary Park (WCP) in Nasiphel village of Choekhar gewog, Bumthang on December 12. Covering about 3,736 km sq of north-central...

Interim gup election off, incumbents extended

After a timely intervention by His Majesty the King and members of the National Council, Bhutan will not witness an interim gup election in December, instead the terms for the incumbent gups will be extended until the local government elections in 2008. Observers reason that His Majesty’s suggestion through the royal Kasho on December 9 and the National Council members’ report to His Majesty, the prime minister and the National Assembly speaker, were timely because some gewogs were set to hol...

Nepal humble Bhutan

Nepali bowlers showed the same discipline that won them their previous match against Malaysia to take Nepal to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over lowly Bhutan in the ACC U-19 Women's Cricket Tournament, at Gym Khana ground, on Sunday. Batting first, Bhutan batted the allotted 25 overs losing nine wickets. Thanks to Sonu Khadka's excellent bowling, Nepal restricted Bhutan to 34 runs. In reply, Nepal completed the chase in 9.3 overs losing just a wicket. Opener Maya Rawat posted an u...

Bhutanese refugees tell dark side of Himalayan kingdom

If Canadians know anything about Bhutan, it likely revolves around the tiny Himalayan nation's seemingly enlightened monarchs, often praised for ushering in democracy and championing a state-sponsored philosophy dubbed Gross National Happiness. But this week, the first of 5,000 refugees from Bhutan arrived in Canada, offering a reminder of the dark side of the country's recent history. The refugees -- ethnic Nepalese and mostly Hindu -- were effectively forced out of Bhutan by that same, Budd...

Sick steel industries seek cash transfusion

The cries of the Pasakha steel factories for rescue after the Wall Street crisis hit them with mounting losses has prompted the minister of economic affairs Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk to drive down south this week to assess the situation for himself. The steel factory owners are seeing this as indicative of the government’s willingness to help. But the minister has not given away anything yet, only that they submit a “report” to the government. The owners says that they are in desperate need of w...

India to import 5,000 Mw power from Bhutan

The country will import 5,000 Mw of power from neighbouring nation Bhutan by 2020, Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh told Lok Sabha today. "As per the agreement with Royal Government of Bhutan, our government has agreed to import 5,000 Mw electricity by 2020," Ramesh said in a written reply. Further, Ramesh said that several initiatives have been taken by the government to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the power sector. The government has approved 100 per cent F...

A Historic Year for Reclusive Bhutan

In 2008, the traditionally reclusive nation of Bhutan opened its doors a bit wider to the world, but vowed to protect its traditional values by exercising caution regarding the negative influences of globalization. Bhutan held its first democratic elections in March for a new parliament and prime minister—over a year after King Jigme Singye Wangchuk willfully abdicated the throne to his son, ordered an end to absolute royal rule, and transitioned the country towards a constitutional monarchy....