Page 55 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL6

THE BEAUTY OF BHUTANA Himalayan kingdom has preserved its cultureand traditions by emphasizing happiness over profit and making it a difficult country to visit. A new Thai-owned hotel in Paro makes it easySlowly but steadily, however, Bhutan has welcomed foreign investors from various industries, especially tourism, which is still the country’s main source of incomeWith technology, the world has become smaller and more travelled. But there are a few places that are still unique and a real privilege to visit. One of them is Bhutan, the untouched Shangri-la nestled in the Himalayan rangewhere unique culture, traditions and way of life remain pristine.Bhutan is considered one of the world’s top travel destinations, but very few make it. This is because of relatively strict visa regulations for tourists, requiring a minimum daily spend of US$200 per person, and its unique rocky terrain that only a handful of airlines have permission to navigate. When Bhutan opened for tourism in 1974 after centuries of isolation, the government adopted a cautious approach to avoid the negative impacts that mass tourism can have on a small country. This consistent tourism policy of high value, low impact has helped the kingdom preserve its rich culture. It still represents a mystical destination for those seeking a journey back in time, and visitors step into a vibrant culture still alive in dance and song, festivals and legends, art and architecture, all in a pristine natural setting of majestic mountains and lushvalleys.Some 80,000 to 90,000 visitors venture to Bhutan every year to immersethemselves in natural and cultural heritage unspoiled by globalization. Today Bhutan is a fine example of sustainable ecotourism, inspired by its unique development philosophy: Gross National Happiness. The national policy of high value, low volume tourism asks every visitor to be sensitive to a society that is trying to preserve the best of its past in a rapidly changing world.The country has 20 virgin peaks that are more than 7,000 metres high; mountaineering was closed in the late 1970s when the nomadic herders living on mountain slopes protested in parliament that their sacred mountains were being exploited. This is an example of Bhutan’s courageous policy to foster happiness over material gain.Slowly but steadily, however, Bhutan has welcomed foreign investors from various industries, especially tourism, which is still the country’s main source of income. One of the higher-end hotels operated by foreigners isElite+ 53