People believe the tourism reform will benefit all the people

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The tourism reform policy of Bhutan, is basically aimed to make Bhutan a high end destination. While time will show if this will happen or not, several people say that Bhutanese will benefit in different ways, beginning from increased earnings to balance in tourism distribution across the country. However, people opine that the government and the Competent Authority need to develop infrastructure and tourism products. 
As the PM said in the National Assembly (NA), while the tourism and allied service sectors like hotels have been major employers, due to lack of skills and any other alternatives, a bulk of people working are underpaid, with some paid based on the minimum wage of the country. Most of these employees are ones without a degree, school drop-outs and those who left their villages, attracted by the Thimphu dream. 
“However, the revised tourism policy provides these employees opportunities to earn more as they would no longer be without any skills. Under the Desuung Skilling Program (DSP) many are being trained in different areas required for the industry. As they have skills, they will definitely be paid more,” Ugyen Tshering from Thimphu said, which would make their lives better.
Ugyen also mentioned that the East-West highway will need to be transformed, if this policy is to be realized. “We enjoy the short ride from Paro to Thimphu. Imagine driving for more than 500 kms with roads better than the Paro-Thimphu highway; eateries on the way and other facilities. It would become a dream journey for many Bhutanese,” he said.
Speaking along the lines of Ugyen, an hotelier said employees are paid based on their skills. “The PM is right. Some are paid Nu 13,000. But there are others who take home Nu 25,000 also. It is basic economics and if an employee is a chef, a barista or with other skills, he or she will definitely be paid more,” he said, adding that he is not running a charity house. “It is business and people should understand that we are not exploiting anyone. And it is also our ardent wish that this policy transformation will make those working in the industry skilled,” he said.     
A corporate employee noted that the policy could finally make Bhutan’s long dream of taking tourism to districts that do not benefit from tourism now. “The entry points have been opened. Infrastructure will need to be developed and improved. Domestic airports are in place. With this policy, we could have tourists who would like to explore the whole of Bhutan using chopper services. The government could increase direct international flights,” he said, adding there are several direct and indirect benefits that Bhutanese would accrue. 
“According to reports from the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), in 2019 the gross earning from Tourism was USD 345.88 million. In the short run the country will need to forgo these benefits. Some people will be affected. But that is a price we need to pay for development, to ensure that Bhutan is not just peaceful but also prosperous,” he said. 
He further underlined that peace and prosperity are like two sides of a coin. “Let us be very frank. How can a person who has to keep worrying about his children’s education for instance live in peace? That is one reason why His Majesty always speaks about a prosperous nation,” he underlined, saying it is the responsibility of the government and the TCB to ensure that everyone benefits from this policy. 
A senior guide who has always been with a family coming to Bhutan every year mentioned that his guests have not been beyond Bumthang. “They are rich and I don’t think this revision will be a concern for them as long as they get something better. For this family, going to Trashiyangtse and Trashigang has been a wish. But the long journey and bad roads always prevented them from going beyond. I hope that infrastructure development is prioritized,” he said, adding the east will then benefit.
Karchung, who worked in a hotel and began driving a cab after the pandemic says even taxi drivers could benefit. “From my understanding, now, it is up-to the tourists to decide if they want a SUV or an ordinary taxi. In order to cut down expenses, even dollar paying tourists, especially the young and those who come alone may ask for a cab to cut costs. Moreover, there will be ones who would like to interact with us,” he said.
Adding to what others had said, a senior guide said the reason for number of tourists returning to Bhutan (visiting again) could be less because there is nothing left for them to see or experience. “This policy provides avenues for developing infrastructure in the east, which will ultimately lead to product diversification as there are many tourists who have never been to the East. People in these regions will benefit, too.” 
He further added that the policy is a very ambitious one, which will require capital investment. “The foreign minister said in the National Assembly that the government is ready. However, we do not know if the minister also meant that the government has sufficient funds or not,” he said.