With the Bhutan Innovation Forum just around the corner, hotels and tourism-related businesses in Paro are gearing up for a surge in visitors and economic activity. The forum, scheduled for next month, is expected to draw participants from diverse industries, including technology, tourism, and business, making it a major event for the country.
The Bhutan Innovation Forum is expected to attract over a thousand participants, both local and international to Paro. Hotels are preparing for a surge in bookings, with many already reporting reservations from the attendees.
Most hotel bookings are made through agents or the Department of Tourism’s website, while DHI, the event organiser, is managing logistics for speakers and special guests.
According to sources, most of Paro’s star-rated hotels are fully booked for the forum. Hoteliers see this as an opportunity to showcase Bhutan’s cultural heritage and promote their hospitality to a global audience.
“We are excited that many high-end guests are visiting Bhutan and staying in our hotels. When these high-end guests post on their social media about their visit to our country that will encourage their fans and followers to visit us too. There is vast difference in us marketing and them sharing their experience on social media platform to market our country,” said Sonam Dorji, general manager at Tashi Namgay Resort.
“I think this forum will have a lasting impact on our tourism industry because many people will get to know about our country. I learned that most of the guest speakers and participants are leaders and social influencers which means our country will be highlighted for a few days, reaching many audiences. This will only increase the tourism inflow,” said Sonam, general manager at Hotel Sangayling.
Meanwhile, a few star-rated hotels have yet to receive any bookings for the event.
“We met with the logistics team and they assured us that every hotel would receive guests. However, some of us still haven’t got any bookings. We have been holding reservations for those dates, waiting for bookings from the forum. It would be helpful if we could get advance notice on whether we should keep waiting or not,” said Chenga Tshering, hotelier, Hotel Ratna Vara.
“There are five to six three-star hotels in the town area, most of which have karaoke facilities. During the meeting with the district officials, we mentioned that we would close the karaoke to prioritise the guests from the forum, if given any. We also offered to coordinate with the police for security during that time. However, we haven’t received any updates or bookings yet,” said Sonam, general manager, Hotel Sangayling.
Handicraft sector, one of the key players of the tourism industry, is also preparing to welcome the guests.
“We struggled a lot during the pandemic but things are finally improving. Events like this, which bring in any guests will benefit everyone in the tourism industry. I am planning to design more necklaces and earings and expand my collection of paintings and crafts for the upcoming visitors,” said Pasang Wangmo, owner of Arts and Textile Handicrafts.
“Lately, we have kept ourselves busy by reorganising the products. We got new display furniture to showcase our items and did a thorough cleaning and are now almost ready,” said Renuka Mongar, salesperson at Handicrafts.
Some businesses, speaking off-camera, recommended scheduling such forums in the future during the off-season to offer better service and accommodation options.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sonam Pem
