A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests and the Tourism Council of Bhutan to enter into a partnership to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in the Protected Areas and Government Reserve Forests lands.

The TCB and the MoAF came into an agreement, appreciating the need to diversify and promote sustainable tourism development.  Both the parties felt the importance of coordination and cooperation between them to work together to accomplish the goals of developing tourism products and activities that are mutually beneficial and sustainable in the Protected Areas  and Government Reserve Funds.  This is with the aim not only to enhance economic benefits for the people, but also to promote the protection of our culture and natural heritage.

1.Be in Color or Grayscale.
2.Be a recent photograph (not more than six months old).
3.show you looking directly at the camera. No looking over one shoulder (portrait style).
4.show eyes open and clearly visible. If you wear glasses there should be no flash reflection, no tinted lenses and the frames should not cover any part of your eyes.
5.Be in sharp focus and clear – no shadows.
6.Be clean with no smudge marks. (Note: Photo scanned from passport has smudge marks)

The photograph is the primary form of identification and following these minimum ICAO standards would facilitate proper identification at immigration checks.

If any tour operator requires basic photo editing tutorial, we can conduct a 20 minutes workshop at TCB Conference Hall this weekend (Satuarday, 24th July).

If any Tour Operators have missed the Tashel Online Training, we can also do a crash course on the same day.

Admin

Tashel Online

To this effect, we would like to request all tour operators to kindly fill in accurate details with proper guest photos for your online visa applications. Please bear in mind that once the requested online visas are issued by the Department of Immigration, the changes can only be incorporated through a cancellation process.

We would like to once again thank all tour operators for your continued support, co-operation and the patience rendered during the testing phase.

The TCB Management.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan will be participating in the first Annual Week of Happiness which was organized by the Geschaftsfuhrer Touristik & Kur from the 18^th – 26^th of July, 2010.

This event was organized to inspire the local population and visitors alike about luck and happiness. As Bhutan is known worldwide for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness the organizers had contacted and invited the Tourism Council of BHUTAN to coordinate a team from Bhutan to participate in the event and show case Bhutan and its views on Happiness.

An eight member delegate comprising of an officer each from TCB and Centre for Bhutan Studies along with a Cultural Troupe will be participating in the event.

The team will be carrying out the following activities during the event:

1. GNH Presentation 45 minutes – twice
2. Cultural performance – Daily
3. Travel agent workshop on 24^th of July
4. Several promotional events
5. The planting of tree of happiness in Schoemberg
6. Setting up of stone of happiness with Bhutanese symbols of luck

There has been immense coverage of the event in the local media and will continue throughout the event. A local restaurant will also be offering Bhutanese specialties.

The “Week of Happiness Event” will provide a platform for Bhutan not only to talk about our country but also present an opportunity of promoting it as a tourist destination to the German market and beyond.

For registration please contact:
Mr.Kinley Wangdi, at 323251/2 extension 203 or email kinleywang@tourism.gov.bt

Date: 2nd July 2010

Time:  10:00 am sharp