February 24, 2010 

The government and tourism stakeholders will consult each other frequently to dispel what the prime minister described were “doubts and suspicions” that could thwart meaningful partnership.  

Meeting on Wednesday, the industry agreed to the prime minister’s proposal for increased interactions between the two, the government through the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) and the industry’s players through their respective associations.  

Henceforth, the TCB will mandatorily meet with the associations - representing hoteliers, tour operators, handicrafts and others like culture and entertainment industries - once every six months. On top of that, a general meeting will be held once a year on a predetermined date.  

Should additional meetings be required, the associations will write to the TCB.Many stakeholders said that the government had not consulted the industry when coming up with an executive order for liberalization last year. As a result, they had no proper understanding of the policy and its implications.   

Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley said that one consultation had already taken place with the government represented by the minister of economic affairs, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk. Even the meeting on Wednesday, this week, was called for by the government.  

He explained that rather than play up with misgivings through the media, both the government and the stakeholders have the responsibility of taking the first step to initiate the consultation process. “Transparency should not be one-sided, it is a two-way process,” he said. “We have to speak to each other, doubts and suspicions only breed contempt.” 

The prime minister reiterated that progress cannot be achieved through policies alone but by working together, bring frank and engaging in a genuine dialogue. “Through interactions we can analyze the issues and generate wisdom,” he said.  “This is your industry. We have to trust and respect each other, and if we do so we will find solutions.”