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Bhutan Airlines signs lease agreement with AerCap. Bhutan Airlines will lease two aircrafts from AerCap, a global aircraft leasing company and replace its existing fleet by mid of next year. To formalise the deal, the Bhutan Airlines signed lease agreement with AerCap in the capital yesterday. The lease period of the airbus will be four years and commence immediately after Bhutan Airlines receives two aircrafts in June and July, next year. The carrying capacity of each airbus is 120 passengers. Bhutan Airlines reasoned that the replacement has been worked out since the current fleet’s lease period completes by July, next year. “The new fleet will continue for another four years. We also need to now look for better equipment so this is the best equipment we could lease from AerCap,” said Phala Dorji, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of Bhutan Airlines. Officials from AerCap said the two aircrafts that they are going to lease out to Bhutan Airlines comes from a reputed airliner in the United States. “The maintenance of the aircraft has been carried out well. The aircraft was delivered brand new to Frontier Airlines in United States and they have been flying around the United States for the last eight years,” said Senior Vice President of AerCap, Peter Anderson. Bhutan Airlines or Tashi Air Private Limited began its first international flight from Paro to Bangkok in October 2010. The CEO said, the customers’ safety is given utmost importance since its initial operation. “Bhutan Airlines has very good and highly experienced, dedicated professional maintenance engineers. So far, we have done very well in terms of safety and we have also got very excellent safety record, so safety is not much of concern,” added the CEO. “The aircraft leasing companies have also appreciated the way we have maintained the aircraft both in terms of safety and cabin configurations.” The Bhutan Airlines also said the current two fleets are in good condition and can operate flights till their lease period phases out. Presently, the private airline operates daily international flights to four destinations. For domestic flights, it is likely to resume operation from March, 2019. Source: BBS


Government Closing Tibet for 11 days in October. On 12 September 2017, the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa announced that Tibet will be CLOSED to all foreign travelers from 18 October through 28 October. The reason for the closure is that the China Communist Government is holding high level meetings in Lhasa. When these high level government meetings take place in Tibet, the government bans all foreign travelers from being there until the meetings are over. Foreign travelers MUST leave Tibet by 17 October and cannot enter Tibet again until 29 October. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions as this closure is handed down to travel agencies by the highest level of government in China. Travel agencies were not notified about this closure until just yesterday (12 September 2017). It was impossible to know in advance that this closure would happen. Please understand that it is NOT travel agencies that are implementing this closure, but the China Communist Government. I understand that for many of you it may be hard to understand how an entire region like Tibet can simply close to foreign travelers with relatively little advanced notice. However, due to the sensitive nature of Tibet and because it is part of Communist China, these closures do sometimes happen. Bottom line is that Tibet is part of China and China does whatever it wants and doesn’t care that a closure interrupts the travel plans of thousands of people. Travel agencies cannot be held to blame for this as they must follow the orders of the government or risk getting huge fines and losing their business licenses. Travel agencies are just as frustrated as travelers are regarding the closure. Nearly all travel agencies in Tibet will lose considerable money because of this closure so again, please understand that it is not the travel agencies who are to blame for the October closure. Source: http://www.thelandofsnows.com/tibet-closed-in-october/


Bhutan most peaceful in the region: GPI.Bhutan is the most peaceful country in South Asia according to the latest Global Peace Index report 2017. Founder and Executive Chairman of the international think-tank Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Steve Killelea, launched the report at the Centre for Bhutan Studies and GNH Research in Thimphu yesterday. Steve Killelea said Bhutan made steady progress to rank 13th out of 163 countries in GPI 2017, jumping 10 places in the past seven years. The GPI has 23 indicators clubbed under three domains of ongoing conflict both international and local, internal safety and security, and levels of militarisation. On the GPI, Bhutan is one of the more fascinating countries, he said. The most interesting factor for Bhutan is although the country has a low or USD 500 per capita income, it has managed to create peace better than the top 20 countries in the GPI that have more than USD 10,000 per capita income per annum. “There is something about Bhutan, because with small amount of resources it has got it is able to produce peace beyond any other nation in the world,” Steve Killelea said. In the long term, Bhutan has to focus on the factors that actually create peaceful society like on levels of corruption, functioning of government and equitable distribution of resources so that there is conducive environment for peace. The GPI report states that Bhutan experienced a slight deterioration in peace, despite improvements in the indicators measuring UN peacekeeping funding and the number of IDPs. Bhutan’s economic impact of violence was cost equivalent to six per cent of the country’s 2016 GDP. The economic impact of violence decreased by six percent from 2015 to 2016. South Asia hosts some countries as peaceful as Bhutan yet there are some of the least peaceful countries in the world such as Pakistan (152nd) and Afghanistan (162nd). Sri Lanka is five places below Bhutan. Pakistan improved this year. Nepal and Afghanistan experience slight deterioration. In Nepal, a high level of political instability is partly to blame for the slow progress in rebuilding efforts after the devastating earthquake of 2015. Afghanistan’s overall score deteriorated for the sixth successive year as overall hostility continued to increase. The world became a more peaceful place in 2017 according to figures released yesterday. Since last year, 93 countries recorded higher levels of peace, while 68 deteriorated, resulting in an improvement in world peace. The improvement was mainly driven by lower levels of state-sponsored terror – extra-judicial killings and torture – and the prior withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan. The report captures the impact of political polarisation in the US stemming from the divisive 2016 Presidential elections. Despite improvements in Canada, the growing intensity of internal conflict, increase in terrorism and higher perceptions of criminality saw the US fall 11 places to 114th. North America recorded the largest drop of any region. Steve Killelea said, “While the true extent of the significant political polarity in the US will take years to be fully realised, its disruptive influence is already evident.” The report also analyses the rise of populism through the lens of Positive Peace – a measure of the attitudes, structures and institutions that sustain peace. The sharp increase in support for populist parties in the past decade closely corresponds with deteriorations in Positive Peace, with some of the largest falls recorded in Italy, France and Spain. Steve Killelea added: “The increasing role of populist parties in mainstream European politics is reflected against a backdrop of deteriorating Positive Peace, specifically in terms of persistent challenges to the free flow of information, levels of corruption and acceptance of the rights of others. Without addressing these underlying drivers of peace it will not be possible to build more peaceful societies.” Iceland maintained its position as the world’s most peaceful country, a title it has held onto since 2008. New Zealand and Portugal replace Denmark and Austria in second and third position. Steve Killelea said: “Although this year’s uptick is reassuring, the world is still mired with conflict in the Middle East, political turmoil in the US, refugee flows and terrorism in Europe. When combined with the increasing level of peace inequality, whereby the least peaceful countries are moving further apart from the most peaceful, the resulting scenario is one in which further improvements in peace are not guaranteed.” Source: BBS


Central bank launches notes exchange facility. The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) launched the facility for exchange of mutilated and burnt ngultrum notes with fresh ones in Phuentshogling today. The service, aimed to help people in southern Dzongkhags, will now be available from RMA’s regional office in Phuentshogling. According to the RMA’s Governor, Dasho Penjore, people prefer fresh notes during religious ceremonies and while performing rituals. He therefore said the services will greatly benefit the people while helping preserve the currencies. “We do not want currencies to remain idle and unusable in the market,” said Dasho Penjore. “Burnt and mutilated notes may therefore hinder the economic growth. So we are providing the facility to exchange it which will help the people as well as the central bank.” The Governor added that all the currencies issued are recorded and that the growth in economy can be derived from the use of currencies. “We therefore expect people to use currencies and contribute to the economy.” People can also purchase various gold and silver commemorative coins to celebrate His Majesty The fourth Druk Gyalpo’s sixtieth birthday and The Royal Wedding from the counter. Source: BBS
Regional tourism council office to be established in east. The government will establish a regional tourism council office in the east as part of its efforts to promote tourism in the six eastern dzongkhags. The Prime Minister announced this in the Parliament today as he presented the annual State of the Nation Report. Lyonchhen also said that the government will ensure that tourism grows in the east after the completion of the Yongphula domestic airport and introduction of helicopter services. The Prime Minister said that the widening of the east-west highway would help in the growth and promotion of tourism in the eastern dzongkhags.Lyonchhen said the government is also encouraging people to build hotels and facilities in the east. He also shared that several new trekking paths and trails have been opened.“To promote tourism in the east, the government has decided to waive off the sustainable development fee for the tourists visiting the six eastern dzongkhags,” said Lyonchhen.“The government is also coming up with a tourism policy that will improve quality of tourism, increase tourism in the east, manage regional tourists and encourage domestic tourists,” added Lyonchhen. Bhutan saw a total of 62,733 international tourists last year, which earned the country Nu 4.719b in revenue. In terms of regional tourists, the figure saw a big increase from 97,584 in 2015 to 1,46,797 in 2016. The number of TCB certified hotels also doubled from 62 to 116, which Lyonchhen said is an indication of success in the country’s tourism. Source: BBS

7th International Conference on Gross National Happiness: “GNH of Business”, 7 -9 November 2017. The Centre for Bhutan Studies & Gross National Happiness (CBS & GNH) is pleased to announce the 7th International Conference on Gross National Happiness on a theme: “GNH of Business”. It will be held from 7 to 9 November 2017 in Thimphu, Bhutan, to commemorate the 62nd Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the architect of GNH. The idea of aligning business towards GNH was proposed by His Excellency Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, in his opening address to the 6th International Conference on Gross National Happiness held in 2015, Paro, Bhutan. The Hon’ble Prime Minister mentioned that the current business practices over-emphasizes profit maximization and increasing the share value with little concern for the health of local environment and community wellbeing. He emphasized that companies will have to take GNH seriously to make their business respectful and add value to the society. This additional responsibility will help create a green economy based on sustainable competitiveness. In addition to profit, GNH businesses must enhance the social wellbeing. Companies must undergo a transformation in how they think, perform and re-define development of products and services that also contribute to the society. So far GNH’s influence in Bhutan is restricted to government and bureaucracy while the business sector has been largely ill informed of the GNH principles and what it would mean in integrating GNH. Achieving GNH will require incorporating GNH values into government system and business sector. To realize this objective, this conference on “GNH of Business” will explore ways to create conditions for achieving GNH in businesses. In addition to presenting concrete policy, frameworks, institutions and measures to promote GNH as a value in companies, the conference will discuss assessment of GNH and implementation issues across the business sector. The Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH is currently developing a GNH certification framework for businesses in Bhutan. The result will be presented during the conference. We welcome academics, scholars, researchers, practitioners, businessmen, entrepreneurs, civil society and policy makers to express your interest and submit an abstract of 300 words length to Ms. Chhimi Dem at cdem@bhutanstudies.org.bt, * The conference dates have been changed since 10 November will be a public holiday in Bhutan. Important Dates Last date for submitting abstract : 14 August 2017 Last date of registration :15 September 2017 Last date for submitting the final papers : 31 October 2017


Tourism is good but is also has bad effect on people. Led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Tanasak Patimapragorn, a delegation from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the country from June 7-10 for the Thailand – Bhutan festival. Kuensel’s Dechen Tshomo spoke to the governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand Yuthasak Supasorn about the festival.

Excerpts

1. What is the purpose of the delegation’s visit?

The Thai delegation is in the country to attend the first Thailand-Bhutan festival that will be held at the Bhutan Youth Development Fund’s multipurpose hall in Thimphu from June 9 to 11. The festival is organised to celebrate the friendship and goodwill between the two kingdoms. We are also here to promote mutual cooperation between the two countries. A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will also be signed between Tourism Authority of Thailand and Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) to promote tourism in the two kingdoms. There is already a minute of meetings signed between the representatives of TAT and TCB. The signing of the MoU will formalise the agreement.

2. How do you see the relation between both the countries?

We have many things in common. I can feel the warmth of the Bhutanese people and that is one thing common between the two countries. We can extend our relationships to many areas. We have cooperated in many areas and the MoU is the starting point to further diplomatic relation between the two countries. TAT in particular provides many project and initiatives for Bhutanese like human resource development in terms of marketing for TCB. We want to exchange the experiences in order to sustain the growth of the tourism industry in Bhutan.

3. What makes Thailand a popular destination to tourists?

Hospitality is the key factor. We develop products that serve a variety of needs to many people around the world. Food is one. We have more than 6,000 hotels so that is the potential people can access Thailand. We welcome anyone wanting to visit Thailand.

4. How many Bhutanese visit Thailand and how many Thais visit Bhutan every year?

About 22,000 Bhutanese visit Thailand and some 4,000 Thai tourists visit Bhutan every year. Both countries can work together on how to increase the number of tourists visiting both the countries. Most Bhutanese come to Thailand for leisure and some for medical reason. We want to increase the number of Bhutanese coming to Thailand because Bhutanese are one of the potential customers in tourism.

5. How can Thailand and Bhutan work together in promoting tourism?

We want to change the perception of the people about Thailand. People perceive Thailand as a cheap destination. We want people to see our country as a quality leisure destination. We want people to not only see the places in Thailand but also explore and experience the country like locals. For instance, Thai boxing is becoming popular as an exercise and those interested in Thai boxing can practice. If we serve the tourists’ needs and make their stay a beautiful experience, then people will spend more in the country. This is what we are focusing now. Thailand is pleased to help Bhutan and Bhutan can learn from Thailand’s experiences. Small is beautiful and Bhutan doesn’t need mass people to visit the country. The most important is how to keep your tradition alive, the way of your life alive and preserve your beautiful landscape. Tourism is good but is also has bad effect on the people. We want high volume but low negative impact on the people.

Source: Kuensel.


South Asian Olympic Council meets in Thimphu. A two-day meeting of the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) began in Thimphu yesterday. The Presidents and Secretary Generals from the South Asian Olympic Committees of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are attending the meeting. All delegates are in the country for the first time, a press release from the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) stated. “This is also the first time that the South Asian Olympic Council has representatives from all South Asian countries present,” it stated. Education Minister Norbu Wangchuk inaugurated the meeting in the presence of His Majesty’s Representative and the President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck. Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuck said Bhutan hosted the first South Asian Olympic Council meeting in Thimphu in December 2005. “It has been 12 long years since and most Presidents and Secretary Generals of the South Asian Olympic Committees have changed,” he said. “However, what has not changed is our commitment, our energy and our zeal, to promote sports in our region.” Lyonpo also said that the government and the BOC are working to make Bhutan a sporting country. “We are committed to make sports a part of our daily lives by putting in place an enabling environment for the overall development of sports,” he said. “An important step towards this aspiration is the development of a National Sports Policy and the cabinet has recently commissioned the development of the policy that will provide the strategic direction and bring together all actors in making Bhutan a sporting nation.” The SAOC meeting discussed various issues related to the development of sports in the region, the press release stated. It also looked at finalising revisions to the constitution of the SAOC and the dates and events for the next games to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2019.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino of Japan arrived in Bhutan today. Her Royal Highness Princess Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck received Her Imperial Highness at the Paro International Airport. Her Imperial Highness is visiting Bhutan on the invitation of His Majesty from June 1 to 7. Princess Mako, 25, is the eldest grand-daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. While in the country, Her Imperial Highness will grace the opening of the third Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition at the National Memorial Choeten in Thimphu.
“100% organic country” policy, to save the future of sustainable agriculture, our health and the cultural values implicate in the human mission to care for the Earth
Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako witnessed a traditional archery game and participated in a khuru (traditional dart game) and archery demonstration this morning at the Changlimethang Ground. The event was hosted by the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association (BIGSA). Princess Mako was beautifully attired in a traditional full Kira.
Highness Princess Mako trekked today to Paro Taktshang monastery. Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako trekked today to Paro Taktshang monastery which is perched on the mountainside at 3,000 metres above the sea level. The princess arrived in Paro on Sunday for two-day royal excursions. On the first day, she visited Kyichu Lhakhang and offered a butter lamp.Yesterday, Princess Mako made a royal visit to the Nishioka Museum at the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited. The museum displays Dasho Keiji Nishioka’s contribution towards agricultural development in Bhutan.Her Imperial Highness also visited the Nishioka Chorten at the National Seed Centre in Baangdey. The chorten was built in remembrance of Dasho Nishioka who died in 1992. He was fondly called as ‘Japan Sahib’ by Bhutanese people. Princess Mako’s itinerary in Paro also included visits to a farm house in Lamgong Gewog, Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum. She leaves Bhutan tomorrow. Her Imperial Highness arrived in the country on June 1 for seven-day official visit upon the invitation of His Majesty The King. Source: BBS
It is a warm sunny day in Paro. A group of men, women, and children including elders are waiting for a special guest to their village in Lango. It is an important moment for them in Chukha village. They never had such a high profile person walk the dusty trails to their village nestled in the plains along the right bank of Pachhu. Below the road lies a huge expanse of paddy fields that draw irrigation from the canals constructed by Dasho Nishioka in 1987. Paddy was transplanted mechanically with machines and techniques that the late Dasho introduced more than 50 years ago. A former Bondey Farm official, Wangdi who now works in the Paro dzongkhag agriculture sector explains how agriculture benefited from the hard work and commitment of the late Dasho.“Dasho was a kind but strict man,” he said. When the long motorcade finally arrived, the villagers grew jittery. Her Imperial Highness Mako of Akishino of Japan emerged from a car and walked towards the gathering. They bow and the princess responds in similar gesture. Wangdi explains to the Princess about the paddy fields as they walk towards the farmstay, a huge traditional two-storey house, nearby. A farmer, Karma Choden has waited for more than three hours to see the Princess. She said it felt nice that the Princess showed interest in Bhutanese tradition and culture. “Most people choose to built concrete buildings in place of the traditional ones,” she says. Her neighbour Rinzin Dem is awestruck with the Princess. “She was beautiful and looked a like a Bhutanese,” she said. The farm-stay owner Khando Wangmo and family members received the Princess in front of their house. “It was a privilege to receive a princess from such a developed country,” she said. The Princess took keen interest in old household items and asked about many of the contents in the altar room and in the house. The Princess was impressed with preservation of the old things and advised to keep it that way, she said. The family’s ancestral asset of religious scriptures, and other items were also displayed for viewing. The Princess visited the Nishioka Museum at the Farm Machinery Corporation in Bondey in the morning and the National Museum in Paro Tadzong and Paro Dzong where she lit butter lamps. Princess Mako, who is on a seven-day state visit, also watched the final of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Memorial National Championship on traditional bow and played archery and khuru at the Changlimithang on June 3. The 25-year-old Princess wore a kira, Bhutanese costume for women, which her parents, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, received from His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo 20 years ago when they visited Bhutan. His Majesty The King and His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo granted an audience to the Princess during her visit. His Majesty The King also hosted a private luncheon at the Lingkana Palace. The Princess was the special guest at the inaugural of the third Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition on June 4. The Princess will visit Taktshang monastery today and leave for Japan tomorrow. Source: Kuensel online

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