The fee is said to have been imposed due to law and order problems in Bhutan and disrespect for local customs and traditions. Bhutan has decided to reduce the number of tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives.

Last November, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Tandi Darjee spoke with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar about the country’s new draft tourism policy in New Delhi.

Currently, except for citizens of Bangladesh, India and Maldives, all foreign tourists in Bhutan have to pay 250 US dollars (about 21,500 taka) in the peak season and 200 US dollars (about 17,000 taka) in the off season. The off season in Bhutan is the winter season from December to February and the monsoon season from June to August.

This includes the cost of accommodation, travel within Bhutan, the cost of a tourist guide and the cost of non-alcoholic drinks and entrance fees. Out of which, the stable development sector has a daily charge of 65 dollars (five and a half thousand taka). The cost of tourist visa is also taken into account.

Apart from this, if a tourist travels alone, an additional surcharge of 40 US dollars (about three and a half thousand taka) and if two or more travel together, they have to pay an additional surcharge of 30 dollars (two and a half thousand taka) per head.

In other words, all expenses are covered except travel to and from Bhutan, shopping there and gratuity. However, tourists from India, Bangladesh and Maldives as regional countries do not have to pay this cost.

Citizens of these three countries do not require a visa to visit Bhutan and are not subject to the minimum spend of $200 or $250. As a result, tourists can decide their own travel budget, make their own accommodation arrangements.

According to the travel portal Lonely Planet, a one-night stay at a budget hotel in Thimphu costs between $20 and $40, while a meal at a restaurant costs between seven and $15. According to Lonely Planet, high-end hotels cost between $500 and $1,750.