Tourism Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2022 II

The most effective crowd control strategy is when you plan an exit point when the mayhem breaks out - it is not through shepherding the crowd. Similarly, popular rules and regulations are those that are framed in consultation with those who will be most affected by them - not by springing them as a surprise, as if to say - GOTCHA!!!.

The diminishing allure of the land of GNH

The premise on which the TCB appears to be departing is that the tourism stakeholders are the enemy of the nation; that the tour operators are out to ruin this country. If this were not so, why are the flag-bearers of the tourism industry kept in the dark? Why are the tourism rules and regulations done in great secrecy, in the most clandestine fashion?

When Bhutan’s Constitution was drafted and due to be adopted upon introduction of constitutional monarchy as the form of governance, it was discussed across the nation - their Majesty’s traveled to every one of the country’s twenty Districts - sought the views and opinions of the Bhutanese people, so that an acceptable Constitution that has the concurrence and endorsement of the people of Bhutan is adopted. On the contrary, the TCB chose to draft the Tourism Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2022 in the most clandestine fashion and in the greatest of secrecy - shielded and fortified from the industry players.

The country’s most able and competent industry leaders feel that there is now an atmosphere of antagonism prevailing in the industry. One pioneering tour operator who has been in the business for close to four decades told me the following yesterday evening:

“People who where not even born when I started tourism business are now elected to assess my competence as a tour operator”.

The message here is clear - a feeling is developing that TCB treats the industry leaders as small kids who need education in how to run their business. Such exasperation is bound to create an atmosphere where the TCB and the tourism industry players are pushed towards two opposite ends of the pole - a most undesirable development.

And yet, the industry leaders have not given up hope - the leaders of the tourism sector associations are still hopeful of saving the day - a few days back they submitted a joint appeal to the Chair of the TCB - for an eyeball-to-eyeball discussion on the proposed Tourism Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2022 before it is adopted. It is hoped that this will come through and an acceptable version of the rules and regulations will come to be tabled before the Tourism Council Board, for submission to the Cabinet, which is the rule of procedure.

There are many, many issues with the rules proposed by the TCB. But the following are some of the most unimaginative and most glaring that needs reconsideration.

TCB’s guidelines on adopting names of tour companies

This is clearly an indication of how ignorant the TCB is. This is not in their domain. This comes under the purview of the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. They have trained intellectual property lawyers with the knowledge and experience in these matters - they have a set of rules governing the issue. TCB is attempting to override the authority of the designated authorities.

Refund Policy on cancelled tours

The TCB has taken on itself the responsibility to determine the rates of refund on cancelled tours. While the TCB can point out that there ought to be a well-defined refund policy to avoid ambiguity, the rates should be left to the service providers and the tourists to decide. The TCB has to remember that most often the rates are agreed between the tourists and the tour operators’ agents abroad – they may have their own refund policy - distinct from the TCB’s.

Transport for use as conveyance for the visiting tourists

Here too the TCB has the bull by the tail. But the issue has been sufficiently covered in my earlier post on the issue.

Deposit sought by the TCB from tour operators and the hoteliers

The TCB should have asked for Nu.5,000,000.00 instead of Nu.500,000.00 - pun intended. This requirement is indicative of how insensitive and uncaring the TCB is towards the industry. They are aware that the tourism business has been at a stand still for the past nearly three years. There has been no income. The hoteliers are pleading with their creditors for deferment of loan repayments. Where are the people expected to come up with the deposits?

The government, which includes the TCB, needs to remember that the common people do not have the luxury that they have - to dip into public funds, as and when they want and desire. The Ministers, Secretaries, Director Generals and even the office peons have the assurance of their salaries, pool vehicles, free fuel and their perks that help keep them afloat - even in situations of worst pandemics, and even while they are designing the most idiotic rules and regulations.

The general public, by contrast, is dependent on the competence and wisdom of the people at the helm of things. When they fail, we are bound to fail. Thus it is for this reason that the public seeks engagement, not as an act of affront - but as a means to arriving at amicable solutions to a common cause.