Customisation: Key to hospitality
Sibi Mathew, General Manager, Taj Tashi Thimphu, says that new experiences have become an integral part of guests' demands and identifies customisation and efficiency to be the most sought-after qualities in Bhutan's hospitality industry.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) is increasing its efforts to promote the kingdom's offerings by actively participating in international trade fairs and organising roadshows in key source markets, informs Namgay Wangmo, Marketing Manager for Regional Market, TCB. With the intention of making Bhutan's tourism products well-known in the international markets, Wangmo says that TCB will be participating in events like ITB- Berlin, JATA, SATTE, OTM and few other travel fairs. "We will also be organising seminars, roadshows and other tourism events in some of our major source markets," she says.
Eco-tourism, culture and heritage, festival tourism, adventure and sports tourism, are some of the country's most popular products. While spiritual tourism has always been sought-after, wellness tourism is also catching up in the industry with several high-end properties providing services for wellbeing. “With the introduction of helicopter services, helicopter tours have become quite popular as well,” Wangmo reveals, adding that homestays are a popular option with travellers as it gives them a oneon-one experience in the daily lives of the Bhutanese.
Bhutan's top five source markets are India, China, the U.S., Thailand and the U.K, she reveals.
Located in the capital city of Thimpu, Taj Tashi embodies the very essence of Bhutanese traditions in its architecture in a contemporary setting. The property comprises a total of 66 rooms and suites, the Jiva Spa, two restaurants, a bar and a tea lounge, in addition is a 2,700 square feet conference hall with a capacity of 300 guests in theatre style and 150 guests in sit-down style seating, among other amenities, informs Mathew.
"India has remained the number one source market for Taj Tashi followed by USA and China," he informs. "Figures from Tourism Council of Bhutan show a total of 99,709 tourist arrivals as of August 31, 2015, of which 32,877 were international visitors and 66,832 regional visitors. Visitors from India, Maldives and Bangladesh are considered as regional tourists. Regional tourist arrivals continued to increase this year, as of August 31, regional tourists recorded an increase of 77.25 percent compared to the same period last year." In 2014, Bhutan received 133,000 tourists in total, out of which 68,000 were Indians, comprising 51 per cent of the total tourist arrivals. Mathew further says that the addition of Bhutan Airlines flights from Delhi to Paro observed upsurge in flow of tourists from India last year.
Addressing trends in the hospitality industry in Bhutan, Mathew says that guests now in the F&B space, customers are driven less by brand loyalty and more by the search for novelty," he shares. Mathew also comments that hotels are becoming more efficient and customisable with services. "We have observed that a lot of the restaurants are dumping the concept of scrambling for clean menus while hotels are getting rid of chemicals and additive items in their menus. Customisation being the key into unconventional spaces for guests to unwind and network in a better manner."
Mathew also highlights the country's increasing popularity for MICE and shares, "Of late, Bhutan has gained popularity to host meetings and conferences as it serves well as an offsite destination with unique experiences like river side picnics, rafting and short mountain hikes."