Oriental Vacations and Journeys Pvt. Ltd., successfully organized a prestigious Familiarization (FAM) trip to Bhutan from December 24-29, 2005, to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The initiative, aimed at fostering closer ties between India and Bhutan’s tourism sectors, was attended by prominent Indian inbound tour operators and received widespread media coverage from Bhutanese outlets, underscoring the importance of the event.
The FAM trip, conducted under the leadership of Dr. Manoj Matta, was supported by the Department of Tourism, MoICE, Royal Government of Bhutan, Bhutan Airlines, and an array of hospitality partners, including Le Méridien Thimphu, IHCL SeleQtions Yarkay Thimphu, Postcard Dewa Thimphu, and more. The thoughtfully curated itinerary covered key Bhutanese destinations such as Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, and Haa Valley, providing participants with an immersive experience of Bhutan’s sustainable, premium, and experiential tourism offerings.
The participants, a select group of leading Indian inbound tour operators, had the opportunity to visit over 25 hotels across various categories, from three-star to luxury resorts. The tour also included visits to some of Bhutan’s most iconic attractions, including the Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery), Buddha Dordenma, Punakha Dzong, and the National Memorial Chorten.
Feedback from Delegates:
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Mr. Ubaid Ur Rehman, Assistant Vice President, Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd., praised Bhutan’s unique combination of warm hospitality, pristine natural beauty, and peaceful coexistence with nature, calling the country a strong year-round destination.
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Mr. Sunil Mishra, Managing Director of Cosmos Tours & Travels and General Secretary of IATO, noted that visiting nearly 25 hotels and several major sightseeing spots has significantly boosted his team’s destination knowledge, improving their ability to promote Bhutan effectively.
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Mr. Deepak Kumar Bhatnagar, CEO of Minar Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd., emphasized how the trip provided valuable insight into Bhutan’s unique tourism products, offering a first-hand understanding of the destination’s tourism offerings.
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Mr. Pramod Singla, from Services International, who had been selling Bhutan tours since 1976 but visited the country for the first time during the FAM, described the programme as highly educational, filled with activities that provided in-depth knowledge of the destination.
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Mr. Viney Tyagi, Joint Secretary of IATO and UNI Crystal Holidays, shared his confidence in Bhutan’s tourism potential, especially highlighting the country’s cleanliness, authentic hospitality, well-preserved monuments, and natural beauty as key factors that will continue to attract strong tourism.
Dr. Manoj Matta’s Remarks:
Dr. Matta, a long-time promoter of Bhutan tourism since 2000, expressed appreciation for the Royal Government of Bhutan’s unwavering commitment to preserving the country’s culture under the “High Value, Low Volume” tourism policy. He also highlighted the importance of improving air connectivity from major Indian cities, as well as the rationalization of post-COVID airfares, to ensure a seamless and affordable travel experience for tourists. Dr. Matta also stressed the need for more awareness about the 24-hour SDF waiver for regional tourists and stronger regulations to prevent cost-undercutting.
Looking ahead, Dr. Matta expressed optimism for Bhutan’s tourism future, particularly with the launch of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which he believes will be a game-changer for the sector.
“This FAM trip has been an incredible way to celebrate our 20th anniversary and reaffirm our commitment to promoting Bhutan as a top-tier tourism destination. We’re excited about the future and the endless possibilities that lie ahead for Bhutan’s tourism growth,” said Dr. Matta.
