Bhutan Tourism Update: Strong H2 Surge, Aviation Milestones, and High-End Hotel Pipeline

This annual report explores Bhutan’s tourism performance throughout 2025, spotlighting record-breaking growth trends across all ports of entry. It details Drukair’s ambitious expansion plans and the maturing luxury hospitality pipeline from Paro to Thimphu. Additionally, the report offers an overview of the visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City project and its emergence as a critical international gateway.

Bhutan’s tourism sector closed 2025 on a remarkably strong upswing. The second half of the year was defined by robust growth in arrival numbers, the opening of new strategic air links, and landmark infrastructure milestones. Even though total arrivals remain below pre‑pandemic 2019 levels, these developments have successfully positioned the Kingdom for sustained, high-value expansion as it moves into 2026.

Tourism Performance: A Banner Year for Recovery

(Source: https://bhutan.travel/travel-trade & Tashel Melong 2025)

Yearly Comparison: 2024 vs. 2025

Total tourist arrivals saw a significant increase of approximately 44% year-over-year.

• Total Volume: Arrivals grew from 145,065 in 2024 to 209,376 in 2025.

• Demographic Shift:

  • Indian Nationals: Increased from 94,280 to 130,299 (roughly a 38.2% increase).

  • Others: Increased from 50,785 to 79,077 (roughly a 55.7% increase).

• Key Insight: While Indian nationals remain the largest group by volume, the "Others" category is growing at a faster rate.

Peak Season Growth Analysis 2024 vs 2025

The data shows that while spring remains the busiest period in terms of volume, the autumn season and the year-end period experienced higher relative growth rates.

• Spring Peak (March–May): This period saw a combined growth of approximately 35.7%, increasing from 54,760 arrivals in 2024 to 74,295 in 2025.

• Autumn Peak (September–November): This season witnessed a much sharper jump of 47.1%, growing from 49,047 arrivals in 2024 to 72,700 in 2025.

• Summer Shoulder (July–August): Remarkably, this typically quiet period saw the highest percentage increase at 92.5%, nearly doubling from 7,719 to 14,861 visitors.

• Year-End Surge (December): December 2025 outperformed the previous year by 66.5%, reflecting a shift toward Bhutan becoming a preferred winter holiday destination.

(Source: https://bhutan.travel/travel-trade & Tashel Melong 2025)

2025: H1 vs. H2

Based on the data for 2025, the tourism sector displayed a significant shift in momentum, with H2 (July–December) outperforming H1 (January–June) in total volume.

Growth and Volume Comparison

• Total Arrivals: H2 recorded 115,598 arrivals compared to 93,778 in H1.

• Percentage Increase: This represents a 23.3% increase in tourist traffic during the second half of the year.

• Average Monthly Volume: H1 averaged approximately 15,630 visitors per month, while H2 averaged 19,266.

2025 Seasonal Dynamics

The data highlights a distinct change in seasonal patterns between the two halves of the year:

• H1 Peaks and Troughs: The first half was characterized by a strong spring peak, particularly in April (28,674) and May (29,879) coinciding with major events like the Paro Tshechu and the Rhododendron Festival. However, it started slowly with low volumes in January and February.

• H2 Consistency: While H2 contained the year's lowest month (July with 4,851 arrivals), it benefited from a sustained four-month surge from September through December, fueled by the Thimphu Tshechu in October and the Black-Necked Crane Festival in November.

• Monsoon/Summer Growth: While July remained the lowest month (4,851), it still saw an 85% increase over July 2024, indicating that efforts to promote year-round travel are gaining traction.

• Year-End Strength: Every month in the final quarter (Oct–Dec) exceeded 21,000 arrivals, whereas H1 only had two months cross that threshold.

Comparative Momentum

The transition into H2 signaled a broader market recovery or expansion, as the growth rates compared to the previous year were often more dramatic in the latter half. For instance, August and July in H2 saw year-over-year increases of 97% and 85% respectively, indicating that the "off-peak" season is gaining significant traction compared to 2024 levels.

(Source: https://bhutan.travel/travel-trade & Tashel Melong 2025)

Arrivals by Nationality 

• Regional Dominance: India remains the primary source market due to geographic proximity and a concessionary SDF of Nu. 1,200 (~$15) per night.
  
  
• Top Source Markets: Outside of India, the United States led arrivals, followed by the China, Singapore and United Kingdom, signaling a revitalized interest from both Western and East Asian markets.
  
  
• Global Reach: In 2025, Bhutan welcomed visitors from 157 different countries, a sign of its expanding international visibility through marketing and influencer collaborations.
• Visitor Behavior: Indian tourists averaged a 4-night stay, while other international visitors averaged 5 nights. This sustained trip length has ensured that economic benefits are spread across the value chain, from luxury lodges to local SMEs.

Arrivals by Port of Entry

(Source: https://bhutan.travel/travel-trade & Tashel Melong 2025)

The primary gateways into Bhutan showed varying levels of activity.

• Phuentsholing: Remained the busiest port of entry with 106,403 total arrivals.

• Paro: Welcomed 88,546 visitors via Paro International Airport.

• Samdrup Jongkhar: Recorded 2,644 arrivals.

• Gelephu: Saw 608 arrivals, primarily concentrated in the second half of the year.

Aviation & Connectivity: Drukair’s Strategic Leap

H2 2025 was a transformative period for the national flag carrier, Drukair, which focused on diversifying access to the Kingdom.

• Expanding the Southeast Asian Corridor: Drukair reached a major milestone on October 7 with its inaugural charter flight to Jakarta, Indonesia (via Siliguri). This six-hour journey establishes a critical connection to Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

  Building on this momentum, Drukair successfully executed a series of charter operations throughout December, further solidifying its regional presence with flights to:

  • Vietnam
  • Malaysia: Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuala Lumpur
  • Indonesia: Continued service to Jakarta

• Interline Success with Thai Airways: Signed on October 24, a new partnership with Thai Airways now allows for seamless through-check-in and one-stop connections via Bangkok. This significantly eases travel for visitors from Japan, Korea, Australia, and Oceania.

• New South Asian Links: In December, the airline launched first-ever charter services between Paro and Colombo, Sri Lanka, expanding cultural and religious tourism links within the region.

• Fleet of the Future: Looking toward 2030, Drukair has signed an MoU with Airbus for three A320neo and two A321XLR aircraft. These long-range models will eventually allow direct services to Europe and Australia from the flat terrain of Gelephu.

Gelephu International Airport and the Mindfulness City

The defining event of late 2025 was the formal integration of Gelephu into the international travel network. On December 8, 2025, the inaugural flight from Gelephu to Kolkata took place, followed by the commencement of twice-weekly scheduled services.

As the anchor for the emerging Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), the airport is now a critical gateway to Bhutan. This secondary international link opens the southern and eastern regions to direct trade and investment.

Hospitality Pipeline: A New Era of Luxury

Dawa at Hilltop

The recent expansion of Bhutan’s hospitality sector represents a deliberate shift toward a more sophisticated, design-centric luxury market that aligns with the nation’s "High Value, Low Volume" tourism policy. This pipeline suggests a transition from traditional boutique lodges to a diverse mix of globally recognized brands and architectural landmarks.

Key Thematic Observations

• Global Brand Confidence: The entry of major international players like JW Marriott and the expansion of the Taj group signal high investor confidence in Bhutan’s ability to attract consistent, high-spending clientele.

• Architectural Prestige: The involvement of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for the Pemako Paro project marks a new chapter where the accommodation itself becomes a primary draw, blending world-class modern design with Bhutanese heritage.

• Strategic Geographic Distribution: Development is not limited to the capital; projects like the Taj Gangtey Resort ensure that luxury infrastructure reaches remote valleys like Phobjikha, encouraging visitors to explore deeper into the Kingdom.

• Capacity for Growth: With larger inventories—such as the 150-room JW Marriott and the 87-room Dawa at Hilltop—the sector is preparing for the increased arrival volumes seen in 2025 while maintaining a premium service standard.

This evolution in the accommodation landscape ensures that the physical infrastructure of the Kingdom can now support the ambitious economic goals set by the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative.

Taj Paro Resort & Spa

Outlook for 2026: Seamless Travel and Bespoke Experiences

To maintain this momentum, the Department of Tourism and Drukair have signed a Joint Marketing Agreement (JMA) for 2026. This partnership will focus on integrated digital storytelling and tactical fare promotions to convert global interest into actual bookings.

Upcoming Enhancements for 2026:

• Singapore Frequency: From April 2026, flights between Paro and Singapore will increase to three times weekly, providing better flexibility for Changi-bound transit passengers.

• Bespoke Air Travel: Drukair recently took delivery of a Pilatus PC-24 (8-seat configuration) for VIP and small-group charters.

• Premium Fleet Upgrades: By July 2026, an Airbus A319 ACJ corporate jet will join the fleet, offering a 40-seat premium configuration for diplomatic missions and ultra-luxury tour groups.

Drukair Pilatus PC-24 is available for charter

Better access for Singapore and Southeast Asia

Regional connectivity will receive another boost in 2026 with increased services between Paro and Singapore, one of Bhutan’s most important international gateways. From April 2026, Drukair plans to ramp up Paro–Singapore flights to three times weekly, creating more flexibility for both leisure and business travellers beyond traditional peak‑day patterns. For travellers based in or transiting through Singapore, this added frequency makes it easier to combine Bhutan with wider Southeast Asia, Australia and long‑haul markets that feed into Changi Airport.

The enhanced schedule positions Bhutan as more accessible yet still exclusive for regional and global visitors. The improved connectivity also supports Bhutanese travellers and businesses, facilitating greater exchange while remaining consistent with the country’s emphasis on mindful, sustainable growth.

New Singapore (SIN) ⇄ Paro (PBH) Schedule

Effective April 2026

Effective 15 May 2026

Find out how to travel from Singapore to Bhutan.

The conclusion of 2025 marks a transformative era for Bhutan’s tourism landscape, characterized by a return to robust growth and a fundamental shift in how the kingdom connects with the world. 2025 demonstrated that the "High Value, Low Volume" philosophy remains resilient, as evidenced by the successful balance between a revitalized regional market and a surging interest from long-haul international travelers.

Moving toward 2026, Bhutan is evolving from a destination of discovery into a global hub for intentional and wellness-focused tourism. With the rise of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a maturing luxury hotel pipeline, and Drukair’s ambitious fleet expansion, the infrastructure is now set for a more accessible yet exclusive future. Bhutan enters 2026 by redefining itself as a more competitive and innovative destination.