Bhutan will take at least five more years to revive the tourism industry to the pre-COVID-19 level of 2019, estimated the Economic Roadmap 2030 Taskforce of the country. 

The global pandemic was no less than a catastrophe for the global tourism industry in 2020. For Bhutan which aimed to achieve the goal of a $10 billion economy through tourism, the pandemic came as a big blow to the dream. 

A report in national newspaper Kuensel, citing the draft of the Economic Roadmap 2030 Taskforce, said the country is likely to receive just 10 percent of tourists in 2021.  The task force identified the tourism sector as the key driver to realize the goals of the Economic Roadmap 2030. 

For recovery of the sector, the draft recommended policy changes, like creating air bubble agreements with potential markets. There is an urgent need for temporary policy measures by the government, it says. The need for modernization in regulatory and legislative frameworks to make policy future proof remains urgent. 

The report also suggested reforms in the country's visa policy and route permit systems . It also recommended the creation of a National Tourism Promotion and Marketing Board. The board must have representatives from the country’s private sector, it added. 

The basics of the industry have changed since the pandemic, the countries that relied heavily on tourism, are already adopting innovative ways to revive it.