The daily fee for promoting sustainable development, known as the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), varies depending on the currency used by tourists. Visitors paying in dollars are required to pay a fee of US$100, per day per person, while Indian tourists have an SDF of Rs.1,200. This fee is directly allocated to the government, contributing to their sustainable initiatives.
In addition to the SDF, the overall cost of traveling to Bhutan encompasses various elements such as accommodation, meals, local transportation (excluding domestic air travel), the expertise of a licensed Bhutanese tour guide, Bhutan camping gear, and the transportation of Bhutan trekking equipment. These costs can be adjusted and determined based on the prevailing market rates, ensuring a fair and transparent pricing structure.
The incentives and measures will encompass the following aspects:
The Royal Government will periodically assess both domestic and international tourism scenarios and may discontinue the mentioned incentives after August 31, 2027, to uphold and promote Bhutan’s High Value Low Volume Tourism Policy.
To calculate the total SDF payable per person, you can use the online tool available on the Department of Immigration’s website at https://visit.doi.gov.bt/ and the Department of Tourism, Bhutan.
To make the payment for your tour package, you are required to wire-transfer the total amount to the travel agent. This transfer must be made through certified international partners of Bhutan National Bank (BNB) or Bank of Bhutan (BoB). It’s important to email a copy of the receipt to your travel agent for confirmation.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) stands as a daily payment imposed on visitors, serving as a financial pillar to drive Bhutan’s progress. Since the kingdom’s commencement of welcoming guests in 1974, these individuals have assumed a pivotal role in fostering the growth of our nation.
The SDF, gathered by the national exchequer, is channeled towards diverse initiatives aimed at creating enduring and sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people. These initiatives encompass essential realms such as accessible healthcare, education, and comprehensive training programs. Moreover, the funds contribute to the elevation of the tourism and hospitality industry through skill enhancement endeavors. The SDF also plays a crucial role in bolstering our infrastructure, preserving the environment, conserving our precious forests, nurturing our cultural heritage, and facilitating the prosperity of local enterprises and economies. Furthermore, the SDF acts as an indispensable instrument in upholding Bhutan’s globally acclaimed forest cover and carbon-neutrality, which are of paramount importance to our compact yet significant nation. Ultimately, the SDF safeguards our ability to provide visitors with an experience characterized by serenity and intimacy.
Visitors from countries other than India are required to pay USD $100 per person per day as the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). However, for guests from India holding an Indian passport or Indian voter ID card, the SDF is set at 1,200 ngultrum or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees per person per night.
Children who are below the age of six are not required to pay any SDF. Children between the ages of 6 and 12, at the time of travel, are eligible for a 50% discount on their SDF. Those aged 12 and above are subject to the full SDF rate. The same long-stay SDF incentives are applicable to children paying the SDF in US dollars.
To promote longer stays in Bhutan, there are various duration-based SDF incentives available for guests paying the SDF in US dollars.
Day visitors to Bhutanese towns bordering India are also exempt from paying the SDF until they reach a specific point designated by the Bhutanese government.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily fee imposed on visitors to Bhutan. The revenue from this fee is used to fund various sustainable initiatives in the country, including healthcare, education, training programs, infrastructure development, environmental conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and local enterprise growth. It also supports Bhutan’s commitment to maintaining its forest cover and carbon neutrality.
For international tourists, the SDF is USD $100 per person per day. For Indian tourists holding an Indian passport or Indian voter ID card, the SDF is set at 1,200 ngultrum or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees per person per night.
Yes, children aged 5 years and below are exempt from paying the SDF. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 years are eligible for a concessionary levy rate of 50% of the SDF. Anyone aged 12 and above, including children, must pay the full SDF rate.
Bhutan offers several long-stay SDF incentives. For instance, if you pay the SDF for four nights, you receive up to four additional nights without the daily levy. Similarly, if you pay for seven nights, you get the next seven nights free from the SDF. If you pay for twelve nights, you get the next eighteen nights free from the SDF.
You can calculate the total SDF payable per person using the online tool available on the Department of Immigration’s website and the Department of Tourism, Bhutan. To make the payment for your tour package, you need to wire-transfer the total amount to the travel agent through certified international partners of Bhutan National Bank (BNB) or Bank of Bhutan (BoB). It’s important to email a copy of the receipt to Marvellous Bhutan Travel Pvt. Ltd for confirmation.