09/08/2021
๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐-๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ
The Kingdom of Bhutan, a global leader in vaccinated persons per capita, is preparing for the return of tourism thanks to the thoughtful and diligent response to the pandemic led by our compassionate leader, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and the strategic planning by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
With the Delta variant causing another spike in COVID-19 infections across the world, international travel remains limited โ especially in Asia. However, on August 9, 2021, Bhutan happily welcomes back its first tourist since borders closed in March 2020.
American Frances Bak, currently Bhutanโs only tourist, was invited to the Kingdom by MyBhutan. The local tour company who will be hosting Frances in Bhutan on a three-month visa.
This will be Francesโ second visit to Bhutan. In 2019, Frances travelled across the nation to offer an introduction to sound therapy to various communities; ranging from youth programs in Thimphu, to the monks of Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery in Trongsa, to the villages of Trashigang, to the Monpas of Zhemgang.
We are delighted to have Fran (ces) back in our beloved Himalayan home. She has a true heart and love for the nation. We are grateful for His Majestyโs relentless dedication to safeguard our people against the virus during this challenging time, as well as for the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Tourism Council of Bhutan for responding quickly to improve livelihoods for Bhutanese across the country and prepare tourism for its return said Chechay Nidup, Director of Operations, MyBhutan.
The approvals for Francesโ visit were jointly granted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, National COVID-19 Task Force and Department of Immigration.
โWe are happy to welcome Frances Bak as our first guest after the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to learn that her main interest is to experience her unique style of โwellness and wellbeing with sound therapyโ in our pristine and peaceful land. This sync so well with one of our newfound visions of branding Bhutan as an exclusive destination for wellness and wellbeing post-COVID-19 and Itโs such a wonderful coincidence said Dorji Dradhul, Director General, Tourism Council of Bhutan.
(Edited for clarity-news format)
Picture (Courtesy-MyBhutan) : Frances Bak on her first visit to Bhutan in 2019.
