States » EastPosted at: Oct 12 2026 5:07PM


Bhutan tourism surges, but Maharashtra overtakes Bengal as source market

Siliguri, Oct 12 (UNI) Bhutan received 26,040 tourists in September 2026, more than double the 10,486 visitors recorded in the corresponding month last year, according to the country's monthly tourism bulletin released into the public domain by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Royal Government of Bhutan.
India remained the largest source market, accounting for 16,899 visitors during September. However, a state-wise analysis of Indian arrivals has revealed a significant shift, with Maharashtra emerging as the leading source of tourists, ahead of West Bengal, which has traditionally been an important market for the neighbouring Himalayan kingdom.
Maharashtra accounted for 2,442 visitors, while West Bengal recorded 1,198. Karnataka followed with 1,013 tourists, Delhi 980, Gujarat 870, Uttar Pradesh 776, Kerala 725, Rajasthan 626, Madhya Pradesh 521 and Tamil Nadu 368.
The comparatively low number of visitors from West Bengal has raised concerns among tourism stakeholders, particularly in Jaigaon, a major gateway to Bhutan. A tour operator based in Jaigaon, who requested anonymity, said the introduction of the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) had adversely affected tourist movement from the Indian side.
He said West Bengal had been a much stronger source market before the fee was introduced.
Samrat Sanyal, chair of the tourism panel of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), North Bengal Council, also expressed concern over the declining flow of tourists from West Bengal. However, he pointed to the encouraging increase in visitors from western India.
"Bhutan government should start rethinking and working out a suitable policy to attract more tourists from West Bengal into their country," Sanyal told this correspondent.
He said Bhutan needed to review its tourism policy to regain visitors from West Bengal, given the state's geographical proximity and longstanding links with the country.
The bulletin also recorded a sharp rise in tourist arrivals in August, from 10,010 in 2025 to 20,251 in 2026. September arrivals increased from 10,486 to 26,040 over the same period.
Phuentsholing remained the principal entry point in September, recording 13,829 tourist crossings, while another 10,862 visitors arrived directly in Paro.
Among other major source markets, the United States accounted for 1,114 visitors, followed by Bangladesh with 682, China with 568, the United Kingdom with 444, Japan with 422, Singapore with 415, Germany with 388 and Australia with 359.
While the overall growth in tourist arrivals offers encouragement to Bhutan's tourism industry, the figures have highlighted the need to address the declining share of visitors from West Bengal, particularly for businesses operating along the border.
UNI MBN NST
Tags: #Bhutan tourism surges# but Maharashtra overtakes Bengal as source market
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