Tourism - A culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions?

The cultures and traditions of Bhutan are carefully guarded and well preserved. Today, Bhutan is still able to retain its old charm and has managed to defy globalisation. Bhutan has clinged on to the age-old values and priority against the onslaught of globalisation and modernisation.

Hence, I believe that tourism has not been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions. However instead, tourism has been a culprit in enforcing the need to preserve Bhutan’s cultures and traditions. Although there are indeed changes because of tourism, the cultures and traditions of Bhutan still has its rich culture, pristine environment, and sacred heritage.

When Bhutan first opened its doors to tourism in 1974, the main challenges the government faced was to maintain the country’s culture integrity. So far, the government has been successful in doing so. The government has minimised the drawbacks of tourism by adopting a tourism policy of ‘High Value, Low Volume tourism’.

Tourists need to pay a minimum tariff of US$200 per person per night during high season and US$165 per person per night during low season, an all inclusive payment for accommodation, means, guide, travel and Tourism Development Fund. Tourists are not allowed to travel independently in Bhutan. They are only allowed to travel on a pre-planned, guided and prepaid tour.  There are more than 1300 licensed guide and more than 478 registered tour operators in Bhutan.

Although tourism is the highest earner of hard currency and can support Bhutan’s free health and education system, Bhutan is determined to keep its cultures and traditions in today’s global fast paced world. The rich cultures and traditions of Bhutan have made it the essence of their unique identity. Bhutan has remained one of tourism’s best kept secret. Bhutan believes that man can only survive and truly live by keeping in touch with the past.

The ‘High value, Low volume tourism’ tourism policy that Bhutan has adopted has helped Bhutan to stay rooted in its ground, such that material development is avoided. Bhutan has stressed, more than ever before, the need to retain its rich cultures and traditions.

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footsteps”