January 26: A National Tourism Board has been established to promote the burgeoning tourism industry. The Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji announced the creation of the National Tourism Board at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

The board will function as an autonomous body. The Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji said the National Tourism Board (NTB) was created to develop a dynamic economy as the foundation for a vibrant democracy in keeping with the vision of His Majesty the King.

It will serve as an intergovernmental agency with broad policy guidelines directed by the government. The government will issue an executive order to formalize the establishment of the NTB.

He said the Department of Tourism (DoT) will be reconstituted in accordance with the new structure for the NTB. Transfers and appointments to the NTB will be determined by the Board and its managing director.

Under the Board, dzongkhag tourism committees will be established where deemed neccessary and appropriate to mainstream tourism within the dzongkhag development plans.

The Prime Minister or a minister nominated by the Prime Minister will serve as the chairperson. A government secretary will be appointed as the Vice Chairperson. The Secretary of GNH commission, Head of the Association of Bhutanese Tourism Operators, One Dzongda, the Managing Director of Druk Air, Director of Dratshang Lhentshog, Director of the Department of Forest, and Director of Bilateral Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be the members of the board.

The Managing Director of the National Tourism Board will be the member secretary.

Working term for the members will be three years fixed term except for the Chair person.