Bhutan to Sell Gold at Duty-Free Shops in a Bid to Boost Tourism

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Tourists visiting Bhutan, who pay the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF), can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu. According to Bhutan's national media outlet, Kuensel, the decision was taken by the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) to mark the birth anniversary of Bhutan's King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year. 

The new scheme is expected to benefit Indians the most, who are among the largest cohort of tourists visiting Bhutan. As per the outlet, all SDF-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. The gold will be available for purchase from March 1, in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu. 

"To mark the double auspicious day (Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year), the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) will sell limited quantities of duty-free gold for SDF-paying tourists," the media outlet stated.

 Courtesy: www.ndtv.com