Bhutan pushes tourism growth and digital‑asset expansion with new initiatives

Bhutan’s tourism sector recorded 209,376 visitors in 2025, a 44 % rise over the previous year, generating about USD 43.3 million in direct Sustainable Development Fee revenue. The government aims to further increase arrivals, extend stays and spread benefits to local communities by investing Nu 40 million in trekking infrastructure, launching new tourism products and promoting lesser‑known destinations.

At the same time, crypto exchange Bitget signed a cooperation agreement with the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority to establish a legal entity in the newly created Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region intended as a hub for finance and innovation. Bitget will seek a Financial Services Licence from the Gelephu Financial Services Office and work on compliance and ecosystem development, supporting Bhutan’s strategy to diversify its economy, create jobs and attract skilled workers.

Both moves reflect Bhutan’s broader effort to combine high‑value, low‑impact tourism with a regulated digital‑asset ecosystem, leveraging its clean‑energy resources and regulatory clarity to stimulate sustainable economic growth.