Embassy of India

Embassy of India, 

Thimphu

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Press Release 

Subject: Incredible India Pavilion at the Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM), Thimphu

The Incredible India Pavilion was inaugurated by Ambassador of India to Bhutan, and H.E. Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Hon’ble Minister for Industry, Commerce & Employment (MoICE), RGoB on 11 June at the Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM), Thimphu. BITM is being organized from 11–13 June 2026 by the Department of Tourism, RGoB, and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO).

2. Two publications promoting Indian tourism - ‘Incredible India’ and ‘India: Land of Buddha’, were also unveiled at the inauguration ceremony. Incredible India captures over 40 sites covering historical, diverse nature, adventure and other leisure locations across India. India: Land of Buddha encompasses over 30 Buddhist locations across India. Embassy had earlier brought out a compilation of sacred sites related to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in Odisha, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh in India, which are also available at the Incredible India Pavilion.

3. BITM provides a platform for tourism stakeholders, buyers, and media representatives to explore market opportunities. More than 180 hospitality industry entrepreneurs from India are participating in BITM, which is a testament to the strong India-Bhutan synergy in strengthening two-way tourism.

4. India and Bhutan share active tourism and people-to-people ties. India is Bhutan's largest source market for tourists. In 2025, Bhutan recorded 209,376 international tourist arrivals, of which approximately 60% were from India. Similarly, Bhutanese visitors frequently travel to various locations in India, led by Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sikkim, Udayagiri, Sarnath and other Buddhist sites for tourism and pilgrimage.

5. The first ever BITM is being organized by the Royal Government of Bhutan under the Economic Stimulus Programme. Hon’ble Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment conveyed his thankfulness to the Government of India for its support to the BITM.

6. Citizens of India and Bhutan can travel freely between the two countries without any visa requirement. Both land and air connectivity with important cities of India further support two-way tourism.

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11 June 2026,

Thimphu