The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is looking to triple its annual number of visitors. Jigme Thinley, Prime Minister, Bhutan has outlined an expansion plan for the sector, setting a target of one lakh tourists by 2012. About 30,000 tourists are expected to visit Bhutan this year.

According to a report, Thinley did not clarify whether the one lakh target would include regional tourists, like those from India. The Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) said it would be possible to bring in up to 60,000 non-Indian tourists by 2012, but perhaps not more.

Indian tourists pay in rupees as it is the same value as the Bhutanese currency, the Ngultrum. All foreign visitors to Bhutan, except those from India, must pay a daily minimum tariff of between USD 200 and USD 250.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan is planning to re-brand the kingdom as ‘The Last Shangri-La’, a reference to a fictional Himalayan utopia. New destinations within the country are being opened to tourism, while hotels and credit card infrastructure are being upgraded. Meanwhile, more than 250 acres of land in south, east and centre of the kingdom have been earmarked for tourism resorts.