Bhutan, birthplace of Gross National Happiness (GNH), or Druk Yul, the land of the Thunder Dragon was virtually closed to the outside world until the 1960s. Even today, little is known about this remote Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom nestled between the two giant China to the north and India to the south. Bhutan is still a country of pristine forest with 72 % under forest coverage, alpine valleys and glacial lakes and rivers, rich in flora and fauna. As spectacular as its natural beauty are architecture of its towering dzongs (fortress) and the art treasures that fill its monasteries and temples.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach towards the development of tourism in the kingdom. The policy of High Value Low Impact which means a sustainable approach to tourism in line with the development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). This must be also viewed as an effort to avoid the negative impacts of tourism on the culture and the environment. The policy is that all tourists must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, and all-inclusive package tours.