Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Bhutan

Bhutan’s survival as a sovereign nation rests, in part, on its unique cultural identity in the absence of military might or economic advantages. Despite the advent of globalization and modernization, Bhutan has managed to keep this unique cultural heritage in-tact as this heritage is considered a binding force that unites every Bhutanese. Bhutan is at an important crossroad – taking a break from the past, the country is unapologetic in its choice of tourism management and development, yet it also treads carefully towards globalization and in the preservation of its national imperatives. In the past, Bhutan existed on its own, isolated from the outside world to secure its sovereignty and survival. Today, Bhutan is much more than just an isolated, small country; the rarely visited country that we used to be. These changes are steps forward at this time, when globalization has become a necessity rather than a choice. Bhutan’s doors are open to tourists from around the world and this increases the significance of preservation and protection of cultural heritage – especially in light of the increasing number of tourists visiting and exploring the tiny nation. The continuous influx of foreigners also has a fair share of challenges, along with its significant advantages, and suggests a need for the strong measures to mitigate any adverse impacts. The main objective of this paper is to provide insight into how tourism impacts cultural heritage and whether the existing laws effectively regulate these influences in Bhutan. This paper will further suggest effective ways to mitigate negative impacts of tourism through analysis and synthesis of relevant articles and journals related to tourism and culture.