Recommend December 2012 - (Page 31)

of majestic hills about 15 miles from Jaipur. Each canvas retreat features all modern amenities, luxury bathroom, private garden and secluded outdoor pavilion. The place is part ﬁve-star hotel and part campsite and its architecture and landscaping are stunning. bhutan Sellers at the Paciﬁc Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart held in September in Manila almost entirely agree that Bhutan was 2012’s “hot” Asian destination, as indicated by its double-digit increase in visitors during the year. Most attribute the growth to the country’s heightened awareness of tourism as a viable industry and to the success of “Happiness is a Place,” the catchy slogan unveiled by the Tourism Council of Bhutan 2011, and now an omnipresent catchphrase seen in countless posters throughout Asia. Bhutan is the last remaining Buddhist kingdom in the world and the only country to guide its policy according to “Gross National Happiness” rather than Gross Domestic Product. In 2012, the people of the tiny, isolated kingdom seem to have come to terms with globalization while determined to  preserve their identity and way of life. That has led the country to become one of the  most sought-after destinations for travelers  who want a taste of something different.  It is a tiny spot on the map, yet it looms  large with its appeal and beauty. In 2012, the  remote Himalayan kingdom met a goal set  more than ﬁve years ago to attract visitors to this exquisite land that only opened to outsid ers about 30 years ago and ﬁercely guards its  ancient traditions. More than 50,000 came.  Meanwhile, new areas have opened to  tourism; hotels and credit card infrastructures  were upgraded, and last March more than  250 acres in the south, east and center were  earmarked for tourism. Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi  Y Thinley says: “We want to expand this  [tourism] sector without compromising on our  policy of high quality, low impact, as opposed  to volume, tourism.”  The caveat for travel agents and tour operators, however, is that early in 2012 Bhutan  raised the daily fee for visitors to $250 per  day in part to control the inﬂux of visitors eager to visit the bijou kingdom that bills itself Let our Asia Specialists help you impress your clients! as “The Last Shangri-La,” paying homage to the ﬁctional Himalayan dreamland. According to Russell Oquist, president of info@travelindochina.com MG Tour Company (also known as Monwww.travelindochina.com CST # 2001136-50 gol Global Tour Company), boutique tour operators in Cypress, CA, “We have seen our Call or Email for our inspiring 140 page Asia Journeys brochure business grow during 2012, especially in the Asia-Paciﬁc area and have also had unprecedented requests for customized tours to Bhutan.” Oquist considers Bhutan one of “the hottest destinations of 2012,” a label that suits the MG to a tee, a company he describes as “having been designed for people who work to live but live to travel.” He adds that despite the economic shortcomings of 2012, “we saw business grow.” MG Tour Company’s Express Bhutan features the country’s marvels such as its magnificent ancient forts, monasteries, museums and even textile factories. For Westerners, the most unforgettable stop is the           1-866-459-6163 december 2012 31 http://www.travelindochina.com http://www.travelindochina.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Indie Boutique Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Apple Vacations
16th Annual Recommend Readers' Choice Awards Winners
Cruising 2012
North American Splendor
Tantalizing Tallahassee
New Beginnings
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
For Asia and the South Pacific, 2012 was a Vintage Year
Europe Always Astounds
Six 2012 Trends That are Here to Stay
Africa Rising
Checking-in to Latin America

Recommend December 2012