Bhutan’s tourism sector recorded strong growth during the first half of 2026, with visitor arrivals exceeding the corresponding figures from 2025 in every month from January to June.
The country welcomed 149,141 tourists during the six-month period, compared with 100,727 arrivals recorded during the same period last year. The increase reflects a significant strengthening of travel demand, supported largely by visitors from India.
Tourist arrivals began the year on a positive note, with 10,627 visitors entering Bhutan in January. This was more than twice the 5,000 tourists recorded in January 2025.
In February, the country received 9,539 tourists, compared with 5,761 during the same month last year. Arrivals rose sharply in March to 26,092, up from 17,742 in March 2025.
The upward momentum continued in April, when Bhutan welcomed 30,345 tourists, surpassing the 28,674 arrivals registered a year earlier.
May emerged as the strongest month of 2026 so far, with 47,343 tourists visiting the country. This represented a substantial increase from the 29,879 visitors recorded in May 2025 and was the highest monthly figure in the available data.
Although arrivals declined from the May peak, Bhutan continued to record strong numbers in June. A total of 25,195 tourists visited during the month, nearly double the 13,671 arrivals recorded in June last year.
The figures indicate that Bhutan entered the middle of 2026 with considerably stronger tourism momentum than in the previous year. In 2025, arrivals had fallen sharply to around 5,000 in July following the June travel season.
Visitor numbers subsequently recovered to 10,010 in August and 20,251 in September. Arrivals rose further to 28,037 in October before declining to 24,412 in November and 21,137 in December.
Phuentsholing remains busiest entry point
Phuentsholing continued to serve as Bhutan’s principal entry point for international tourists in June 2026. A total of 16,135 visitors entered the country through the southern border town during the month.
Paro, which is home to Bhutan’s only international airport, was the second-busiest gateway, receiving 6,979 tourists.
Together, the two entry points accounted for more than 91 percent of all tourist arrivals recorded during June.
Indian visitors dominate tourism market
India remained Bhutan’s largest tourism source market by a wide margin. Of the 25,195 tourists who visited in June, 21,007 were Indian nationals, accounting for more than four-fifths of total arrivals.
Thailand was the second-largest source market, contributing 749 visitors. It was followed by the United States with 577 tourists, Singapore with 516 and Bangladesh with 477.
China accounted for 393 visitors, while 148 tourists arrived from Taiwan. Nepal contributed 127 visitors, followed by Australia with 115 and Japan with 114.
Within India, Maharashtra generated the highest number of tourists, with 3,948 visitors travelling to Bhutan during June.
West Bengal ranked second with 2,237 arrivals, closely followed by Gujarat with 2,056. Karnataka contributed 1,182 tourists, making it the fourth-largest Indian source market during the month.
Rajasthan recorded 897 visitors, while Uttar Pradesh contributed 853. Madhya Pradesh accounted for 656 arrivals and Bihar for 552.
Jharkhand and Punjab completed the list of the ten leading Indian source markets, contributing 356 and 334 visitors respectively.
The broad-based increase in monthly arrivals, together with the sharp rise recorded in May and continued strength in June, suggests that Bhutan’s tourism industry is on course for a stronger performance in 2026.
