The World Sustainability Organization is proud to announce a significant milestone in sustainable tourism: Travel.Bhutan has been awarded the prestigious Sustainable Travel Agencies certification. This accolade recognises the agency’s continuous commitment to promoting responsible and environmentally respectful tourism in the Kingdom of Bhutan, a Himalayan gem between India and China, where natural and cultural heritage preservation serves as a global model.
In Bhutan, sustainability and heritage preservation are not merely environmental objectives but essential values for collective well-being, deeply rooted in the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. As a responsible tour operator, Travel.Bhutan embodies this ideal, striving to create travel experiences that minimise environmental impact and positively contribute to local communities’ well-being and the conservation of the country’s unique ecosystems. With this vision, Travel.Bhutan aims to foster tourism that enriches visitors and the communities and environment that host them, supporting growth that respects Bhutan’s cultural and natural values.
Travel.Bhutan’s approach to sustainability translates into concrete actions: from implementing strict environmental standards to reducing waste and single-use plastics, utilising low-emission vehicles, and partnering with eco-certified accommodation providers. The agency exclusively collaborates with local hotels and partners who share the same ecological vision and encourages its clients to adopt environmentally respectful behaviours during their stay.
Among its notable initiatives, Travel.Bhutan has joined the World Sustainability Foundation’s “1 Guest 1 Tree Planted” project, creating a new forest of 300 trees in Central Africa. The agency is also a signatory to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization.
The agency’s social commitment extends to supporting young monks and cultural preservation at the Gateychen Monastery in Phobjikha and Tsamang Tokari Temple for nuns to which a portion of its revenue is allocated. As a women-founded and women-led agency, Travel.Bhutan actively supports female empowerment initiatives, promoting women’s leadership and employment within the tourism sector.
“Travel.Bhutan represents the future of sustainable tourism,” stated Paolo Bray, Founder and Director of the World Sustainability Organization. “Their dedication to the environment and local communities exemplifies how tourism can evolve into a positive force, safeguarding the beauty and integrity of the places we explore and contributing to the wellbeing of host populations.”
The Sustainable Travel Agencies certification confirms Travel.Bhutan’s role as a leader in responsible tourism. With a team of experts and a clear environmental policy, the agency excels in educating and training visitors in sustainable practices, actively contributing to protecting one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, where collective happiness is an ideal and a measurable national objective.