Bhutan tourism is promoting Samdrup Jongkhar, a scenic district in the eastern part of the Himalayan country, as a new tourist destination.

On November 7, Bhutanese authorities opened the land border with India for the first time to allow international visitors to enter and exit directly.

“We want international tourists to visit rural districts in the eastern part of our country. They can enjoy traditional arts and handicrafts and witness the traditional architectural marvel of Bhutan,” said Tshering Dorji, an official of the marketing and promotion division of Bhutan tourism, who specified Samdrup Jongkhar.

Dorji was speaking on the sidelines of the eighth edition of the three-day Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) that started here on Tuesday. For the first time, Bhutan tourism ministry is participating in the event to showcase different destinations of the country.

Dorji added that they were also showcasing some other locations in eastern Bhutan, including Pemagatshel, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse and Mongar where people can visit old monasteries and fortresses, and enjoy the idyllic landscape.

They have also introduced a 21-day trek for adventure lovers that starts from Paro near national capital Thimphu.

“Another week-long trek, named the Jomolhari trek, has been introduced in Sarna Jampa in Paro district,” said the official.

On November 7, Bhutan opened an immigration checkpost at Darranga that connects Baksa district of Assam, for the entry and exit of international tourists travelling between India and Bhutan.

Earlier, foreign tourists could enter or exit Bhutan only via the Paro International Airport or the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing land border.

“Many tourists visit Bhutan for its spirituality, adventure tourism, beautiful landscape and cultural heritage. We want to promote our country here. Our tourist destinations are no longer restricted to Thimpu, Paro and Phuentsholing,” he added.

Debasish Chakraborty, general secretary of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association, one of the hosts of the event, said around 60 per cent of the international tourists in Bhutan are from India.

“We are taking a slew of initiatives to improve the cross-border tourism with Bhutan and Nepal. Considering the geographical location of north Bengal (that share borders with both countries), we want the stakeholders from both sides to join hands to boost tourism,” he said.