Tourists can now buy gold at duty-free shops in Bhutan

Tourists who pay the 'Sustainable Development Fee' (SDF) in Bhutan can now buy duty-free gold in Phuentsholing and Thimphu, according to NDTV.

According to Bhutan's national media outlet, Kuensel, the decision was made by the Department of Tourism (DoT) in collaboration with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) to commemorate Bhutan's King's birth anniversary and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year.

The new scheme is expected to benefit Indians the most, as they are the largest group of tourists visiting Bhutan, the report said.

Quoting the media outlet, NDTV said all SDF-paying tourists will be able to purchase duty-free gold if they stay at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel for at least one night.

The gold will be available for purchase in the Bhutanese cities of Phuentsholing and Thimphu beginning March 1.

"To mark the double auspicious day (Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King and Losar, the Bhutanese New Year), the Department of Tourism (DoT) in partnership with Bhutan Duty-Free (BDF) will sell limited quantities of duty-free gold for SDF-paying tourists," the media outlet stated.

"All SDF-paying tourists will be eligible to purchase duty-free gold as long as they spend at least one night at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel. The gold will be available for purchase from March 1, in Thimphu and Phuentsholing," it added.

Further, as per the report, the gold will be sold by duty-free outlets which normally sell luxury items and are owned by the Bhutanese finance ministry, the report said. Apart from being tax-free, Bhutan's duty-free outlets "will not make any profit as the aim is to promote tourism".