PAYMENT PROCEDURE
a) All tour payment shall be made in US dollars or in any convertible currency acceptable to the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and shall be made in advance to Department of Tourism for the visas to be processed.
b) When advance payments are not possible, the Tour Agent shall arrange to deposit its counter value in local currency which shall be released on receipt of the tour payment in convertible currency.
c) The Department of Tourism shall not process tourist visa applications of those Tour Agents who are not able to deposit advance payments either in convertible or in local currency.
d) The exchange rates shall be based on the rates published by the RMA from time to time. Any loss or gain resulting from exchange rate difference or fluctuation shall be entirely at the risk or the benefit of the tour operators / agents.
e) As far as possible, all tour payments shall be routed through either Bank of Bhutan or Bhutan National bank. f) Payments must be received either by telegraphic transfer to an overseas account of the two banks mentioned above or by means of a bank draft or bankers cheques drawn in favour of Department of Tourism. In all the cases, the name of the local tour agent as the “beneficiary” shall be clearly stated.
g) Bank charges involved shall be borne by the local tour operator or agent abroad as may be mutually agreed between them. Department of Tourism shall shall have no responsibility in this regard. h) Any other modes of payments other than the ones mentioned under
(f) above, especially in cash, are illegal and are discouraged by the Department of Tourism. However, under certain circumstances where payments are received in such forms, tour operators shall declare to the Department of Tourism along with proper documentary testimonials supporting the mode of payments and the amount. Any such payments without the supporting documents shall be considered illegal and shall be liable to be confiscated as per foreign exchange rules.
CANCELLATIONS
Tour programs booked and subsequently canceled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
a) Within 30 days of the start
of the tour programme - Free
b) Within 21 days - 10% of the rate
c) Within 14 days - 15% of the rate
d) Within 7 days - 30% of the rate
e) Less than 7 days or
cancellation without notice - 50% of the rate
f) After arrival in Bhutan - 100%
DELAYED ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
a) There shall be no charge for the number of days of delays in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks.
