For Travel Trade & Press

Experience Thunphel Before You Sell or Write About It

Travel Trade & Press

Apply for a familiarization visit

We welcome a small number of travel agents, tour operators, and press each season to experience Thunphel's journeys firsthand — before recommending or writing about them. Qualifying applicants may also be eligible for a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) waiver granted by Bhutan's Department of Tourism, on a case by case basis, applied for jointly through Thunphel as your licensed local operator. Tell us a little about your work and what you have in mind, and our team will follow up directly.

We have written a fuller explanation of how the Department of Tourism SDF waiver works, including what is and is not waived, how long you can stay, and what you commit to in return.

Who typically qualifies

Travel agents & tour operators Reputable agencies with a track record of selling Bhutan, or strong potential in a market Thunphel serves. Applicants should be from the agency's sales, marketing, or product team.
Journalists & media Writers and outlets covering travel, culture, or sustainability, able to commit to a feature or piece post visit.
Content creators A defined audience in travel or culture, and a clear plan for what you'll create about Bhutan.

Tell us about yourself

Every application is reviewed individually by our team in Thimphu.

Please select the option that best describes you.
Please enter your name.
Please enter your company, agency, or publication.
Please enter your country.
Please enter a valid email address.

We review every application individually and typically respond within a few business days. Submitting does not guarantee a place, and it does not guarantee an SDF waiver — that decision sits with Bhutan's Department of Tourism. FAM visits are limited and scheduled around Thunphel's own guest calendar.

How it works

1
You apply Tell us who you are and what you're hoping to experience or cover.
2
We review Our team reviews every application against your credentials and the season's guest calendar.
3
We co-apply to the Department of Tourism If a good fit, we submit the joint SDF waiver application on your behalf — this is a government approval, not ours to grant alone.
4
You experience Thunphel Private guide, real itinerary details, the same unhurried pace we design for guests.

About the SDF waiver

Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee waiver for FAM and press trips is granted by the Department of Tourism, case by case, and requires a joint application through a licensed local operator — that's the role Thunphel plays if your application moves forward. Approval, timing, and terms are the Department's to decide, not ours.

What the waiver does and does not cover

  • It waives the Sustainable Development Fee for up to 7 nights when you enter from western Bhutan and stay within Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Chhukha, or enter from the east and stay within Samdrup Jongkhar, Pema Gatshel, Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse.
  • Longer itineraries beyond those districts can be approved for up to 15 nights.
  • The same person can take a FAM trip only twice a year.
  • Guests should hold a management role in sales or product, and the company needs a working website or active social channels.
  • In return, approved guests commit to at least three marketing activities for Bhutan.
  • Applications go in at least one month before travel, and the Department replies within 7 working days.

Our own terms

Visa and monument fees are not covered by the waiver and are paid by the guest. Companions are not included.

The waiver points above come from the Department's SOP dated April 2026, so please read the official document below for the latest terms.

Official FAM trip SOP (April 2026)  ·  Press & influencer trip SOP  ·  Department of Tourism announcement

Questions before applying?

Our specialists are based in Thimphu and available on WhatsApp or email.

WhatsApp our team info@thunpheltours.com