But this is not a suprising fact when you realize that the low number of visitors to this country is by design.
The Goverment of bhutan have a followed a philosophy og ''Gross National Happiness'' or GNH (perhaps they feel its is more desirable value than''Gross Domestic Product)
They wish to preserve the country and its beauty the way it is, they don't want modernisation or the development of materialistic value to destroy their ancient culture and tradition and to this end they have sought balance between external influences and their own way of life.
They are wise enough to know that tourists and the influence they would bring will,in time,erode and eventually destroy their beautyful country. As a result acces is retricted and only 20,000 people a year are allowed to visit Bhutan. The number of flightsin is retricted to 2 per day visitor are expected to spend at least $200 a day and if you wish to stay in one of the few luxury hotels you will pay @1.000 a night.
Visitor are also expected to hire a tour guide and be escorted every where,there are no air trips and getting a round the country can be difficult.
It is forbidden to climb Bhutan's highest mountain Gangakhar Puensum (7,570 metres), or any other mountain for that matter. Mountaineering has been banned because the peaks are regarded as scared. To this day Gangkhar Puensum remains the world's highest unclimbed mountain.
The goverment's philosophy appears to be highly succesful. Bhutan remains a beautyful unspoilt place and has been declarated'' the happiest place in the world''.
