Five-Star Hotels Lead the Way in Bhutan’s Green Certification Drive

Bhutan takes a major step in sustainable tourism with the launch of the Bhutan Green Hotel Standard, encouraging hotels nationwide to go green.

Bhutan has taken a major step forward in its sustainable tourism journey with the launch of the Bhutan Green Hotel Standard (BGHS). The new benchmark, designed to recognise and promote environmentally friendly hotels, was launched at Dungkar Dzong in Paro. Developed by the Department of Tourism, the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO), and the Bhutan Standards Bureau, the initiative brings together key national stakeholders to strengthen Bhutan’s green credentials.

Aligning with Global Standards

The BGHS draws inspiration from internationally recognised frameworks such as the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard and the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. Officially endorsed by the Bhutan Standards Bureau in March last year, the framework sets out 9 parameters and 67 indicators. To be certified, hotels must meet 48 mandatory indicators, while 19 remain recommended.

Pilot Assessments and Certification

Pilot assessments were conducted in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha under SUSTOUR, an EU-funded project promoting sustainable tourism. As part of this phase, five hotels in the five-star category received certification, including Zhiwaling Heritage—the only five-star resort in Bhutan wholly owned by Bhutanese. Officials highlighted that the programme remains voluntary, with a phased and supportive approach designed to encourage wider participation from the industry.

Benefits for Hoteliers

Speaking at the launch, Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, highlighted the value of certification. “They have a branding advantage, they can focus on people who care, they can target conscious travellers, they can cater to environmentally friendly travellers, they can cater to responsible travellers, and there’s quite a huge opportunity for them to differentiate,” he said. ABTO’s Executive Director, Sonam Dorji, added that while the standard is not regulatory, it will help hotels improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and adopt eco-friendly practices.

Certification Validity and Common Gaps

Each BGHS certificate is valid for three years, after which reassessment is required. Findings from the pilot revealed that three-star and above hotels usually meet around 20 indicators due to Bhutan’s star classification system. However, sewage and wastewater management—particularly water reuse—emerged as a key challenge, alongside incomplete documentation from hoteliers.

Evidence-Based Approach

According to ABTO’s Sonam Dorji, the framework ensures accountability. “The main objective of the standards is evidence-based. There were hotels which were practising green initiatives, responsible initiatives, and sustainable initiatives; however, there was no evidence to prove that they were actually practising them,” he explained.

Next Steps

Authorities plan to roll out nationwide sensitisation programmes for hoteliers, train assessors for consistent evaluation, and refine criteria based on pilot feedback. Hotels across Bhutan are now invited to apply for certification under the Bhutan Green Hotel Standard, marking a new chapter in the kingdom’s commitment to sustainability.