Limfat Oriana

http://www.saape.org.np/resources/publications/poverty_report03/bhutan.pdf

Although long (about twenty pages) this Poverty Report is a complete and thorough work. Divided into thirteen parts such as “Country background”, “Trends in Economic Performance” or “Alternatives and Recommendations”, the report also provided a lot of interesting tables and graphics.

The following document is a report issued in 2004 by the South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), a regional nework initiative of NGO’s which aim is to ensure people’s participation in the decision making process at all levels to contribute towards poverty eradication. This work highlights the progresses and efforts made by Bhutan during the last decades: the country indeed has been successful in reducing poverty, due to a strong public policy and programme with emphasis on extending basic health, education, water and sanitation services to all parts of the kingdom. Foreign aid has also played an important role in the socio-economic development of the country, thanks to Bhutan’s solid reputation for being able to utilize aid resources efficiently and effectively.

The concept of “Gross National Hapiness” is the central development theme for the nation. The main pillars of this concept are economic growth and development, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, preservation and sustainable use of the environment and, to conclude, good governance.

However, the report points out some persistent problems. Thus, if widespread hunger and starvation no longer occur in Bhutan, a large majority of the population still does not have access to basic necessities. Infrastructures need to be improved while the land ownership issue and the inadequate size of farmlands in the country must be resolved.

In the area of politics, any criticism of the King and his government is considered a treasonable offence. However, a big step has been made last year by the King, who declared in a surprise announcement that he will step down as ruler in 2008 and be succeeded by his son, while the tiny Himalayan nation will hold national elections for the first time and become a parliamentary democracy.

Vocabulary:

- Thorough: sérieux, complet, approfondi

- Treasonable: qui constitue une trahison

Le document suivant est un rapport établi en 2004 par l’Alliance Sud-Asiatique pour l’Eradication de la Pauvreté (SAAPE), une initiative régionale d’Organisations Non Gouvernementales dont le but est d’assurer la participation des peuples dans le processus de prise des décisions à tous les niveaux pour contribuer à éradiquer à la pauvreté. Ce travail met en lumière les progrès et les efforts réalisés par le Bhoutan durant les dernières décennies : le pays a en effet réussi à réduire la pauvreté, dû à une politique publique énergique et un programme mettant l’accent sur l’extension des services de santé, d’éducation d’eau et sanitaires à toutes les régions du Royaume. L’aide étrangère a également joué un rôle important dans le développement socio-économique du pays, grâce à la solide réputation du Bhoutan concernant sa capacité à utiliser les ressources réellement et efficacement.

Le concept de « Bonheur Intérieur Brut » est le thème central du développement de la nation. Les principaux piliers de ce concept sont la croissance économique et le développement, la préservation et la promotion de l’héritage culturel, la préservation et l’utilisation durable de l’environnement et, pour finir, une bonne gouvernance.

Cependant, le rapport soulève certains problèmes persistants. Ainsi, si les famines générales ou le manque de nourriture ne se produisent plus au Bhoutan, une large majorité de la population n’a toujours pas accès aux nécessités vitales. Les infrastructures ont besoin d’être améliorées tandis que le problème de la propriété et la taille inégale des terres arables dans le pays doivent être résolus.

Dans le domaine politique, toutes critiques du roi et de son gouvernement sont considérées comme une infraction constituant une offense. Cependant, un grand pas a été fait l’année dernière par le Roi, qui a déclaré dans une annonce surprise qu’il laisserait le pouvoir en 2008 et serait succédé par son fils, tandis que la minuscule nation Himalayenne tiendra pour la première fois des élections nationales et deviendra une démocratie parlementaire.

c) Geo-political issues

Text 3: “Security of Bhutan: walking between the giants”

http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/journal/vol10/v10-9.pdf

A thorough study of Bhutan specificities, by an Indian scientist.

This paper whose title is « Security of Bhutan : walking between the giants » is an abridged version of a study written for Asia Pacific Center For Security Studies based in Hawai. It discusses the three main issues Bhutan is facing today concerning its security. This long but very interesting article emphasizes geo-political problems the tiny kingdom has to deal with.

The first one is related to China, since there is a border conflict between the two countries. Sino-Bhutan relationships have never been good: China has always been jealous of the influence of India in the country, and in 1954 the Popular Republic of China

published A brief History of China in which a considerable portion of Bhutan was included as a pre-historical region of China. Tensions rose significantly in 1960 when the Chinese declared that the Bhutanese and Tibetans were from the same family and that they had always been subject of Tibet and the great motherland of China. The situation is all the more delicate as Bhutan is greatly concerned by its integrity: the country has never been colonized while the two great world wars and the Cold War have spared Bhutan unlike its neighbours.

Conversely, the Indo-Bhutan relation is currently stronger than ever before: Bhutan and India are bound together by a “special relationship”. This friendship is deeply rooted in religion, culture, history and economic ties. Bhutan is highly reliant on his bigger neighbor, especially from an economic point of view. Morevoer, Bhutan is seen by Indian as a strategic partner, since some Indian insurgents calling for independence from the Indian Federation are still using Bhutan as a hideout and training ground. Ironically, this situation represented a major threat for Bhutan because the national guard forces are very limited and placed on the common border with China, not with India’s. Fortunately, these Indians militants were flushed out in December 2003, but some ethnic tensions still remain.

The third and last aspect depicted in this article deals with the dark side of globalization and the impact of Bhutan joining World Trade Organization. The country became the last nation to introduce television in 1999, because the goverment is very cautious about opening up to western influence. The opening is increasing the country’s vulnerabilities in the field of economy, society, environment, culture, religion and policy. Bhutan is not tempted to accept or reject globalization, but has to take a path at its own strength and speed.

Vocabulary:

- Abridged: abrégée

- Flushed out: expulsé

Le premier problème géopolitique concerne la Chine, puisqu’un conflit frontalier oppose les deux pays. Les relations sino-bhoutanaises n’ont jamais été bonnes : la Chine a toujours été jalouse de l’influence de l’Inde sur le pays, et en 1954 la République Populaire de Chine publia un Précis d’Histoire Chinois dans lequel un morceau considérable du Bhoutan était compté comme faisant partie intégrante de la Chine pré-historique. Les tensions montèrent significativement quand en 1960 la Chine déclara que les Bhoutanais et les Tibétains faisaient partie de la même famille et que les premiers avaient toujours été les sujets des Tibétains et de la grande mère patrie de Chine. La situation est d’autant plus délicate que le Bhoutan est grandement préoccupé par son intégrité : le pays n’a jamais été colonisé tandis que les deux guerres mondiales ainsi que la guerre froide ont épargné le Bhoutan, contrairement à ses voisins.

A l’inverse, les relations indo-bhoutanaises sont actuellement meilleures que jamais : le Bhoutan et l’Inde sont liés par une « relation spéciale » au point de vue religieux, culturel, historique et économique. Le Bhoutan est grandement dépendant de son grand voisin, économiquement parlant surtout. En outre, le Bhoutan est considéré par l’Inde comme un partenaire stratégique, car des rebelles indiens appelant à quitter la Fédération indienne utilisent toujours le Bhoutan comme cachettes et terrain d’entraînement. Ironiquement, la situation représente une menace importante pour le Bhoutan car les forces de sécurité nationales sont très limitées et positionnées à la frontière commune avec la Chine, et non celle de l’Inde. Heureusement, ces militants indiens ont été expulsés en décembre 2003, mais des tensions ethniques persistent toutefois.

Le troisième et dernier aspect décrit dans cet article concerne le côté négatif de la mondialisation et de l’impact du l’adhésion du Bhoutan à l’Organisation Mondiale du Commerce. Le pays a été la dernière nation à introduire la télévision en 1999, car le gouvernement prend encore des précautions pour ce qui concerne l’ouverture à l’influence occidentale. L’ouverture a augmenté les vulnérabilités du pays dans les domaines de l’économie, de la société, de l’environnement, de la culture, religion et la politique. Le Bhoutan ne cède pas à la tentation d’accepter ou rejeter la mondialisation mais a choisi de suivre le chemin avec ses propres forces et à sa vitesse.

d) Personal experience of Bhutan : a backpacker’s journey

Text 4: “on the top of the world”

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1:114983511/On+top+of+the+world~C~+for+those+who+have+traveled+everywhere,+the+remote+kingdom+of+Bhutan+remains+a+mysterious+preserve+that+is+well+worth+the+journey~R~(Peak+Experiences).html?refid=ip_hf

Published in the magazine Town and Country (a monthly American lifestyle magazine, the oldest continually published general interest magazine in the United States), the following article is an account of an old backpacker’s experience in Bhutan.

The narrator has indeed travelled to nearly one hundred countries – he was a private pilot - and had planned to visit the little Himalayan Kingdom for a long time.

Accompanied with two of his best friends, the writer of the article stayed in Bhutan for two weeks. Like all the other tourists allowed in the country, a local guide, whose name was Phurba, accompanied them during their trip.

The narrator is more than enthusiastic in this account of his impressions on Bhutan and Bhutanese people, as the abundance of superlatives and words expressing admiration show it: “wonderful”, “awed”, “stunning” and “impressive” are often repeated in the text. Bhutanese people are described as friendly and obliging. The article ends with some advice for people wishing to go to the land of the thunder dragon (when to go, what to take with you or what to read before).

Vocabulary:

- Backpacker: routard

- Awed: admiratif

- Obliging: serviable

Le narrateur a travaillé dans presque cent pays – il était pilote privé- et prévoyait de visiter le Royaume Himalayen depuis longtemps. Parti avec deux de ses meilleurs amis, l’auteur de l’article est resté deux semaines au Bhoutan. Comme tous les touristes autorisés dans le pays, un guide local, dont le nom était Phurba, les a accompagné durant leur séjour.

Le narrateur est plus qu’enthousiaste dans le compte rendu de ses impressions sur le Bhoutan et les Bhoutanais, comme les superlatifs ainsi que les mots exprimant l’admiration le montrent : « merveilleux », « admiratif », « étonnant » et « impressionnant » reviennent plusieurs fois dans le texte. Le peuple bhoutanais est décrit comme amical et serviable.

SECOND PART: TOURISM AND GLOBALIZATION: THE PARADOX OF PARADISE

Text 1: “Bhutan bans tourism at sacred sites; says visitors desecrate shrines, induce greed”

http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?DOCID=1G1:6119443&num=1&ctrlInfo=Round19%3AMode19b%3ASR%3AResult&ao=&FreePremium=BOTH

Travel Weekly; 11/23/1987; Hunt, Carla

Article published in a magazine specialized in travelling.

In January 1988, the King of Bhutan implemented new measures was to bar foreign tourists from visiting the sacred sites of the country. They were accused of moral corruption. Not only did they not respect the Buddhist faith during their visits to temples, but they also had a bad influence on Bhutanese people themselves who were driven by greed to steal sacred objects. The authorities thus struggled to protect the religious and cultural heritage of Bhutan that was thus placed in jeopardy. Although the number of tourists was limited, tourism was not completely forbidden. Indeed, an alternative tourism was promoted and was mainly focused on the country’s scenic beauty. Therefore, activities such as trekking and rafting were proposed to a minority of wealthy visitors. The government increased the cost of travel arrangements especially in the most popular seasons to reduce the negative impact of tourism on a cultural, religious and social level.

Vocabulary:

- to implement: mettre en application

- to bar: interdire

- greed:avidité

- in jeopardy: en peril, menacé

En janvier 1988, le Roi du Bhoutan a mis en place de nouvelles mesures pour interdire aux touristes étrangers de visiter les lieux sacrés. Ces derniers étaient accusés de corruption morale et de mettre en péril la culture bouddhiste du pays. Afin de préserver cet héritage unique alors menacé, les autorités ont limité le nombre de touristes autorisés. Cependant, le tourisme ne fut pas pour autant interdit puisqu’une nouvelle forme de tourisme accès davantage sur les ressources naturelles du pays fut proposée à une minorité de riches visiteurs. En effet, un séjour au Bhoutan est de plus en plus coûteux, notamment durant la haute saison, afin de décourager les voyageurs nocifs.

Text 2: The last Shangri-La.

http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?DOCID=1G1:21249653&num=4&ctrlInfo=Round19%3AMode19b%3ASR%3AResult&ao=&FreePremium=BOTH

World and I; 11/1/1998; Nordbye, Masha

Article issued in a web magazine devoted to journalists’ travelling experience.

Bhutan is a land of contrasts. On the one hand, a traditional Buddhism is deep-rooted in the Bhutanese society since the 8th century AD, on the other hand the country is increasingly americanized. Foreign tourists used to be attracted by this pristine beauty untouched by modernity. Although Bhutan still conveys a mystical and mythical image, the fabled Buddhist paradise displays many contradictions. While it is the only country in the world with a Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion, the Land of the Thunder Dragon is gradually taking on the processes of globalization. The kingdom was proud of its self-reliance and until 1962 there were neither currencys nor communications. Nowadays there is still little theft or violent crime, and no pollution. Yet, this sheer uniqueness is undermined as roads, telephones, radio, and television are progressively introduced. So Bhutan is facing new challenges and must solve this paradoxical situation which endangers the national identity and mars the image of the country.

Vocabulary :

- deep-rooted : profondément enraciné

- pristine : vierge

- to convey: exprimer, traduire

- to display : afficher, reveller

- sheer: pur

- to undermine : saper, ébranler

- to mar an image : entacher une image

Le Bhoutan est une terre de contrastes. Un bouddhisme traditionnel profondément ancré dans la société cohabite avec une américanisation croissante. La beauté à l’état pur était l’attraction principale de ce pays alors non corrompu par la modernité. Cependant, les contradictions actuelles ternissent quelque peu cette image paradisiaque mythique. Le Bhoutan entre progressivement dans l’ère de la mondialisation. Il peut toujours se vanter de la quasi-absence de violence, de vol ou de pollution. Il n’en reste pas moins que ce qui faisait la spécificité du pays disparaît avec l’introduction du téléphone, de la radio et de la télévision. Le royaume doit aujourd’hui supplanter ces paradoxes qui mettent en péril l’identité nationale.

Text 3: Mystery in the hills : The quiet kingdom of Bhutan struggles to cope with modernization--and a perplexing murder.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1:53515965/Mystery+In+The+Hills~C~+The+quiet+kingdom+of+Bhutan+struggles+to+cope+with+modernization--and+a+perplexing+murder~R~.html?refid=ip_hf

Time International (Spanish Edition); 12/21/1998; Bhaumik, Subir

Article issued in the famous American weekly magazine.

Ever since it opened its borders in the 1960s, the peaceful kingdom of Bhutan has experienced nothing but prosperity. However, King Jigme's goal of increasing “the gross national happiness” is now being hampered by the arrival of unwanted intruders such as illegal immigrants and rebels from neighbouring countries, Nepal and India. Now the unique culture of Bhutan is becoming all the more endangered as the country witnesses a new kind of invasion: namely Westernisation and the corruption it brings with it. Thus the King is struggling to cope with this worrisome lure of modernization and seeks to catch up with the outside world. He states that his people have the right to choose globalized consumerism provided this foreign influence does not alter the traditional Buddhist culture which is the strength of Bhutan.

Vocabulary:

- to hamper: entraver, paralyser

- endangered: menacé

- to cope with: faire face à

- worrisome: préoccupant

- a lure: un attrait

- to seek to : tenter de

- to catch up with : rattraper

- to alter: altérer, transformer

Depuis son ouverture dans les années 1960, le Bhoutan n’a connu que la prospérité. Cependant, la volonté d’accroître le « Bonheur national brut » est aujourd’hui minée par l’invasion de nouveaux visiteurs. Aux immigrants et rebelles s’ajoute une nouvelle menace : l’occidentalisation. Le Roi tente alors de répondre à cet attrait inquiétant pour la modernité et de se mettre au niveau des pays étrangers. Cependant, même si les habitants ont le droit de choisir en faveur de ce consumérisme, la culture traditionnelle, qui est la force du Bhoutan, doit quant à elle perdurer.

Text 4: Journey to the hidden kingdom

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bhutan/journey.html

FRONTLINE/World is a national public TV series that turns its lens on the global community, covering countries and cultures rarely seen on American television

Alexis Bloom, co-producer of "The Last Place", is an independent documentary filmmaker residing in the Bay area.

Nowadays the remote Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is witnessing a tremendous upheaval: the onslaught of Western consumerism. Although the King is trying to preserve the uniqueness of the culture, he now faces the paradox of globalisation. He implements a “low volume, high quality” policy which aim is to reduce the ripple effect of tourism. Tourist quotas are strictly enforced, and the authorities ban foreigners from visiting some pristine parts of the country. Yet, Bhutan is becoming a two-tier society that must reconcile ancient traditions and modernity. Since the opening to the outside world with the arrival of airplanes in 1974, the population has relentlessly changed its consumption patterns. Its cultural inheritance is increasingly in jeopardy with the introduction of new devices such as television or internet. In the aftermath of globalisation, a balance is being sought between increasing cultural protectionism and embracing the advances of the modern world.

Vocabulary

- Remote : isolé

- Tremendous: immense, énorme

- an upheaval: un bouleversement

- an onslaught: une attaque

- a ripple effect : un effet secondaire , une propagation

- enforced: force, imposé

- to ban: interdire

- a two-tier society: une société à deux vitesses

- relentlessly: sans arrêt

- a pattern: un modèle

- in jeopardy: en peril, menacé

- a device: un appareil

- in the aftermath of: à la suite de

Le royaume isolé du Bhoutan est aujourd’hui témoin d’un bouleversement sans précédent avec l’introduction de la société de consommation occidentale. Afin de préserver l’héritage culturel unique du pays, le Roi a mis en place une politique qui vise à réduire de façon drastique le nombre total de touristes au moyen de quotas et en limitant l’accès de certains sites historiques. Cependant, la marche vers la modernisation est inéluctable. Pour éviter les effets pervers de la mondialisation, le gouvernement doit parvenir à un équilibre entre protectionnisme et ouverture.

Text 5: The Kingdom of the Divine : Bhutan has everything except sublime luxury. A high-end travel company plans to change that--but is its arrival a blessing or a curse? (Asian Journey/Bhutan)

http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?DOCID=1G1:121354921&num=1&ctrlInfo=Round19%3AMode19b%3ASR%3AResult&ao=&FreePremium=BOTH

Time International (Asia Edition); 7/26/2004; Frederick, Jim.

The article is issued in the Asian edition of the American weekly magazine, based in Hong Kong.

Bhutan, one of the least globalized countries in the world and untarnished by time, recently hit a threshold with the building of the first foreign hotel company: Amankora. The Land of the Thunder Dragon, which was depicted as the embodiment of Paradise, is now undergoing a radical change. The expensive and cozy Aman resorts provide a new kind of service for a different category of travelers. The king’s measure to limit the negative effects of an unrestricted mass tourism has not deterred Zecha, the owner of Aman, from setting of luxurious accommodations in Bhutan. Yet, his project was hindered by many problems. Not only were most raw materials imported, but the country was also confronted with shortages be it in the industrial realm or on a more personal level. So Amankora is deemed to be a real opportunity of progress for such a remote and unsullied country. But despite this significant economic and social impact, these new properties epitomize a cultural clash since they will appeal to wealthy visitors whose aim will be material comfort, more than genuine interest in Bhutanese culture.

Vocabulary:

- untarnished: non terni

- a threshold: un seuil

- depicted as: dépeint comme

- an embodiment: incarnation

- to undergo: subir, endurer

- cozy: confortable, intime

- to deter: dissuader

- to hinder: entraver, empêcher

- raw materials: matières premières

- a shortage: une pénurie

- a realm: un domaine

- to be deemed: considéré comme , estimé

- remote: isolé

- unsullied: pur, non souillé

- to epitomize: personnifier, incarner

- to appeal: attirer

- genuine: véritable, authentique

Le Bhoutan vient de franchir une nouvelle étape avec la construction du premier hôtel par une compagnie étrangère : l’Amankora. En dépit de la politique touristique restrictive du pays, le directeur de la chaîne Aman est parvenu à implanter ses hôtels luxueux d‘un genre nouveau dans ce paradis sur Terre. Ce projet constitue un exploit compte tenu des difficultés rencontrées telles que les pénuries. Mais bien qu’il représente une opportunité de progrès pour ce pays reculé, il participe d’un véritable choc culturel. Ces nouveaux hôtels attireront en effet une clientèle davantage axé sur le confort matériel que sur la découverte de la culture authentique du Bhoutan.

THIRD PART: ECOTOURISM, A PANACEA ?

Text 1: “What tourists leave behind”

Canada and the World Backgrounder, Sept2002

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3695/is_200209/ai_n9111070

Canada and the World Backgrounder is an academic publication providing coverage and analysis of social and political science.

Tourism is undoubtedly a highly profitable industry, with its 698 million tourists, it consists in the second source of foreign exchange after oil.

But international travelers may one day spoil what they are looking for. Exotic spots, educational experiences through traveling, adventure are what travelers are longing for. But with the increase in the number of tourists modern mass tourism is threatening fragile ecosystems, cultural ways of life, not to mention the impacts that air transport is bringing to the atmosphere. Moreover, tourists want comfort and resorts want to attract tourists, everything is therefore planned to offer the best to the client. Logically, this leads to expensive amounts of energy costs, huge waste of natural resources. The United Nations Environment Program estimates that a tourist produces one kilogram of litter per day. Hotels in the coastal areas largely use the sea as a natural dustbin for their sewage water.

To fight against the negative aspects of tourism, ecotourism is an alternative which offers the possibility to the tourist of being responsible helping to preserve the local environment and promoting the conservation of local communities. Beyond the marketing tool, ecotourism is a new way of doing business in tourism and has established ways and policies to implement its principles. With strings attached to it, ecotourism might turn tourists into citizens of the world.

Vocabulary:

- Sewage water: eaux usées

Le tourisme est devenu une source non négligeable de revenus, mais à trop développer ce secteur, nous risquons de scier la branche sur laquelle nous nous sommes assis. Les dommages causés à l’environnement par le tourisme sont massifs, surtout dans les écosystèmes les plus fragiles. Les principes de l’écotourisme permettront peut-être de freiner un tourisme d’affaires, trop peu préoccupé par le long terme.

Text 2: “Geographical Notes: Bhutan: why travellers become tourists”

Independent, The (London), Jul 19, 1999 by Jamie Zeppa

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990719/ai_n14241247

The Independent is a British compact newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly's Independent News & Media, it is one of the youngest UK national daily newspapers.

While having a look at the current trends concerning ecotourism, especially in Bhutan, it appears that the traditional dichotomy opposing tourist versus traveler is now over. Where travelers used to go on their own, those who now want to go to Bhutan have to fit into the Bhutanese way of traveling. Fixed journeys, group tours and guides are the common lot of whoever wants to go to Bhutan. With 240$ a day, this “low volume high profit” type of tourism, is designed to be ecological, to meet the goals of sustainable development. The government has emitted restrictions over the opening of its kingdom to the modern and foreign world, trying not to follow the path of its neighbors, like Nepal, confronted with deforestation, cultural and ecological damage.

Tourism has brought along inflation, and dreams for the local commoners of getting rich quick…draining manpower to this new manna, hence creating a vacuum in the agricultural sector. Even this restricted form of tourism is still criticized: tourists pay to enjoy cultural and religious ceremonies, which are not, and should not be tourist shows.

But, globally, the Bhutanese experience shows that ecotourism is an alternative to preserve Bhutanese pristine nature and uniqueness while trying to establish a compromise between the modern world and its traditions to catch up on the road towards development.

Manna: manne, aubaine

Vacuum: manque, vide

L’opposition traditionnelle entre touriste et voyageur est remise en question par la vision de l’écotourisme que le Bhoutan est en train d’adopter. En effet, pour 240 dollars par jour, le Bhoutan mise sur un petit volume très profitable de touristes pour favoriser le développement durable. Mais les rêves de richesse chez les locaux, les effets néfastes de la marchandisation du culturel portent à relativiser les avancées dans le monde moderne de ce petit pays.

Text 3: “The Paradox Of Paradise”

Environment, Oct, 1999

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1076/is_8_41/ai_56640434

Environment, published monthly in the US offers peer-reviewed articles and commentaries from researchers and practitioners who provide a broad range of international perspectives.

Ecotourism is embedded in a paradoxical dilemma, while tourists want to have a taste of life in the last primitive societies, in Eden-like, untouched natural areas, they do have an impact on these. It is impossible to preserve these remote areas from the aftermaths of tourist exploitation even with strict policies limiting the number of tourists per year like in Bhutan. The question still remains, because even a high end, small scale tourism is detrimental to what has taken tourists to Bhutan. Fragile ecosystems, cultural traditions are perverted and deteriorated by the influx of foreigners (mainly westerners). The crux of the issue is therefore that these countries would do better not to open their doors to foreigners to remain untouched by the outside world, but they hardly can avoid it for financial reasons. Though it is devoted to sustainable development, ecotourism can not manage the fact that it has influence on countries that remained for a long time outside the capitalist frenzy; ecotourism thus faces a deadlock it has to deal with.

Frenzy: frénésie

Crux: Coeur, centre

L’écotourisme achoppe sur un paradoxe fondamental, à savoir que le tourisme même assorti des plus grandes précautions a nécessairement un impact sur les peuples et les écosystèmes qu’il entend préserver. Pourtant, les raisons financières font qu’il est inéluctable que les pays comme le Bhoutan s’ouvrent à la perversion du monde extérieur. Quel avenir pour ces pays hier réfractaires au monde occidental qui ouvrent leurs portes au développement tiré par la croissance du secteur touristique ?

Conclusion ?

Interestingly, it is a small, almost unknown country which is attracting the world’s interest for its innovative policies implemented to preserve its uniqueness. While some could argue that this is an autocratic monarchy trying to stay away from western civilisation patterns, others tend to see this country as a poster child of sustainable development. Trying to reconcile openness and protection through tourism is particularly essential for such a poor, land-locked country which could like Nepal rely on tourism as a source of revenue. But, in this case the experience of others might, for once, serve Bhutan. And bigger, so-called civilised countries might as well stop looking down on the Third World, and try to take example…Travel is a matter of forgetting oneself and recognising the positive points of otherness, and the best one can wish for this amazing country is that all these efforts won’t be spoilt by uneducated, ethnocentric tourists who will relentlessly be attracted by that authentic taste of otherness.