TRAVEL
AGENT: West Meets East
Travel. This is Sharon speaking.
CUSTOMER: Hi. I am looking to go to Bhutan this summer,
and I need to book my flight and hotels.
TRAVEL
AGENT: You said Bhutan,
right?
CUSTOMER: Yes. The small, Buddhist kingdom bordering
China, India, and Nepal.
TRAVEL
AGENT: Well, I’m happy to
arrange your travels for you, but you should know that travelling to Bhutan
requires purchasing a tour package that is approved by the Tourism Council of
Bhutan.
CUSTOMER: Really? Why is that?
TRAVEL
AGENT: The thing is, the
Bhutan government regulates tourism. They say they do this to protect the
local culture and the environment, but I also think it has to do with controlling
the tourism money coming in.
CUSTOMER: That makes sense, I guess. So, what kinds of
packages do I have to choose from?
TRAVEL
AGENT: Our agency offers
three tour options. We have a 4-day, a 7-day, and a 10-day option. The first
two are cultural tours, and involve sightseeing and travelling by bus. The
last option is a trekking tour, with a couple of stays at major sites along
the way.
CUSTOMER: Trekking...you mean hiking?
TRAVEL
AGENT: Yeah. Trekking just
means travelling by foot.
CUSTOMER: I’m not in very good shape, but I guess I could
consider it. How much do these tours cost?
TRAVEL
AGENT: The 4-day tour costs
$1,360, the 7-day one is $1,990, and the trekking tour is $2,300.
CUSTOMER: Including airfare?
TRAVEL
AGENT: No, airfare is not
part of the packages. But hotel accommodations, all of your meals, and all
domestic transportation are included.
CUSTOMER: What about a tour guide?
TRAVEL
AGENT: Oh, right. Every tour
includes an experienced guide.
CUSTOMER: It’s certainly not cheap.
TRAVEL
AGENT: No, but that’s
because the government’s travel tariff is worked into the price.
CUSTOMER: I see. Anyway, I’m sure it’ll be worth it.
TRAVEL
AGENT: I should warn you
that because the tours are managed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, you have
to wire transfer the full amount of the tour to them in
advance.
CUSTOMER: So, paying by credit card is not an option?
TRAVEL
AGENT: I’m afraid not.
CUSTOMER: Good to know. Also, I’m thinking about bringing
my kids along. Is it safe for young children?
TRAVEL
AGENT: Absolutely. Bhutan is
very safe. There are even discounts for kids, depending on their ages.
Children 5 years of age and under can go free, and kids between the ages of 6
and 12 receive a 50% discount on any tour package.
CUSTOMER: That’s great. Do we need to get any vaccinations
before we go?
TRAVEL
AGENT: You want to make sure
everyone is up-to-date on their routine vaccinations, of course. But additionally,
it’s a good idea to get vaccinated for hepatitis A and typhoid as well. Some people opt to take malaria
medication, but I really don’t think it’s necessary.
CUSTOMER: So, there isn’t malaria in Bhutan?
TRAVEL
AGENT: There have only been
a few cases reported in the very south of the country, and few travellers go
there.
CUSTOMER: All right. And do we fly directly into Bhutan,
or do we take a bus from a neighbouring country?
TRAVEL
AGENT: You can fly to
Bhutan’s Paro International Airport, but all flights go through India,
Thailand, Nepal, or Bangladesh.
CUSTOMER: And you can take care of that for me?
TRAVEL
AGENT: Absolutely. We have
some good deals out of Sydney and going through Bangkok.
CUSTOMER: Bangkok...I’ve always wanted to go there.
TRAVEL
AGENT: It’s possible to
schedule you a layover for a few days.
CUSTOMER: I’ll think about it. And before I forget, when
is the best time to visit Bhutan in February?
TRAVEL
AGENT: I’d recommend going
during the last couple of weeks. The Lunar New year and the anniversary of
the fifth king’s birth are both over the weekend of the 22nd and
23rd. It’s a very festive time.
CUSTOMER: OK, I’ll talk with my wife and get back to you.
TRAVEL
AGENT: Don’t hesitate to
call if you have any other questions.
CUSTOMER: I won’t. Thanks.
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