Gelephu Airport Boost: Bhutan’s Gelephu International Airport is set to open in 2029 with an initial 1.3 million passengers a year, with plans to scale up to 5.5mppa by 2065, as part of the Gelephu Mindfulness City masterplan. Local Transport Fix: In Gelephu, taxi drivers have shifted from chaotic competition to an organised queue system, splitting local trips and Sarpang-bound passengers to make service fairer. Sports Governance: The Bhutan Amateur Athletics Federation (BAAF) is proposing a national certification system for road, trail and mountain races to standardise safety, course checks and medical arrangements. Tourism Access Update: From September, regional visitors using Bhutan’s 24-hour SDF waiver can visit Milarepa Lhakhang and the Pachu Community Ecotourism Site near Phuentsholing via approved packages and licensed guides. Water Worries: A 2026 inventory reports 18 Paro/Thimphu water sources already dried up and 227 more drying, pointing to climate change, forest loss and development impacts. MICE Spotlight: MICE Bhutan CEO Lizam Dorji has been named PATA Face of the Future 2026 Grand Winner, highlighting Bhutan’s push to grow meetings and events responsibly.