US Visa Bond Goes Permanent: The U.S. State Department has made its visa bond programme permanent for B1 (business) and B2 (tourism) applicants from 50 countries, including Bhutan. Consular officers may require a refundable deposit up to $20,000 before a visa is issued; it’s returned if travellers follow visa conditions and leave on time. Hospitality Digital Push in Bhutan: Bhutan’s first National Digital Readiness Benchmark for the hospitality sector assessed 204 three-star hotels and found half are now digitally advanced, but gaps remain in direct booking, owning digital assets, and managing online presence independently. Tourism Growth Update: Bhutan welcomed 149,141 visitors in H1 2026, up 48.14% year-on-year, supported by expanded regional air services and new hotel openings in Paro and Gangtey. Roads & Connectivity: Bhutan’s Gelephu–Tareythang Road project has reached a key planning milestone, with the DPR due this year and construction expected to start mid-next year, cutting travel time dramatically while aiming to protect wildlife habitats. Education for Culture & Tourism: The College of Language and Culture Studies in Trongsa has been renamed and restructured into the Trongsa College of Heritage and Contemporary Studies, adding programmes that link heritage with careers in diplomacy, policy, education, journalism and cultural tourism.