Tourism Growth: Bhutan welcomed 26% more tourists in the first five months of 2026, reaching 102,000+ SDF-paying visitors and about USD 68.7M in revenue, with Indian arrivals driving much of the rise. Local Travel Access: STCBL has opened a new fuel retail outlet in Lhamoi Dzingkha (Dagana), adding storage for 80,000 litres to cut recurring shortages for 9,000+ residents. Hiking Buzz: Social media is pushing more people toward Bhutan’s lesser-known trails, with Pangkala in Paro emerging as a trending hike destination. Border-Travel Reality Check: A travel influencer couple highlighted a stark contrast between India and Bhutan sides of the India–Bhutan border, praising Bhutan’s cleanliness and calmer traffic. Regional Visitor Planning: Russia’s unified e-visa list for 2026 includes Bhutan, with rules on when to apply and allowed stay. Mental Health Support: The PEMA helpline (1098) is reporting high demand, with most severe cases handled within 5 hours and options to text or chat via email/WhatsApp. Banking Note for Travelers: Banks are closed in Sikkim on July 18 for Drukpa Tshe-zi, while most other places keep normal hours.