𝐑𝐁𝐏 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬

By Kezang Choden

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), in collaboration with the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan (HRAB), conducted a sensitization and awareness session for hotel owners, managers, and staff from Thimphu, Paro, Wangduephodrang, and Chukha. The session aimed to address growing concerns related to crimes and drug-related issues within the hotel industry.

The program focused on the challenges faced by the hospitality sector, responsibilities of hotel management, and preventive measures against crime and substance abuse. This initiative responds to a rising number of hotel workers being implicated in criminal activities across the country.

The Royal Bhutan Police recorded a total of 138 cases involving hotel workers from 2021 to May 27, 2025, with 151 arrests made during this period. The fact that arrests outnumber cases suggests some incidents involved multiple suspects, pointing to possible group-related criminal activities within the hospitality sector. This highlights the need for measures addressing both individual and collective offences.

Division Eleven (Thimphu) consistently reported the highest number of cases and arrests, likely due to its larger hospitality industry and greater police presence. For example, in 2022, there were 17 cases and 20 arrests, which increased to 19 cases and 22 arrests in 2024. By May 2025, Thimphu recorded nine cases with 11 arrests. This data indicates persistent challenges within the capital’s hotel industry.

Division Three (Phuentsholing), a border town, shows a clear upward trend in cases and arrests, rising from one case and one arrest in 2021 to 14 cases and arrests in 2024, with seven cases and arrests reported by May 2025. This steady increase signals emerging challenges in that area, possibly related to its strategic location.

Division Five (Gelephu) also saw growth in cases and arrests, from two cases and arrests in 2022, two cases and three arrests in 2023, to eight cases and nine arrests in 2024. These rising figures underline concerns for crime control in this division as well.

Other divisions such as Division One (Paro) reported more stable and smaller numbers, ranging from three to five cases per year, with arrests closely matching the number of cases. Divisions Seven (Trongsa), Eight (Samdrupjongkhar), Nine (Trashigang), Ten (Mongar), Twelve (Wangduephodrang), and Thirteen (Bumthang) had one or two cases and arrests sporadically over the years, which may reflect either fewer incidents or possible underreporting.

The arrest-to-case ratio is consistently high across divisions, often one-to-one or greater, indicating active law enforcement efforts. However, the data does not provide information on legal outcomes such as convictions. Moreover, the absence of detailed crime categories limits deeper analysis of whether drug offenses, theft, or other types of crimes predominate.

Lastly, the data for 2025 covers only the first five months, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about recent trends. While some divisions show declining or stable numbers early in 2025, it remains premature to confirm these as longer-term trends.

The data points to the need for focused preventive and enforcement strategies in divisions with rising cases, particularly Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and Gelephu. Strengthened cooperation between law enforcement and hotel operators, alongside improved training for staff, will be crucial to reducing crime and improving safety in the hospitality sector.

Colonel Passang Dorji, Deputy Chief of Police, stressed the importance of creating awareness among hotel staff as a key strategy to reduce crime and drug problems. Speaking at the session, he said the main goal is to empower hotel management and employees with the knowledge and responsibility to identify and prevent potential issues before they escalate.

He noted that hotels have increasingly become hotspots for incidents such as battery, theft, sexual offenses, and other material crimes. “Many of these problems could be avoided if hotel staff were more vigilant and aware of the risks,” Colonel Passang Dorji said. “Hotel workers are often the first to interact with guests, and they play a crucial role in ensuring a safe environment. By educating them on common crimes and how to handle suspicious behavior, we aim to reduce conflicts between guests and staff and prevent crimes within hotel premises.”

He further emphasized that hotel management must take greater responsibility in training their employees and implementing standard operating procedures to handle issues professionally. Proper coordination between hotels and police, he added, will be vital in creating safer public spaces and reducing overall crime.

The awareness program is part of the RBP’s broader effort to engage communities and institutions in maintaining law and order through proactive measures rather than reactive enforcement.

In addition to crime prevention, the RBP provided a comprehensive disaster management briefing with a strong focus on fire safety. The briefing included detailed guidelines on emergency response protocols, evacuation procedures, and proper use of firefighting equipment. Demonstrations on fire extinguisher use were conducted, emphasizing preparedness to prevent accidents and minimize damage in the event of fire outbreaks.

The Deputy Chief urged all individuals to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions at all times. By equipping workers and guests with knowledge and tools needed to respond to emergencies, authorities hope to reduce risks associated with fire and other disasters.

Kuenzang Thinley, Vice Chairman of HRAB, announced the association’s commitment to work closely with the RBP to ensure smooth operations in the hospitality sector. He said this was the first program of its kind, aimed at securing the future of the hotel industry by preventing criminal activities.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, he said it was especially crucial for youth engaged in hotel management. The association plans to expand the sensitization program to other dzongkhags, with a special focus on Gelephu and its vision as a crime- and drug-free zone.

Kuenzang Thinley also stressed that hoteliers, like tour guides, should undergo drug testing to help build a peaceful, progressive, and law-abiding society. He urged hoteliers to report any suspicious activity or unusual behavior observed in their establishments.

To strengthen long-term collaboration and ensure continuity, HRAB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RBP during a recent event. The partnership aims to promote mutual cooperation in crime prevention, security awareness, and emergency preparedness across hotels and restaurants under HRAB.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to work closely to safeguard Bhutan’s tourism and service sectors. By joining efforts, HRAB and RBP hope to create a safe, drug-free, and resilient environment to support the future growth of Bhutan’s hospitality industry.