The School

The Bongde Institute of Hotel & Tourism (BIHT) was originally established in 2006, and until 2014 it was operating as a resort. A transformative partnership in 2013 led to its conversion into a hospitality training institute, aimed at equipping unemployed Bhutanese youth with practical, industry-ready skills. Significant investments were made to refurbish the facilities, aligning them with international hospitality standards while maintaining the operational 3-star hotel, which continues to serve as a valuable platform for on-the-job training. Since March 2019, under the leadership of Mr. Sonam Tshering, the institute has seen strengthened management and a renewed focus on training quality and accessibility. BIHT now offers six-month certificate programs in food production, food & beverage service, and room division, with a mission to make Bhutanese youth employable and position the institute and resort as a center of excellence in hospitality training.

Partner : Bhutan Learning Exchange Foundation (BLEF)

BLEF was established in Bhutan in 2009 to promote Bhutanese culture and create opportunities for global knowledge exchange. It connects local citizens with people from around the world to foster mutual learning. Since then, it has opened two hotels schools, one in Bhutan and one in Myanmar. BLEF’s goals include providing quality vocational education, enabling cultural exchange, and transferring knowledge from experienced professionals to young learners. It also promotes sustainable eco-projects by offering expertise, training, and funding to both Bhutanese and Burmese communities.

EHLsmile's involvement 

• Project Management: opening of the third hospitality training Institute of Bhutan. The assignment included curriculum development, financial planning, on-site project management, logistic, staff recruitment & training and pre-opening.

• Public-private partnerships & public relations: transformed the institute from sole proprietorship to Foreign Direct Investment structure to increase investors and ensure a sustainable future. Negotiated and sealed scholarship programs with Ministry of Labour. Created national renowned PR events to increase brand awareness. Established vast network of local and international sponsors and supporters worldwide.

• Leadership, management & coaching: accountable for operational management, financial management and HR. Board member of the Bhutan Learning Exchange Foundation. Managing relations with all stakeholders: responsible for negotiating between government, local team and the Dutch-Swiss foundation.

• Operations & innovation: accountable for delivering financial- and managerial (weekly/quarterly) reporting, for the consistency of quality in work processes and deliverables of the institute. Definition of the strategic orientation through a four-year development plan.