The Royal Institute for Tourism and Hospitality in Thimphu was formally inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in the presence of high officials and foreign diplomats on 15 October 2010. It was the first institute for tourism and hospitality management on international level in Bhutan.
The institute located on 36 acres in upper Motithang is equipped with high-tech power house, solar technology, equipped with modern kitchen and laundry facilitates, class rooms, IT rooms, Library, hostels, and offices for the faculty and administration.
The Institute will initially offer a diploma program in tourism and Hotel management, which would be up graded to a higher degree offering institute with a vision of becoming the regional center of excellence.
The institute was constructed at the cost of Nu. 480 million with financial support from the Government of Austria and the Royal Government of Bhutan The first academic program of the institute began since August 2010.