Druk Asia Team

Sonam Younten

For more than a decade, Sonam Younten has helped travellers from around the world discover the best of Bhutan through thoughtfully curated journeys. His extensive experience in Bhutan's tourism industry, combined with a deep understanding of international traveller expectations, has made him a trusted expert in showcasing the Kingdom to global audiences.

Having worked closely with guests, travel partners, and industry stakeholders from around the world, Sonam brings extensive knowledge in destination management, travel operations, and customer engagement. Before focusing fully on tourism, he also gained valuable hospitality experience running a bar, giving him a strong appreciation for personalised service, attention to detail, and creating memorable guest experiences.

Outside of work, Sonam enjoys fishing and golfing, interests that reflect his love for the outdoors and the slower pace of life that Bhutan is known for. His passion for sharing Bhutan's culture, landscapes, and way of life, together with his commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences, enables visitors to explore Bhutan with confidence, authenticity, and a deeper appreciation of the country and its people.

Sangay Dorji

After spending nine years in Singapore helping travellers discover the magic of Bhutan, Sangay returned home and now resides in the picturesque valley of Paro, where he continues to share his passion for his homeland with visitors from around the world.

Originally from eastern Bhutan, with ancestral roots in Trongsa and family connections spanning Gelephu, Punakha, and Paro, Sangay offers an authentic perspective on the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. His deep local knowledge, combined with years of experience in the travel industry, enables him to craft meaningful journeys that go beyond the guidebooks, allowing guests to experience Bhutan through the eyes of someone who proudly calls it home.

Outside of work, Sangay enjoys painting miniature figures, a hobby that combines patience, creativity, and precision. Whether carefully bringing a tiny model to life with a paintbrush or designing memorable journeys through Bhutan, he finds joy in the finer details, believing that it's often the smallest touches that create the most lasting impressions.

Ugyen Dema

Ugyen has spent more than a decade helping travellers experience Bhutan through journeys that are meaningful, authentic, and closely connected to local communities. Her strong commitment to community-based travel reflects the pride she takes in sharing her homeland in a way that respects its culture, traditions, and people.

Having lived in Singapore for nearly a decade, Ugyen understands the expectations and travel preferences of international visitors while remaining deeply connected to Bhutan. From cultural festivals and spiritual encounters to immersive local experiences, she enjoys helping travellers discover the many different sides of the Kingdom beyond its well-known highlights, while creating well-planned regional itineraries for those exploring South Asia.

Her deep local insight, trusted relationships across the country, and unmatched operational precision allow travellers to experience Bhutan with greater confidence, cultural understanding, and a genuine connection to the Kingdom and its people.

Sujan Subba

Sujan Subba began her career in the hospitality industry before pursuing her passion for showcasing Bhutan through meaningful and authentic travel experiences. She takes pride in helping visitors discover the Kingdom beyond its famous landmarks, introducing them to its rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm-hearted people.

Having worked closely with travellers from around the world, Sujan understands the importance of creating personalised journeys that reflect each visitor's interests and pace. From hidden valleys and pristine forests to vibrant local communities and cultural traditions, she enjoys helping guests experience the many different sides of Bhutan.

Her love for hiking, trekking, and the outdoors, together with her background in hospitality and active lifestyle, enables travellers to explore Bhutan with confidence while developing a deeper appreciation for the Kingdom's natural beauty, culture, and people.

Inez Bratahalim

A journey to Bhutan while living in Singapore sparked Inez's enduring connection with the Kingdom and inspired a passion that would shape the next chapter of her career. Captivated by Bhutan's breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and unique philosophy of happiness, she returned to Indonesia determined to introduce more people to this extraordinary destination.

As Druk Asia's representative in Jakarta, Inez has spent more than six years helping travellers discover Bhutan through carefully curated and personalised journeys. Drawing on her own firsthand experience, she understands the excitement and anticipation of visiting Bhutan for the first time, and works closely with each traveller to create itineraries that reflect their interests, pace, and aspirations.

Her genuine enthusiasm for Bhutan, together with her commitment to personalised service and attention to detail, enables visitors to explore the Kingdom with confidence while creating unforgettable memories and meaningful connections in one of the world's most remarkable destinations.

Lizam Dorji

Lizam has built her career at the intersection of hospitality, events, and tourism, bringing international experience together with a deep understanding of Bhutan's unique destination appeal. After spending more than five years in Thailand's competitive hotel and convention sector, she returned to Bhutan to pioneer the country's MICE and special events industry.

Having led the planning and execution of Fortune 500 summits, United Nations conferences, destination weddings, and bespoke private events, Lizam brings extensive knowledge in event management, destination planning, and client engagement. As CEO of MICE Bhutan, she works closely with organisations and private clients to create purposeful meetings, incentive trips, and memorable celebrations tailored to their vision in Bhutan.

Her passion for showcasing Bhutan through meaningful experiences, together with her operational expertise and commitment to responsible tourism, enables clients to host seamless events while discovering the Kingdom's culture, landscapes, and warm hospitality with confidence.

In 2026, Lizam was anointed 'Face of the Future' by PATA.

Glenda Foong

Over a career spanning 27 years, Glenda Foong has dedicated herself to creating meaningful travel experiences that connect people, cultures, and communities across the world. She spent 18 years leading EL AL Israel Airlines in Singapore, where she developed deep expertise in Israel's tourism landscape, business travel, and cultural exchanges while building strong relationships across the global travel industry.

Having worked with airlines, tourism boards, travel partners, and international clients, Glenda brings extensive knowledge in destination marketing, tourism development, and strategic partnerships. Her insider knowledge enables travellers to discover Israel beyond the usual attractions, from authentic culinary experiences and local encounters to meaningful cultural connections. She has also played a key role in developing tourism programmes for Bhutan, Palau, and Timor-Leste, helping introduce these destinations to international markets.

Her passion for creating authentic travel experiences, together with her extensive industry network and commitment to destination development, enables travellers to explore each destination with greater confidence, deeper cultural understanding, and memorable experiences that extend far beyond the ordinary.

Ashley Chen

An avid traveller and co-author of Bhutan Travelog, Ashley Chen is passionate about helping more people discover Bhutan through authentic storytelling and thoughtful destination marketing. Her background in destination marketing combines strategic thinking with a genuine appreciation for Bhutan's culture, landscapes, and unique way of life.

Having worked closely on tourism marketing, content strategy, and traveller engagement, Ashley brings extensive knowledge in destination storytelling, digital marketing, and customer experience. She is passionate about helping travellers better understand Bhutan before they arrive, creating meaningful connections through authentic stories, practical insights, and thoughtfully crafted travel experiences.

Her commitment to sharing Bhutan with the world, together with her marketing expertise and traveller-first approach, enables visitors to discover the Kingdom with confidence, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation of its people, traditions, and enduring values.

Cipto

Cipto joined Druk Asia after graduating from Singapore Management University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Business Management, majoring in Finance. Before entering the travel industry, he gained experience with leading organisations including Tata Group, JP Morgan Chase, and Aberdeen Asset Management.

What began as a visit to Bhutan soon became a lasting passion. Inspired by the country's culture, landscapes, and values, Cipto made it his mission to help more people discover Bhutan through thoughtfully planned and personalised journeys.

Born in Indonesia and educated in Singapore, Cipto speaks English, Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, and Chinese. He has lived in Singapore for more than 20 years and has visited Bhutan over 10 times, giving him first-hand knowledge of the country's regions, culture, and travel experiences.

Joni Herison

Joni Herison founded Druk Asia with a simple vision: to help more people discover the extraordinary Kingdom of Bhutan through authentic, thoughtfully curated journeys. As Managing Director of one of the pioneering Bhutan tour operators based outside the country, he has spent more than a decade building meaningful connections between Bhutan and travellers from around the world.

Having travelled to Bhutan more than 40 times since 2008, Joni has developed an intimate understanding of the Kingdom's culture, landscapes, and people. A co-author of Bhutan Travelog, he combines firsthand experience with deep destination knowledge, working closely with tourism partners and the Bhutanese community to champion Bhutan as a unique and meaningful travel destination. His longstanding relationships and genuine affection for Bhutan have earned him the trust and friendship of many across the country.

Joni's passion for sharing Bhutan, together with his commitment to responsible tourism and exceptional service, continues to shape Druk Asia's approach to travel. His goal is to help every visitor experience the Kingdom with confidence, authenticity, and a lasting appreciation for its unique culture, values, and way of life.