Strategic Roadmap for the Royal Heritage Museum, Trongsa, Bhutan (2024-2029)
1. Vision Statement
To become the premier institution in Bhutan for preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the living heritage of the Wangchuck dynasty and Trongsa’s pivotal role in Bhutan’s history, while serving as a cultural anchor for sustainable community development.
2. Core Mission
Preserve: Safeguard the tangible and intangible heritage related to the monarchy and Trongsa Dzongkhag.
Educate: Engage local and international visitors with immersive, authentic storytelling.
Connect: Strengthen the bond between the monarchy, the people, and Bhutan’s historical identity.
Sustain: Operate as a model of cultural sustainability and community partnership.
3. Strategic Pillars & 5-Year Roadmap
Pillar 1: Heritage Conservation & Curation (2024-2026)
Year 1-2: Complete comprehensive digital archiving of all artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs.
Year 2-3: Establish a “Living Heritage” program to document oral histories from elders on royal ceremonies and traditions.
Year 3-4: Develop a climate-controlled extension for delicate textile and paper preservation.
Year 5: Publish a definitive scholarly catalog of the museum’s collection.
Pillar 2: Immersive Visitor Experience (2024-2027)
Year 1: Redesign exhibit flow with bilingual (Dzongkha/English) interactive labels and subtle thematic lighting.
Year 2: Create an augmented reality (AR) experience that reconstructs key historical moments within the museum space.
Year 3: Develop a curated audio tour featuring voices of historians and community members.
Year 4-5: Install a dedicated “Coronation Room” immersive exhibit using projection mapping.
Pillar 3: Community Engagement & Living Culture (2024-2029)
Year 1: Launch “Heritage Guardians” program training local youth as museum guides and conservators.
Year 2: Initiate a yearly “Trongsa Tshechu Interpretive Festival” in partnership with the dzong.
Year 3-5: Establish artisan-in-residence programs for weaving, painting, and sculpture.
Ongoing: Host monthly community storytelling sessions and school partnership programs.
Pillar 4: Sustainable Operations & Green Museum Model
Year 1-2: Conduct energy audit and transition to solar power with battery backup.
Year 2-3: Implement zero-waste practices and sustainable procurement policy.
Year 4: Achieve “Carbon Neutral Museum” certification.
Year 5: Develop a business model ensuring 40% operational self-sufficiency through ethical cultural tourism.
Pillar 5: Digital & Global Outreach (2024-2028)
Year 1-2: Launch a sophisticated virtual museum with 360-degree tours and online exhibits.
Year 3: Develop educational modules for Bhutanese and international schools.
Year 4-5: Forge partnerships with 3-5 international museums specializing in monarchical heritage.
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Annual visitor satisfaction >95% (local and international)
30% increase in annual local visitor engagement by Year 3
100% of collection digitally cataloged by Year 3
Train and employ 50+ local youth through heritage programs by Year 5
Achieve 40% operational self-sufficiency by Year 5
5. Governance & Partnerships
Steering Committee: Include representatives from Royal privy council, Ministry of Home Affairs, Trongsa Dzongkhag, local entrepreneurs, and heritage experts.
Key Partners: Tourism Council of Bhutan, Department of Culture, Trongsa Dzong Administration, local schools, and international heritage institutions.
6. Funding Strategy
Phase 1 (2024-2025): Government grants + donor funding for capital projects
Phase 2 (2026-2029): Blended model of government support, ethical ticket pricing, cultural philanthropy, and limited high-value cultural experiences
7. Legacy & Long-Term Vision (Beyond 2029)
Establish the museum as a UNESCO-approved center for monarchical heritage studies in the Himalayas.
Evolve into a self-sustaining institution that fuels Trongsa’s cultural economy.
Be recognized as the authentic heart of understanding Bhutan’s journey as a nation
Submitted by:
(Sangay Tashi)
Head