The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is positioning itself as a high-quality destination that can provide both health and well-being. On Friday, the Tourism Council of Bhutan partnered with Virtuoso, a by-invitation-only organization comprising over 330 agencies with more than 7,200 travel advisors in the world and more than 1,300 travel providers and premier destinations.

Bhutan fits the description found in Virtuoso’s recent 2012 Luxe Report that said elite travelers are seeking “authentic experiences in new destinations; rest and relaxation; and personal enrichment.” Through the alliance, Bhutan will be connected to Virtuoso’s affluent clientele, including World Elite MasterCard holders, as well as to its member agencies, affording the tourism council the opportunity to educate travel providers about Bhutan and to offer travelers exclusive specials and privileged access.

Along with the destination itself now being a part of Virtuoso, two Bhutanese tour operators (Dharma Adventures Bhutan and Bhutan Safaris and Tours) and a Bhutanese resort group (Amankora) are also members of the network. In June, at the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley announced plans to convert all his nation's agricultural land to organic farms.