Under the proposed partnership, the three organisations aim to attract long-term real estate investment to support Gelephu Mindfulness City’s development and create new opportunities for Bhutan. Each partner will contribute its respective expertise to the initiative, combining international hospitality experience, investment capabilities and support for the city’s development.
Aman Group will bring its globally recognised luxury hospitality and lifestyle expertise, building on its legacy as the first luxury operator in Bhutan, where it has maintained a presence for over two decades. Patience Capital Group (PCG) will contribute its experience in fund management and real estate, while GDL-Raven will support the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The collaboration extends beyond an investment initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to aligning economic growth with respect for nature, culture and collective wellbeing. It supports His Majesty The King’s vision of establishing Gelephu Mindfulness City as a destination where economic progress is guided by the principles of Gross National Happiness.
The MoU signing coincided with a historic day for Gelephu. Under Project 108, a Royal Initiative of His Majesty The King, 108 Jangchub Chortens, or stupas of enlightenment, each measuring 15 metres in height, were raised in a single day along the Mao Chhu river. The construction involved tens of thousands of volunteers. The chortens mark the beginning of the city's development and reflect the values intended to guide its growth.
The agreement brings together Ken Chan, Founder and CEO of Patience Capital Group; Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group; and Gelay Jamtsho, Chairman of Green Digital Limited.
Vladislav Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group, said Bhutan had held a special place in the group's legacy since it became the first global luxury brand in the Kingdom more than twenty years ago. He highlighted the shared philosophy of serenity, respect for culture and harmony with nature between Aman Group and Bhutan.
Doronin said it was an honour to work alongside His Majesty The King on Gelephu Mindfulness City, describing it as an extraordinary vision for the future of Bhutan and its hospitality sector. He added that the project would draw on more than three decades of Aman Group's expertise in creating transformational experiences through considered design, intuitive service and privacy. He also expressed the ambition to contribute to a destination that would inspire future generations.
Ken Chan of Patience Capital Group said the organisation saw significant promise in combining PCG's investment management capabilities in tourism-related assets, Aman Group's distinctive hospitality approach and His Majesty's vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City. He said the collaboration was expected to attract long-term investment, support meaningful development and create new opportunities for Bhutanese people.
Gelay Jamtsho, Chairman of Green Digital Limited, the parent company of GDL-Raven, highlighted Aman Group's longstanding presence in Bhutan. He said Aman was the first international hotel brand to enter the Kingdom and had helped raise standards across the hospitality industry over the past two decades. He added that Aman Group and Patience Capital Group were the kind of partners Gelephu Mindfulness City needed to build lasting value for Gelephu and Bhutan.
The signing of the MoU marks the beginning of the partnership's work. However, details of the proposed fund and the partnership arrangements remain subject to further discussions and approvals. The parties said further announcements would follow as the plans progress.
Gelephu Mindfulness City is a Special Administrative Region in southern Bhutan, envisioned by His Majesty The King as an economic hub for South Asia. Its development is based on the principles of Gross National Happiness, with key sectors including finance, green energy, health and wellness, education, agriculture, and spiritual and cultural heritage. Further information is available at GMC's official website, gmc.bt.
Aman Group has established itself as one of the world's most respected luxury hospitality operators over more than three decades. Its portfolio comprises 36 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 21 destinations, with a pipeline of future projects under construction. The group follows an uncompromising approach to service and consistently maintains one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry, setting a global benchmark for operational excellence.
In recent years, Aman Group has expanded its lifestyle offerings beyond its hospitality properties. Its portfolio includes Aman Skincare, launched in 2018; supplement range Sva, introduced in 2020; Aman Fine Fragrance, launched in 2020; ready-to-wear collection Aman Essentials, introduced in 2021; performance skincare line Aman Essential Skin, launched in 2023; and Aman Interiors, introduced in 2023, offering bespoke furniture designs inspired by the world of Aman.
Innovation remains a central part of the group's philosophy. In 2020, Aman introduced Janu, a new hotel brand whose name means 'soul' in Sanskrit. Janu focuses on transformative spaces, innovative dining destinations and state-of-the-art wellness facilities at an unprecedented scale, offering a distinct expression of hospitality. Its inaugural property, Janu Tokyo, opened in March 2024, while several forthcoming Janu hotels are already in development. More information is available at Aman.com.
Founded in 2019, Patience Capital Group is an international real estate and investment management company headquartered in Singapore, with an office in Tokyo. The company manages capital for institutional and private investors worldwide, focusing on hospitality, lifestyle and residential assets. It also provides real estate development advisory services. Further information is available at patiencecapital.group.
GDL-Raven is a subsidiary of Green Digital Limited, established to undertake strategic fund and asset management activities in support of Gelephu Mindfulness City's economic development.
The proposed partnership marks a significant step towards bringing international hospitality and investment expertise into Bhutan's vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City, although the proposed fund structure and final partnership arrangements will depend on further discussions and approvals.
About The Author
Comment List