Shawdesh Desk:

Bangladesh tourism never becomes a hit not having required facilities and entertainment which are available abroad.

The tourism accounts for 2.2 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP in 2021 but such share can easily be boosted increasing facilities, experts said.

Various countries of the South Asia are seeking growing influx of tourists offering attractive facilities while Bangladesh sticks to its stereotypes.

In the worst case scenario, the tourists of Bangladesh are going abroad and spreading money there.

The businessmen associated with tourism and stakeholders have demanded policy support of the government to leverage a U-turn.

Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are going ahead with reform measures to re-vibrate tourism. The UAE is going to launch a casino in the light of Las Vegas to attract tourists.

Geographically Bangladesh is in a good position to flourish tourism notwithstanding 2.2 percent share of the sector in GDP in 2021.

Syed Ghulam Qadir, secretary general of World Tourism Network (WTN), said “We cannot expect tourism to flourish closing all doors. Tourists enjoy cultural events while taking dinner in Nepal restaurants. Cox’s Bazar is not equipped with any golf course, park, entertainment centre and adventure tour.”

Reiterating demand for permission to import duty-free alcohol, he said a foreign tourist has to count Tk 1,000-1,500 for beer due to imposition of 500 percent duty in Bangladesh.

“We are turning Cox’s Bazar airport into international one. Foreigners will expect casino, alcohol and other amusements here. The government should allow foreigners to enjoy all facilities restricting those for locals,” he opined.

Abu Taher Md Jaber, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, said master plan dividing Bangladesh into eight regions and 53 clusters is in the final stage.  “The first phase comprises 19 clusters to develop Tanguar haor, Shahpori island, Padma Bridge, Sarankhola in Sundarbans and Paharpur Buddhist Bihar or Somapura Mahavihara tourism spots.

State Minister for Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said “Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have become tourism hubs for having privileges. We are lagging behind.”

About streamlining measures, he said the government is constructing exclusive tourism park at Sabrang and eco-tourism park in Sonadia equipped with all entertainment items for foreign tourists.

“We are designing a tourism master plan which is in the final stage. Different facilities including amusement parks will be developed at tourism spots, if implemented,” he said.

According to BBS 2020 report, the contribution of tourism to GDP accounts for 3.02 percent worth

Tk 76,690 crore plus.

As many as 29, 21,000 Bangladeshi tourists went to various foreign tourism spots and spent nearly Tk 74,959 crore abroad in FY2018-19.