The money a tourist carries with him while visiting a country is not ill-gotten. He saves it throughout the year and spends his vacation either at home or abroad visiting places of his interest. While choosing a place of tourism interest, he wants to get his money's worth. He wants to breathe free in a tourist-friendly environment. He likes to get affordable accommodation, easy and comfortable transports to visit places of his interest and to get back to his hotel without being pestered by beggars on the streets.
A tourist is keen to savour natural beauty or archaeological treasures or the majesty of the sea and enjoy programmes that reflect the culture and tradition of a country he visits. He requires an environment free from worries likely to be caused by pick-pockets or terrorists. He is not ready to be stranded in a hotel because of road blockades or political turmoil.
Can Bangladesh arrange such a tourist-friendly environ? If not, it will simply be squandering substantial amount of money from the state exchequer in visiting foreign countries to promote tourism in Bangladesh. Such costly trips will certainly benefit the promoters as they will undertake the exposition trips with state money and go for shopping. And on return, they will hold news conferences to talk about the vast untapped potential of tourism in Bangladesh. The end-result will be nil as it had been in the past.
The tourism fairs in Dhaka in the past were simply an exercise in futility. Some quarters made some hefty amount of money in the name of branding Bangladesh Tourism by arranging seminars and exhibitions for different organisations. They did it with money taken either as donation or fees for the stalls. On the other hand, large amounts of money were also netted in the name of advertisements. Through mere tricks of publicity, some of them even became General Sales Agents of foreign airlines or were included as members of the board of directors of the national airline.
But tourism has significantly boosted many economies in the world including some of those in South Asia. In 2010, about $852 billion business was generated globally at a high growth rate of 7.0 per cent, which was 5.0 per cent in the previous year. In the coming days, it is predicted to witness a still higher growth rate. With the passage of time more and more countries across the world are showing increased interest in tourism, investing bigger amounts and also reaping higher benefits.
In terms of the global scenario, only 1.0 per cent of world tourism transactions is generated in the SAARC region, where India alone seize almost half of it. One per cent of the total business means $10 billion, where Bangladesh earned only $78.3 million in the year 2010, which is below 0.01 per cent. Several countries of this region earn much more every year.
In fact, it is not at all difficult for Bangladesh to achieve $1.0 billion from its tourism sector. We need to ensure that there would be one million tourists arriving per year, and provide facilities so that each tourist spends around $1,000. This target is not too ambitious considering the varieties Bangladesh can offer.
Even $78.3 million earned by Bangladesh in 2010 was not spent by real tourists. To hide the actual scenario, the authorities preferred to list foreigners arriving in Dhaka to attend seminars or sign business deals or on diplomatic assignments as tourists! In fact, it is very easy to record it from the lists of foreign guests being maintained by hotels.
But it is a piece of good news for Bangladesh that tourists who usually visit the destinations of the developed world are now looking for new and unexplored destinations. The member-countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and its surrounding regions, which are less familiar to the world, are getting attention now.
It must not be denied that Bangladesh has immense prospect in the tourism sector with its natural beauty, historical and archaeological attractions, architectural structures, local culture and lifestyle, colourful indigenous entities and different festivals. But who will provide security to the foreign tourists who bring in dollars, pounds, euros and other currencies to spend in Bangladesh? Foreign bag-pack tourists in Kolkata are seen taking food at way-wide hotels without being stared at by locals or being disturbed in any way.
It is true, domestic tourism has recorded sizeable growth. Local tourists, having no other options, take their family members to the longest beach in Cox's Bazar amid hazards. We have seen how youngsters lost their lives in violent waves that took them to their watery graves. There are no safety and security arrangements in the beaches which are often risky in high tide.
That is why even domestic tourists now prefer to fly abroad.
Without making a strong foundation, it is self-defeating to build a multi-storied building. None will like to stay there because the building may collapse like Rana Plaza at any time. Tourists too, both domestic and foreign, will see the ground realities in Bangladesh first before they undertake journeys. Any propaganda or exhibition will be of very little use. Moreover, the real situation in Bangladesh is on finger-tips of every body either at home or abroad through the internet. Nothing can be hidden.
The government needs to take stock of all these factors including practical hazards or political situation before it frames a comprehensive tourism policy. Organisations like the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and the Bangladesh Tourism Board will have to do something about it if other stakeholders are unable to create enabling conditions for the purpose.
arjayster@gmail.com
Mere slogans won\\\'t attract tourists
Rahman Jahangir | Published: June 05, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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