Bandarban: The sunny horizon of tourism

Bandarban -- 'the roof of Bangladesh', as described by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (the National Tourism Organization of Bangladesh), is a hidden paradise away from the hustle and bustle of our daily life. Bandarban is regarded as one of the most attractive travel destinations in Bangladesh.   
Tourism is seasonal in pattern in Bandarban, and can be divided into peak and off-peak season. It has been estimated that almost half a million tourists visit Bandarban during peak season (Oct-March). And in off season (April-September) almost 0.15 million tourists visit Bandarban making a total of almost 0.70 million tourists per year. A crude estimate shows the total receipt from tourism sector in Bandarban stands at around Taka 100 crore (12.5 million US $) per year.
Bandarban is a destination for young people as it attracts them for adventure tourism. Majority of them (90%) fall into the age range between 15 to 34 years, followed by 7% into 45-54 years. Most of them travel to Bandarban with their friend circle. Purpose of their visit is adventure and leisure (70% for adventure and 26% for leisure and recreation). Main motivation to visit Bandarban is seeing the serene hills and forest, enjoying the natural environment, adventure activities (mainly hill trekking, walking through Jhiripath or waterway, boating), and sensing peace and tranquillity.
Tourists visiting Bandarban are mainly domestic tourists. However a small number of foreign tourists also visit Bandarban on official jobs. In 2011, 1036 and in 2012, 1205 foreign tourists visited.
Day by day the total number of tourist arrival is increasing. It is hoped that it will continue, as a craze has been developed within the tourist to spend their leisure time in Bandarban. With diversified and quality services offered to the tourists, tourism can be the single most contributing sector in the economy of Bandarban.  A huge number of young unemployed people may be absorbed to work in the tourism industry round the year.
Few years before, there had been some insurgency problems in the hill districts restricting free entrance and movement of the civilians from other areas. Consequently, tourism sector of the area was untapped and neglected. However, with the enactment of Peace Accord in 1997, the domestic tourists were allowed to get in up to certain spatial radius. Now the situation has been improved and the domestic visitors are allowed to go into deeper areas of hill district with permission from the BGB -- a paramilitary force of the government.
Regarding the investment climate in tourism sector, till now no favourable situation could be seen because of two reasons: first, before 1997 Peace Accord, economic and business activities were almost at a halt, which takes time to rejuvenate and, secondly, after 1997 Peace Accord, the land management including sale, purchase, lease, transfer etc. has been vested in the hands of the District Council. The article 26 of the accord says: "….. no land, including those suitable for  settlement, within the boundaries of Hill District shall be given in settlement including giving lease, purchased, sold, and transferred without prior approval of the Council …"  
This provision of the accord does not encourage the investors to come up with big investment in economic and business sectors including tourism. As a result, in spite of having greater opportunity for establishing SMEs in the fields of food processing, tourism and travelling, accommodation etc. the hill district is lagging behind.
Tourism Growth Trends and Opportunities:
Bandarban has become a major attraction for tourists since last few years. All the four highest peaks of Bangladesh -- Tahjindong (830 meters), MowdokMual (1052 meters), and Keokradong (986 metres), SakaHaphong (1063meters) -- are located in Bandarban. Raikhiang Lake, the highest lake in Bangladesh and the panoramic Boga lake are also situated there. Beside Bengalis, more than fifteen ethnic minorities the Bomong, Marma, Mru, Tanchangya, Khyang, Tripura, Lushei, Khumi, Chak, Kuki, Chakma, Rakhine or Arakanese, Riyang, Usui and Pankho are living in Bandarban. Law and order situation in Bandarban is simply the best in Bangladesh.
Number of hotels is increasing in Bandarban during last five years. In 2010 there were about 40 to 50 hotels/motels/cottages in Bandarban district which  increased to almost 80 in 2013 having approximately 4500 beds. In peak season from October to March the average occupancy rate is around 60% to100%. But in off-peak season the occupancy rate is 20% to 40% in whole district. The occupancy rates vary from budget to classy hotels. There are almost 120 substandard restaurants scatteredly located throughout the district.
Why people visit Bandarban?  In several research works on Bandarban, it has been found that Bandarban is more popular for adventure type of tourism. Side by side Bandarban has been a good destination for the people who want to have a relaxed time amidst nature.  However whatever is the motivation for tourism, the tourists need some basic facilities and services in the destination.  
Unlike the plane land the CHT by virtue of its geographical configuration, inaccessibility, remote location from the main economic centres is having  facilities for limited economic activities. The people have to depend on widespread Jumm farming. Agri-products are produced  little and mostly used for self-consumption. Bandraban does not have  significantly  big or medium sized  industry.
Apart from traditional cultivation and agriculture, this hilly district has such a tremendous untapped tourism resources which could be turned into most worthy and prodigious economic bolster.  
As most of the tourists visit Bandarban for adventure, it may be recommended that Bandarban should be branded as Adventure tourism ground.  Side by side about one-fourth of the tourists visit Bandarban for rest, relax and recreation. For this segment of market some specific activities are more important; these are good accommodation, local cultural programs, entertainments, shopping etc.
Tourists visiting Bandarban can be segmented into two categories: the wonder lust tourists (adventure type of tourism like trekking, boating) and the sun lust tourists (who want to have a relaxed time amidst nature).
Separate strategies are needed to develop tourism facilities for these two specific market segments.
In developing the trekking and track (simple walking between hills and plains) tourism, viable and safe trekking routes involving the tribal settlements should be identified. In different spots nearer to the remote tribal villages, a planned eco-friendly camping ground may be established. All the necessary tourism services including accommodation and fooding be provided by the villagers, thus encouraging the community to go for community based tourism concept.
In cluster destination points, good camping grounds shall have minimum tourist facilities like good accommodation, eating and drinking, refreshments etc. At present the trekkers are accommodated in  tin-shed indigenous houses having no good facilities for sleep and wash. A trekker expects at least a bit comfortable night-stay after a whole-day trekking. Now the trekkers carry dry food and fruits as there exists no formal restaurant in the places where the trekkers have to take their lunch, dinner and breakfast. Some time they carry live chicks, eggs and request the local people to cook for them. So, establishment of restaurants in camp grounds and train the tribal girls in Bangla recipe could be good source of income for the local community.   
Guiding has become a good source of income for the local youths. But the guides are all self-made and self-developed. They do not have formal training in guiding. Local youths could be trained in guide services  which may add value to it. Presently no tourist is allowed to go to deeper destinations without local guides from Ruma.     
Tourism activities in the camps by the local people could be diversified in several ways. For example, cultural show by the tribal people could be arranged for money in camps where the tourists and the trekkers have a night-stay. The tribal people feel proud to exhibit their own cultural performances. At specific camping grounds, shops could be established to sell the locally produced handicrafts, and also items needed for trekking.
Strategies for sun lust tourists should be a bit different by providing more comfort, more entertainments, good transport and good food. The private sector may come forward to invest the facilities for the sun lust visitors.  
Government should formulate policy to encourage the investors to build eco-resorts in natural setting. But as the outsiders cannot buy land in the hilly district, so at least some form of joint venture be initiated by the Hill district Council to attract the investors.
The old-fashioned vehicles (chander gari) operating in different routes are not suitable for this segment of market. Instead, comfortable and hassle-free transport system should be encouraged to ply on the hilly roads. Local people should be encouraged to be involved in tourism business, especially in arranging the local tour programs where itineraries be developed covering the attractions of Bandraban.
Bandarban is a unique destination for the travellers. The main objectives of the visit were relax & recreation, and adventure. About three-fourth of the tourists go to Bandarban for adventure.
Unfortunately till now few number of basic tourism infrastructure and superstructure have been developed by any agency including the government. Road communication is very undeveloped and painstaking. Only a few number of hotels and hill-side resorts have been developed by the private entrepreneurs. The local tribal people try to provide the accommodation and other facilities for the tourists who brave to penetrate into impassable areas as a part of their trekking exercise. Many tourists have to arrange for their own accommodation by carrying tents. The tribal people are not trained in hospitality. They do not have access to capital for establishing eco-friendly cottages and other facilities for the tourists.
The district and local administration of Bandarban seems to be tourism-friendly. But indifferent government policy along with lack of experience and expertise, coupled with fund crisis, the local administration cannot play vital role in developing this tremendously potential sector.
Bandarban ranks 2nd in the list of most poverty stricken districts of Bangladesh. So these poor and mostly illiterate people do not have the capability to develop tourism establishments and run these with minimum professional standard.
Consequently, intervention is needed from outside in the fields of formulating tourism planning, creating eco-friendly infrastructure and superstructure, training the people in hospitality, making them innovative in exploring and exploiting varied income generating tourism related activities.
Considering the hyper-sensitive state of affairs in these hill districts, the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs along with the Hill District Council can be the main actors for developing tourism sector there. Other donor agencies may channelise their expertise and required funds through the Ministry. Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and the honourable King of Bandarban should also be involved in this process. A tri-partite syndicate comprising Public, Private and Community heads could be formulated to metamorphose Bandarban into one of the most attractive tourism destinations of south Asian region.
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The author of the article is a Professor at the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Dhaka University and he can be reached at: [email protected]