Boosting tourism sector
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Tourism is the fastest growing service-industry in the world today and prospects of it are very bright. There are some countries that have traditionally lived off tourism such as Switzerland in Europe. Other countries in Asia, Latin America and elsewhere have joined this elite group of countries over the years known for their tourism proving the point of the immense potentials of it worldwide. Tourism can be a money-spinner for a country . Hundreds of thousands of people can find regular or seasonal employment from working as tourist guides, souvenir sellers, attendants, tour operators, etc . From the need to build hotels, motels, resorts and other accommodations and infrastructures, the tourism sector can be a big source of local and foreign investments for the economy. Earnings in foreign currencies from spending by foreign tourists and income generated by the tourism sector are seen to be a major part of the foreign currency earnings and gross domestic product (GDP) of many countries.
When this is the position of tourism round the world, Bangladesh presents a sorry case of untapped potentials from tourism. It is really regrettable because it has many attractions for tourists. There are some countries with far less or no natural and other endowments for attracting tourists, which have been successful in drawing large number of foreign tourists on a sustainable basis. But Bangladesh with so many plus points such as possessing the world's largest unpolluted sea beach, the world's largest mangrove forest and its wildlife, its centuries old archaeological and heritage sites, its many scenic spots and places of natural and ecological interests, its vibrant culture, etc., is still not imprinted in the minds of overseas tourists as a place where they should be going to be truly pleased with the outcome.
This is a pointer to the failure of governmental policies and that of the lone official organisation, the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (BPC) which has maintained a stranglehold over the tourism sector without providing any notable benefits. The BPC has been a failure in its promotional activities or enhancing the appeal of Bangladesh in the eyes of the foreign tourists. It was also constrained by neglect or a practical vacuum in official policies in relation to this highly prospective sector. The BPC could not complete its contemplated infrastructure building with pittances it received from national budgets for tourism development. A guideline for the development for tourism was adopted some sixteen years ago and an inter-ministerial meeting was held only once during this entire period to discuss the subject. Thus, the step-motherly attitude shown by the government towards tourism is obvious.
What is required, therefore, is a fresh look at this sector and addressing its problems and prospects on a realistic and time-bound basis. A report in this paper last Sunday focused on a seminar which was held the day before that suggested a dynamic approach to the tourism sector with public and private sector collaboration at the heart of such an approach. The discussants proposed further whittling down of the monolithic presence and control of the BPC over tourism giving way to private sector's participation in it. Government should maintain the minimum regulatory control over private enterprises in the sector to maintain quality of services. It should also be responsible for the general security of tourist spots. Substantial increases in the development funds for the tourism sector is also a very pressing necessity. The funds will have to be spent in a well planned, transparent and accountable manner on facilitation works, basing on which private sector operators will come forward to build tourism-related projects of their own at the existing and prospective sites of interest for tourists. On its part, government has, indeed, to recognize this sector as one of great possibilities. It should not be stingy in making its one-time investment for creating basic helpful conditions for the full-fledged blossoming of it under private sector initiatives.
When this is the position of tourism round the world, Bangladesh presents a sorry case of untapped potentials from tourism. It is really regrettable because it has many attractions for tourists. There are some countries with far less or no natural and other endowments for attracting tourists, which have been successful in drawing large number of foreign tourists on a sustainable basis. But Bangladesh with so many plus points such as possessing the world's largest unpolluted sea beach, the world's largest mangrove forest and its wildlife, its centuries old archaeological and heritage sites, its many scenic spots and places of natural and ecological interests, its vibrant culture, etc., is still not imprinted in the minds of overseas tourists as a place where they should be going to be truly pleased with the outcome.
This is a pointer to the failure of governmental policies and that of the lone official organisation, the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (BPC) which has maintained a stranglehold over the tourism sector without providing any notable benefits. The BPC has been a failure in its promotional activities or enhancing the appeal of Bangladesh in the eyes of the foreign tourists. It was also constrained by neglect or a practical vacuum in official policies in relation to this highly prospective sector. The BPC could not complete its contemplated infrastructure building with pittances it received from national budgets for tourism development. A guideline for the development for tourism was adopted some sixteen years ago and an inter-ministerial meeting was held only once during this entire period to discuss the subject. Thus, the step-motherly attitude shown by the government towards tourism is obvious.
What is required, therefore, is a fresh look at this sector and addressing its problems and prospects on a realistic and time-bound basis. A report in this paper last Sunday focused on a seminar which was held the day before that suggested a dynamic approach to the tourism sector with public and private sector collaboration at the heart of such an approach. The discussants proposed further whittling down of the monolithic presence and control of the BPC over tourism giving way to private sector's participation in it. Government should maintain the minimum regulatory control over private enterprises in the sector to maintain quality of services. It should also be responsible for the general security of tourist spots. Substantial increases in the development funds for the tourism sector is also a very pressing necessity. The funds will have to be spent in a well planned, transparent and accountable manner on facilitation works, basing on which private sector operators will come forward to build tourism-related projects of their own at the existing and prospective sites of interest for tourists. On its part, government has, indeed, to recognize this sector as one of great possibilities. It should not be stingy in making its one-time investment for creating basic helpful conditions for the full-fledged blossoming of it under private sector initiatives.