Development of tourism
Friday, 21 August 2009
Ferdous Alam
THE Sundarbans, Bagerhat and Paharpur, among the country's heritage sites have all the potentials to attract tourists, domestic and foreign alike. The Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and Kuakata would be no different.
A clear and accurate market segmentation of the international, regional and domestic tourism is crucial to development of tourism in Bangladesh. As the needs of each segment vary considerably, it is necessary to develop them properly. The development strategy must follow a proper market segmentation.
Lack of funds, low priority, lack of infrastructure, and fewer incentives to the private sector continue to hamper the development of tourism in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is yet to recognise its prospects from eco-tourism, cultural and religious tourism and village or community tourism. A detailed survey is needed to identify and spot its natural, archaeological, historical and cultural resources.
A master plan, based on the survey, would facilitate tourism planning and development. The survey would facilitate the preparation of location maps, classification and evaluation of the resources, data on visitors and other relevant data bank for tourism development.
Tourism can create jobs and contribute toward poverty alleviation. It can be a potential sector for public-private partnership (PPP).
The state-run national tourism organisation should withdraw itself from commercial activities. It should be turned into a facilitator. Its existing structure under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism does not qualify it as the coordinator of tourism development.
Eco-tourism is now the responsibility of the Department of Forest. This situation is not favourable for a harmonised eco-tourism development through the participation of other agencies.
For harmonised tourism development by all the stakeholders, a National Tourism Development Board could be an option.
With infrastructure and services, the Sundarbans, Phaharpur and Bagerhat, can become major tourist resorts. A minimum level of accommodation, restaurants, guides, and the transports for package tours are necessary.
Tourism investments should enjoy tax exemption for a certain period. The government should undertake a study to know the revenue potential from tourism.
Promotional campaigns would make Bangladesh better known to the tourists abroad. The campaigns, in different languages, would attract tourists of different cultures.
THE Sundarbans, Bagerhat and Paharpur, among the country's heritage sites have all the potentials to attract tourists, domestic and foreign alike. The Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and Kuakata would be no different.
A clear and accurate market segmentation of the international, regional and domestic tourism is crucial to development of tourism in Bangladesh. As the needs of each segment vary considerably, it is necessary to develop them properly. The development strategy must follow a proper market segmentation.
Lack of funds, low priority, lack of infrastructure, and fewer incentives to the private sector continue to hamper the development of tourism in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is yet to recognise its prospects from eco-tourism, cultural and religious tourism and village or community tourism. A detailed survey is needed to identify and spot its natural, archaeological, historical and cultural resources.
A master plan, based on the survey, would facilitate tourism planning and development. The survey would facilitate the preparation of location maps, classification and evaluation of the resources, data on visitors and other relevant data bank for tourism development.
Tourism can create jobs and contribute toward poverty alleviation. It can be a potential sector for public-private partnership (PPP).
The state-run national tourism organisation should withdraw itself from commercial activities. It should be turned into a facilitator. Its existing structure under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism does not qualify it as the coordinator of tourism development.
Eco-tourism is now the responsibility of the Department of Forest. This situation is not favourable for a harmonised eco-tourism development through the participation of other agencies.
For harmonised tourism development by all the stakeholders, a National Tourism Development Board could be an option.
With infrastructure and services, the Sundarbans, Phaharpur and Bagerhat, can become major tourist resorts. A minimum level of accommodation, restaurants, guides, and the transports for package tours are necessary.
Tourism investments should enjoy tax exemption for a certain period. The government should undertake a study to know the revenue potential from tourism.
Promotional campaigns would make Bangladesh better known to the tourists abroad. The campaigns, in different languages, would attract tourists of different cultures.