Heritage sites for cultural tourism
Mohammad Shahidul Islam | Wednesday, 6 August 2008
THE cultural heritage of Bangladesh and his archaeological wealth is yet to be projected and exploited to attract tourists. Cultural tourism can change Bangladesh's image to tourists, both domestic and foreign.
Not many in Bangladesh are aware of its cultural heritage. Its importance to national identity and existence is overlooked. Tourism based on culture and heritage would make the people aware of their heritage and can develop the country's image.
For initiating heritage tourism, Bangladesh needs to pay attention to conserve heritage sites. Heritage conservation would bring numerous benefits to the nation. New jobs, new businesses and higher property value, well-managed tourism besides other benefits, would help improve the quality of life.
At the same time attention should be paid to ensure that tourism does not destroy the very heritage that attracts visitors. Tourism, a competitive, sophisticated and fast-changing industry, presents its own challenges a resource-based and sustainable industry, heritage tourism puts pressure on roads, airports, water supplies, and public services like police and fire brigade and other infrastructure.
Heritage tourism, promotion would call for an experts' committee to conserve heritage sites. The committee should make recommendations for implementation. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the national tourism organisation, should be involved in the process.
l A wide-ranging development plan for heritage sites should be programmed.
l Development plans must look for the suggestions and guidance of heritage experts, social scientists and environmental experts.
l Participation of local people of respective heritage site should be ensured in the scheme.
l The need for deeper and broader participation and awareness building among the citizens and civil society at large should be considered.
l Books, reports, brochures, guides, maps, and audio-visual products -- need to be brought out for different users.
l Identifying the need to develop human resources, potential and capacity building, assistance of UNESCO and concerned ministries to train the personnel concerned must be considered.
The question is indeed how to prioritise heritage conservation as an important aspect of a country's overall development including tourism, and to set up an appropriate framework for its integration and implementation within existing systems of development and management.
Why many people in the country are not aware of heritage tourism needs consideration. First, one cannot get everything in books throughout his or her life and second, domestic tourism is yet to be popular. The clich
Not many in Bangladesh are aware of its cultural heritage. Its importance to national identity and existence is overlooked. Tourism based on culture and heritage would make the people aware of their heritage and can develop the country's image.
For initiating heritage tourism, Bangladesh needs to pay attention to conserve heritage sites. Heritage conservation would bring numerous benefits to the nation. New jobs, new businesses and higher property value, well-managed tourism besides other benefits, would help improve the quality of life.
At the same time attention should be paid to ensure that tourism does not destroy the very heritage that attracts visitors. Tourism, a competitive, sophisticated and fast-changing industry, presents its own challenges a resource-based and sustainable industry, heritage tourism puts pressure on roads, airports, water supplies, and public services like police and fire brigade and other infrastructure.
Heritage tourism, promotion would call for an experts' committee to conserve heritage sites. The committee should make recommendations for implementation. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the national tourism organisation, should be involved in the process.
l A wide-ranging development plan for heritage sites should be programmed.
l Development plans must look for the suggestions and guidance of heritage experts, social scientists and environmental experts.
l Participation of local people of respective heritage site should be ensured in the scheme.
l The need for deeper and broader participation and awareness building among the citizens and civil society at large should be considered.
l Books, reports, brochures, guides, maps, and audio-visual products -- need to be brought out for different users.
l Identifying the need to develop human resources, potential and capacity building, assistance of UNESCO and concerned ministries to train the personnel concerned must be considered.
The question is indeed how to prioritise heritage conservation as an important aspect of a country's overall development including tourism, and to set up an appropriate framework for its integration and implementation within existing systems of development and management.
Why many people in the country are not aware of heritage tourism needs consideration. First, one cannot get everything in books throughout his or her life and second, domestic tourism is yet to be popular. The clich