Hospitality industry\\\'s contribution to GDP may rise to 8pc this year

The direct contribution of hospitality industry to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to rise by 8 per cent in 2014 which was Tk 222.6 billion (2.1 per cent of total GDP) in 2013, according to an international study.
The study also showed that investment in the hospitality industry will rise by 3.4 per cent in 2014 which was Tk 40.5 billion or 1.5 per cent of total investment in 2013.
The study primarily reflects the economic activities generated by hospitality industry such as hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services (excluding commuter services).
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2013 hospitality industry directly supported 0.13 million jobs (1.8 per cent of total employment). This is expected to rise by 4.0 per cent in 2014.
Toufiq Uddin Ahmed, President of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) told the FE that the country's hospitality industry is very potential as Bangladesh has a lot of tourism products to offer to the tourists of the world.
He said, "The number of inbound foreign tourists has marked a sharp rise in recent times due to the country's stable political environment".
The stable political environ has been helping the country's tour operators to attract inbound tourists here, he added.
Shiblul Azam Koreshi, director of TOAB told the FE that the present volume of domestic tourism has been increasing as about 1.5 million tourists including 5 per cent foreigners visited Cox's Bazar in 2013.
He said the country's hospitable people, longest sea beach, largest mangrove, religious sites, archaeology, culture and heritage have been attracting the international tourists.
Nuruddin Ahmad, General Manager of Seagull Hotel in Cox's Bazar told the FE "A large number of foreigners are now staying in Bangladesh and many of them have been booking hotel rooms".
He said they are earning some profits after a lull due to the country present peaceful political environment.
An official of Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism told the FE that many youths of the country work as tourist guides. The government has plans to create more facilities in different areas so that the locals get priority in selling handicrafts, poultry, meat, fish and vegetables.
He said separate train services for tourists may be launched within a short time. The inland waterway of Bangladesh possesses a great potential for tourism development but services need to be improved.
Kazi Wahidul Alam, a tourism expert told the FE that Bangladesh has a huge potential for tourism that needed only some efforts to cash in on the same.
He said tourism industry of Bangladesh can contribute to achieving the country's vision for 2021 in many ways. However, it requires many short, mid and long- term projects with sufficient budgetary allocation.
Mr Alam said road communications also have to be improved so that tourists can reach their destinations without much hassle.