Regional approach to ensure greater benefits from tourism

As Bangladesh has immense potential in attracting travellers, due to its rich cultural heritage and famous tourist spots, the government is reported to be planning to raise foreign tourist arrivals by 70 per cent to 1.0 million by 2016 through a series of promotional activities from October this year.
The tourism ministry is expected to focus on health and religious tourism. The country has several religious sites for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. The number of tourists will obviously increase if the country can develop these sites.
In addition, health tourism will be another exciting prospect for tourists, especially from Nepal and Bhutan. Many patients from Nepal and Bhutan are otherwise coming to Bangladesh for better treatment.
As part of the promotional campaign, the government will hold a regional tourism conference in next October inviting participants from countries, such as India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal and Bhutan. The national carrier, Bangladesh Biman, has been asked to develop attractive travel packages so that people from the neighbouring countries and non-resident Bangladeshis can visit the country with affordable costs.
Travel analysts have also stressed the need to develop domestic tourism for higher economic growth. Growth of domestic tourism has a multiplier effect on the country's economy as it benefits different sectors such as hotels, airlines and small businesses.
Spending by domestic tourists is expected to grow about 6.0 per cent year-on-year in 2015 to Tk 517.70 million, World Travel and Tourism Council said in its latest study. In 2014, local tourist spending grew 5.35 per cent year-on-year, which is lower than the London-based research organisation's projection of 7.0 per cent then. Travel and tourism contributed Tk 296.60 million, or 1.9 per cent, to the country's gross domestic product last year.
However, the country's tourism sector suffered a crushing blow and lost around Tk 20 billion due to cancellation of planned tours by foreign travellers amid the lingering political unrest. Tour operators were badly affected by the political chaos that began on January 06 and ended recently.  
However, a master plan on tourism is reportedly being prepared to ensure a planned development of the country's existing and prospective tourist spots, aiming to attract a greater number of foreign tourists to Bangladesh. The master plan was approved at the 25th meeting of the Governing Body of the Bangladesh Tourism Board held in December last year.
As part of the plan, 'Visit Bangladesh Year 2016' is scheduled to be observed in the country next year, aiming to expedite the development of the country's tourism industry. An amount of TK 2.0 billion is expected to be spent in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 years for implementing relevant programmes to this end.
Travel analysts say there is a widespread scope for attracting foreign tourists to Bangladesh to a large extent if the country's existing tourist spots are made attractive. Not only the sea beaches, measures should be there to attract tourists to river-ways through arranging river cruises alongside utilising the old heritage, relics, tea gardens and scenic areas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
In fact, there is a need for creating tourism awareness among the country's people. Bangladesh's geographical location is very much favourable for tourism. Cox's Bazar should be built as a planned tourist spot while the Kuakata beach needs to be developed as a proper tourist spot since the tourists there have a very rare opportunity to see both the sunrise and sunset.
The government is also planning to construct a marine drive from Mirsarai-Cox's Bazar-Teknaf alongside ensuring bay watch, hill watch, eco-tourism and Safari park. The world's largest mangrove forest the Sundarbans should be brought under the eco-system and portrayed more attractively before the local and foreign tourists.
Maldives, Sri Lanka and India could be linked in operating ocean cruises in the region. The government has a plan to set up an exclusive zone in Cox's Bazar for the foreign tourists and for this, communication system should have to be improved.
As per the draft package facility, three hilly districts will be announced as exclusive zone for the tourists, while Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Council, Bangladesh Army and civil aviation ministry will act jointly to implement tourism-friendly projects in the respective hilly districts. Exclusive facilities on touring, accommodations and recreation will be ensured in the exclusive zone to attract both local and foreign tourists.
All development projects in relation to improving creaky infrastructure from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar and development needs in the Cox's Bazar city in particular are set to be integrated for a facelift to attract tourism and holidaying.
Measures will also be taken for reduction in tax at source payable by foreign tourists to tour operators, rationalising the import duties levied on vehicles used for transporting tourists and popularising river cruise ensuring adequate safety and attractions in rivers encircling the capital Dhaka.
Exclusive tourism infrastructure will be built near Jamuna bridge, while separate development package will be announced exclusively for the Sundarbans-the world's largest mangrove forest.
All such projects need the private sector to come up with greater investment for developing exclusive tourism zones jointly with the government. Presently, the government is unable to provide the required amount of money for the development of those zones. The country needs to proceed with a regional approach to ensure greater benefits from the tourism sector.
The government is, of late, mulling to announce tourism as a thrust sector. As such, a separate ministry for tourism should be there as it has a huge potential. A long-term policy for tourism development to make Bangladesh a vibrant destination in the region for global tourists should be formulated for its implementation in a planned way.    
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