Thrust on raising arrivals of international tourists

Tourism sector policymakers are yet to recognise international tourist arrivals as a major contributor in the country's economy as Bangladesh is one of the lowest receiving countries losing foreign currency from the sector, industry insiders said.
Bangladesh authority including the civil aviation and tourism ministry, its subsidiary Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) mainly focus on the domestic tourist turnout which has reached a staggering 97.6 per cent of the country's total tourist arrival.
When all the major economies of the world, including the giant regional tourist recipients like Thailand, China, Malaysia and Singapore try to attract more foreign tourists to earn foreign exchange, Bangladesh is lagging behind in this regard with a primeval mindset.
According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) data, worldwide international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased 6.0 per cent to 1.4 billion in 2018, clearly above the 3.7 per cent growth registered in the global economy.
Middle East (+10 per cent), Africa (+7.0 per cent), Asia and the Pacific and Europe (both at +6.0 per cent) led the growth in 2018. Arrivals to the Americas were below the world average (+3.0 per cent).
International tourist arrivals in Europe reached 713 million in 2018. Growth was driven by Southern and Mediterranean Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe.
Asia and the Pacific recorded 343 million international tourist arrivals in 2018. Arrivals in South-east Asia (SEA) grew 7.0 per cent, followed by North-east Asia (+6.0 per cent) and South Asia (+5.0 per cent).
The Americas welcomed 217 million international arrivals in 2018, with mixed results across destinations. Growth was led by North America.
India received 10.04 million international tourists in 2018 while Thailand received 37.5 million, Malaysia 28.9 million and Singapore 18.5 million.
Nepal has already crossed the one million target receiving 1.4 million.
Thailand's tourism industry is expected to expand in 2019, with at least 10 per cent growth in revenue from 2018, reaching B3.4 trillion.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicted international arrivals would increase from a predicted 37.5 million in 2018 to 40 million in 2019, with domestic tourists making 169 million trips for 2019, up from 160 million this year.
Strong growth is anticipated from both the international and domestic markets. In 2019 the international market should generate income of B2.28 trillion, while the domestic market should contribute B1.12 trillion.
Thai government sees tourism as a key tool to drive the economy, reduce poverty and lower income inequality.
The government will also focus on sustainability by promoting responsible tourism, said TAT.
TAT is targeting more visitors from the Dubai and wider Middle East region, particularly female tourists, families and those seeking 'preventive' medical services.
The region accounted for 2.0 per cent of total international arrivals, but average spending from the segment is B7,200 per head per day, higher than the B5,200 average from other markets.
TAT expects total arrivals and revenue from the region to rise by 10 per cent from US and Canada. China remains the top market for Thailand.
Malaysia received 25.9 million international tourists in 2018. The South-east Asian country targets to increase it to 28.1 million in 2019 and 30 million in 2020.
But the Bangladesh authority shows the total 0.6 million international arrivals as tourists. According to tourism experts, of the total number, only 30,000 may be genuine tourists.
Talking to the FE, Journey Plus Chief Executive Taufiq Rahman said that Bangladesh is the close neighbour of India.
That's why it follows India in tourism sector which is mainly dependent on domestic tourists. The proportion of domestic and international tourists should be fifty-fifty, he said.
"We should keep in mind that our tourists are going to visit other countries where they spend huge amount of foreign currency. Likewise we need to attract foreigners to earn foreign currency as tourism is a major driver of the economy," he added.
When contacted, BPC Public Relations Officer Ziaul Haque Hawlader said the authority has been trying to create more facilities to attract more domestic tourists.
"If people of the country do not visit the tourist attractions within the country, why should the foreigners come here," he said.
"The growth of tourism in recent years confirms that the sector is today one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth and development," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
"It is our responsibility to manage it in a sustainable manner and translate this expansion into real benefits for all countries, and particularly, to all local communities, creating opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship and leaving no one behind," he said during the publishing of the tourism forecasts for 2019.
"This is why UNWTO is focusing 2019 on education, skills and job creation," he added.
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