Tourism sector looks forward to active policy-supports
Saturday, 6 November 2010
ONE aspect of the fourth tourism fair that began on October 28 last in Dhaka was a roundtable discussion on its second day. It was well attended by all important stakeholders in the tourism sector. The near unanimous opinion from all who addressed this discussion was that the country has great prospects to develop tourism but is not doing enough. They all underlined the point that tourism can contribute substantially to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) given proper policies and their execution. The feedbacks from this meeting need to be seriously considered and incorporated in policy-making and execution.
Indeed, tourism can be a very paying sector for Bangladesh. But its potentials have been put on a hold due to a host of factors. But lack of understanding of its prospects and taking up proper plans to exploit the same, are the most retarding factors. Proper planning and promotional activities in this sector are the greatest needs. Its contribution to Bangladesh's GDP can rise, like the case with Thailand, Malaysia, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka in both South East Asia and South Asia fairly soon -- with the adoption and efficient implementation of better policies.
The western part of the country where the world heritage sites, the Sundarbans, Bagerhat and Paharpur, are located, generally have a higher development potential for the international tourism market in Bangladesh. On the other hand, the eastern and southern parts, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and Kuakata also have potentials mainly for the domestic and regional tourism market. Generally, the best season for the tourists, is from November to March because of the climatic conditions. How to overcome the off-season, will be one of the main tasks in the future.
A clear and accurate market segmentation of the international, regional and domestic tourism is quite crucial to the tourism development of Bangladesh. At present, the needs of each market vary considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the different needs and respond to them properly. The development strategy must be based on the proper market segmentation.
A lot of problems and constraints for the tourism development such as lack of development funds, low priority of tourism development among the various sectors, few financial incentives by the government for the private sector, lack of infrastructure, lack of practical and efficient coordination among the relevant governmental organisations, etc., have been pointed out separately and sporadically.
Bangladesh has plenty of splendid tourism resources, particularly for eco-tourism, cultural and religious tourism, village or community tourism. Generally speaking, however, their values as tourism resource have not been well recognised yet in the society. Some of them are even neglected by the local people. First of all, a detailed inventory survey of tourism resources including natural, archeological, historical, cultural sites and resources should be undertaken. The survey is a prerequisite for revision of a master plan if one exists, a basic data base and to be used as an essential tool for the future tourism planning and development.
Tourism development has a lot of potentials to create job opportunities for the local people, both skilled and unskilled workers, that is to say, to create new income generation opportunities. It will definitely contribute toward poverty alleviation in the society. Importance of role of tourism development should be understood by the policy-makers and strong intention of the government to promote the tourism is here essential. Then the PPP (Public Private Partnership) will also be in a better position to work efficiently and harmoniously for tourism development.
The role of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) should be reviewed and reformed to strengthen its role as a facilitator. It ought to withdraw itself from commercial activities. Tourism is an integrated wide-range industry which consists of various industrial sectors. Therefore, a strong coordination and leadership body among the relevant public and private organisations is essential for a successful tourism promotion. A well harmonized development strategy, based on the collaboration of the relevant agencies and covering different areas of tourists' interests is vitally important for sustained development of this sector. Then, the appropriate institutional setting for harmonised tourism development by the various stakeholders can be achieved.
The provision of services at the major tourism sites such as the Sundarbans, Phaharpur, Bagerhat, etc., are still lacking. These sites are still lacking in basic infrastructure, tourism facilities and/or services. In most sites, improvement of suitable access roads is necessary. Furthermore, accommodations and restaurants, well-trained guide, route maps, explanation panels, guideposts to the sites, upgrading of exhibition facilities, night guards for protection of the sites etc., are necessary. At least, a minimum level of requirements should be fulfilled first.
Financial incentives, such as tax exemption for tourism investments for a certain period and other deregulation to promote the private sector's investment for tourism development, are necessary. However, at first a simulation study on effects of the possible tourism promotion measures by the government should be carefully undertaken, which is a study investigating positive effects of the measures on revenue growth of the government in the long term. Based on the results of the survey, appropriate and justified financial incentives should be prepared and given to private investment activities.
More active and efficient promotion and advertising campaign of 'Visit Bangladesh' by the government are necessary. The present situation of tourism campaign should be improved by the strong initiative of the government. Today, campaign activities through the Internet and other electronic media including TV can be utilised with reasonable costs. In addition, joint efforts through various regional forums for cooperation should also be strengthened to increase the attractiveness of Bangladeshi tourism.
Indeed, tourism can be a very paying sector for Bangladesh. But its potentials have been put on a hold due to a host of factors. But lack of understanding of its prospects and taking up proper plans to exploit the same, are the most retarding factors. Proper planning and promotional activities in this sector are the greatest needs. Its contribution to Bangladesh's GDP can rise, like the case with Thailand, Malaysia, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka in both South East Asia and South Asia fairly soon -- with the adoption and efficient implementation of better policies.
The western part of the country where the world heritage sites, the Sundarbans, Bagerhat and Paharpur, are located, generally have a higher development potential for the international tourism market in Bangladesh. On the other hand, the eastern and southern parts, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and Kuakata also have potentials mainly for the domestic and regional tourism market. Generally, the best season for the tourists, is from November to March because of the climatic conditions. How to overcome the off-season, will be one of the main tasks in the future.
A clear and accurate market segmentation of the international, regional and domestic tourism is quite crucial to the tourism development of Bangladesh. At present, the needs of each market vary considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the different needs and respond to them properly. The development strategy must be based on the proper market segmentation.
A lot of problems and constraints for the tourism development such as lack of development funds, low priority of tourism development among the various sectors, few financial incentives by the government for the private sector, lack of infrastructure, lack of practical and efficient coordination among the relevant governmental organisations, etc., have been pointed out separately and sporadically.
Bangladesh has plenty of splendid tourism resources, particularly for eco-tourism, cultural and religious tourism, village or community tourism. Generally speaking, however, their values as tourism resource have not been well recognised yet in the society. Some of them are even neglected by the local people. First of all, a detailed inventory survey of tourism resources including natural, archeological, historical, cultural sites and resources should be undertaken. The survey is a prerequisite for revision of a master plan if one exists, a basic data base and to be used as an essential tool for the future tourism planning and development.
Tourism development has a lot of potentials to create job opportunities for the local people, both skilled and unskilled workers, that is to say, to create new income generation opportunities. It will definitely contribute toward poverty alleviation in the society. Importance of role of tourism development should be understood by the policy-makers and strong intention of the government to promote the tourism is here essential. Then the PPP (Public Private Partnership) will also be in a better position to work efficiently and harmoniously for tourism development.
The role of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) should be reviewed and reformed to strengthen its role as a facilitator. It ought to withdraw itself from commercial activities. Tourism is an integrated wide-range industry which consists of various industrial sectors. Therefore, a strong coordination and leadership body among the relevant public and private organisations is essential for a successful tourism promotion. A well harmonized development strategy, based on the collaboration of the relevant agencies and covering different areas of tourists' interests is vitally important for sustained development of this sector. Then, the appropriate institutional setting for harmonised tourism development by the various stakeholders can be achieved.
The provision of services at the major tourism sites such as the Sundarbans, Phaharpur, Bagerhat, etc., are still lacking. These sites are still lacking in basic infrastructure, tourism facilities and/or services. In most sites, improvement of suitable access roads is necessary. Furthermore, accommodations and restaurants, well-trained guide, route maps, explanation panels, guideposts to the sites, upgrading of exhibition facilities, night guards for protection of the sites etc., are necessary. At least, a minimum level of requirements should be fulfilled first.
Financial incentives, such as tax exemption for tourism investments for a certain period and other deregulation to promote the private sector's investment for tourism development, are necessary. However, at first a simulation study on effects of the possible tourism promotion measures by the government should be carefully undertaken, which is a study investigating positive effects of the measures on revenue growth of the government in the long term. Based on the results of the survey, appropriate and justified financial incentives should be prepared and given to private investment activities.
More active and efficient promotion and advertising campaign of 'Visit Bangladesh' by the government are necessary. The present situation of tourism campaign should be improved by the strong initiative of the government. Today, campaign activities through the Internet and other electronic media including TV can be utilised with reasonable costs. In addition, joint efforts through various regional forums for cooperation should also be strengthened to increase the attractiveness of Bangladeshi tourism.