Tourism still neglected in Bangladesh

Shahana Bilkis We are living in an era of globalisation and this has led tourism to be one of the fastest growing and ever-expanding industries. It is a labour-intensive industry that creates thousands of jobs every year across the world. Tourism also serves as a great tool for poverty alleviation as it helps employ local people, creating opportunities for earnings. Although tourism sector got recognition as an industry in 1999, it never received much attention from the government. Many countries like the Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos started tourism industry much later than Bangladesh but have developed their industry faster than ours. In 1998, Bangladesh received 171,961 tourists while Cambodia had only 96,000 tourists. After 11 years in 2009, Bangladesh could attract only 267,000 tourists while Cambodia more than 2 million. There is no proper water, sewerage system and gas connection in tourist spots while there is lack of air routes in districts of tourism interest. This hampers smooth communication. Only a limited number of flights land in a few domestic airports. Tourism-friendly infrastructure is required for smooth and free movement of tourists of all ages. Bangladesh still needs to develop accommodation, eateries, good communication and transportation system, toilet facilities, parking facilities, security for the tourists etc. near the tourist spots of the country. It needs to develop international standard facilities at all the tourist spots of the country. Lack of trained work force and advertising our tourism are two more impediments in developing this sector. There are incidents of hasty return of the tourists from various sites without staying there due to absence of interpreters and proper guides and adequate security arrangements. Guiding the tourists should be developed as an honourable profession because in our neighbouring countries like India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, people join it spontaneously. They enjoy many facilities from their employers. In Bangladesh, guides need proper training. Well- educated, smart, knowledgeable and energetic people should be encouraged to join as guides and interpreters for tourists. We need to make the tourists busy in different activities all the time so that they could find a visit to Bangladesh's tourist spots their money's worth. [email protected]