What holds us back?

In a world full of adventure and exploration, tourism holds a powerful place. Walking down the streets of different cultures and witnessing the local lifestyle give an unmatched experience. That's why tourism remains one of the top five exports in more than 150 countries, reflecting the widespread demand and desire of travellers worldwide.

Tourism has enormous prospects for a developing destination like Bangladesh. The country offers warm hospitality and widespread natural beauty. Known for its stunning landscapes, Bangladesh is home to river streams, mountains, tea gardens, and sandy beaches.

Although Bangladesh has the x-factor to become the next popular tourist destination, there are issues in this field that cannot be ignored. The absence of a sustainable tourism industry, environmentally hazardous tourism activities, and undistributed job opportunities are eating up the prospects of this industry.

There are seventy-five islands in the coastal areas of Bangladesh accessible to tourists. None of these islands gets enough tourists compared to other South Asian countries. In 2023, Bangladesh's tourism industry contributed US$ 9.5 billion to the country's GDP while Thailand's tourism revenue for the same period was US$35 billion from 28 million foreign visitors. Indonesia's tourism revenue in 2023 was US$10.46 billion which is close to that of Bangladesh.

Organising and redecorating our islands with our neighbouring countries will get us more tourists since we have a large population to serve. Foreigners will also find it convenient to travel here as Bangladesh is more affordable in terms of food and accommodation than almost countries. But first, we have to understand how these countries maintain the international standard that attracts such an immense number of tourists each year.

People from all over the world visit Thailand to witness the scenic beauty of Maya Bay. Surprisingly, Maya Bay stays closed for two months every year just to help recover its ecosystem. The Thai government even forbade it for tourists to swim in its waters so that it does not get polluted. If the same thing had been applied in Bangladesh, for instance, closing Saint Martin's Island for more than two months, everyone would have gone wild. It proves how little environmentally conscious we are. The majority of the tourist spots in Bangladesh are exposed to pollution due to the carelessness of the visitors.

The famous island destinations of South Asia such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have one thing in common, a diverse beach life. These countries decorate their beaches tastefully, with lights, food stalls, walkways, and fire shows, creating an amusing vibrant nightlife. People enjoy the beach underneath the moon as waves crash to the shore. Additionally, they have branded themselves as a safe sustainable tourist destination globally where women and children can roam around fearlessly. Unfortunately, in our country, beach activities pretty much end for most people as soon as the sun sets.

In Bangladesh, we need to acquire stable transportation facilities for island hopping activities to different nearby islands such as Chera Dwip, Maheshkhali Dwip, Shonadia Dwip, Shondip, and many more. A proper package system for island hopping at a reasonable price should be made available to the tourists.

Another major difference found in the tourism industry of Bangladesh compared to other popular Asian countries is the cost of accommodation. Countries like India, Nepal, or even Malaysia offer 3- or 4-star hotels at an affordable rate. In contrast, hotels of the same standard in places like Sylhet or Cox's Bazar cost almost double, which is unacceptable. People who travel regularly know it well; hence, they choose to visit nearby countries where they can rent cheaply and enjoy more.

Currently, there are many fish sanctuaries, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries which can enhance the tourism sector's expansion. We can invest the revenue earned from coastal tourism activities to build infrastructure such as aquariums and safari parks that match the standards of Dubai and Singapore.

With the expansion of the tourism industry, demand for professionals in the field of tourism and hospitality, hotel management, and tour guides will also rise. According to a report, coastal tourism, which is based on a country's sea, or coastal region-related tourism activities will employ 1.5 million additional people globally by 2030. If we can manage proper planning and execution, even Bangladesh can create huge employment opportunities in the tourism sector.

Currently, many job opportunities in this field are ruined by scams and fraud. For example, many beach photographers are willing to take photos, but the fees they charge at times are simply obnoxious and uncomfortable for the tourists just wanting to have a good time. Foreigners feel unsafe visiting countries like Bangladesh and India because of the fear of being mugged. But these same people are visiting other Asian countries one after another, flexing about their facilities.

Tourists, especially the younger generation, love the thrill of exploring. Our Chattogram division has so many blood-rushing activities to offer in the mountains of Bandarban and the hilltops of Khagrachhari. Captivating places like Debotakhum, Nafakhum, and Amiakhum, where one can get lost in nature, should be made easily accessible. Cave exploring, mountain climbing, luxury long-tail boat tours, and kayaking activities require skilled professionals. It is crucial to train and hire professional enlisted tour guides rather than locals attempting to con tourists.

The northern region of Bangladesh showcases a rich cultural and historical heritage. The area is home to numerous archeological sites and historical monuments. All these historical and archeological sites require expert guides with sufficient familiarity with the place. Unskilled tour guides with less knowledge of the history and culture of the sites automatically feel a bit off. Another important sector of tourism where employment gets wasted due to scams is through unauthorised travel agencies. There should be coordination and chain relations among various service sectors of the tourism industry. Information regarding planes, ferries, bus tickets, hotels and resorts, and entertainment activities should be easily available on websites.

It is important to gain the trust of the tourists. The price of the services provided by different agencies should be somewhat identical. The price discrepancy in different agencies and the uncertainty of access to smooth services have eroded people's faith in agencies. If the agencies could provide improved customer services, it would generate more jobs in this sector.

In today's world, social media promotion is very impactful. People coming from developed countries love to explore the world and try out new things. As a result, the majority of Asian tourist destinations, such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are filled with Western tourists.

The goal is to attract them through social media and provide standard customer services. If the standards are maintained and promotion goes well, both Asian and Western tourists will be inclined to visit Bangladesh. Thus, we can earn foreign currency and improve our lifestyle by mixing with different cultures.

Despite the great potential of our tourism industry, a lot of improvement is needed regarding proper planning and management. Investigating the opportunities and potentials of tourism and prescribing necessary recommendations for reformation and improvement of the tourism sector should be the primary target. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is necessary to create a sustainable travel industry in Bangladesh.

Preparing human resources in the field of tourism to create a standard that attracts both foreign and domestic tourists is crucial. Tourist police must remain alert at every tourist spot to make sure that the tourists do not get scammed by anyone. If a tourist-friendly ambience can be created, Bangladesh can expect a big impact on its economic and cultural development through its tourism industry.

[email protected]