“I have seen Bengal’s face, that is why I do not seek beauty of the earth any more …” this is how Poet Jibanananda Das highlighted the beauty of Bangladesh. Ibn Battuta and many other explorers had visited this country. Around nine lakh tourists visit Bangladesh a year. On the other hand, 15 lakh local tourists go outside a year. During a period of 43 years after the country’s independence, tourism sector contributed to Tk 16,409 crore. It is 1.56 percent of the GDP. Sources said the tourism sector could not flourish for several factors despite having huge potentials. Experts said the sector is not being prioritised. Weak infrastructure, inadequate budget allocation, faulty marketing policy, lack of coordination among the concerned ministries and long-term investment are main barriers to the growth of tourism sector. Experts think that 10 lakh tourists in addition to the existing number can be attracted by developing management and taking pragmatic steps. As a result, the country’s income will go up by Tk 9,000 crore. The government has declared 2016 as the year of tourism. If effective plan can be chalked out involving the private entrepreneurs, the tourism sector will boom. A vibrant tourism sector will create new jobs to strengthen the country’s economy further. Malaysian High Commissioner to Dhaka appreciated the beauty of Bangladesh. There are many attractive places here. If infrastructure can be developed, more tourists will feel attracted. He also underscored the need for adequate publicity to make the tourists aware of it. Regional connectivity should be increased. Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa planned for boosting tourism sector in his country. He wanted to increase GDP contribution of the sector from 2.5 to 5 percent. It is aimed at bringing 25 lakh additional tourists to earn $ 3.5 billion more. The number of hotel rooms has been doubled to accommodate the larger number of visitors to Sri Lanka. Earlier, there were 26,000 rooms. Another 24, 000 rooms have been created. Tourism is the major income source of Maldives. This sector contributes to 30 percent of GDP of Maldives. Maldives earns 60 percent of its foreign currency from tourism. The governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, India and Nepal are nourishing tourism in a bid to expand this sector. But the situation of Bangladesh is different. It took long time to form a tourism board. Lack of suitable bureaucratic measures and publicity aggravated the situation. Some steps which were taken could not succeed in achieving target for lack of infrastructure. A former minister said a master-plan was taken during his period for Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata and law was also enacted to establish a special Tourist zone to provide additional privileges to the foreign tourists. He also alleged that the prime aim of forming a separate tourist board was not fulfilled as it only arranged some jobs or tour opportunities for a group of people. When asked about the current situation of the tourism sector, the former minister said that the tourists always demand standard transport, drinking, eating and hotel opportunities but we have failed to manage those fairly. “Tourism sector will flourish if we can maintain standard privileges for foreigners” he added. It may be mentioned that tourism has become one of the growing industries in the world and tourists have special attraction for Asia. Some 6 percent growth came in Asia Pacific region through tourism sector last year. A total of 248 million tourists came here, which is 14 million higher than last year. 10 percent growth came in the south-east Asia although it was 5 percent was in south Asia. A forecast of UNWOT said the total growth in tourism sector will be 4 percent to 4.5 percent globally, which will be 5 percent in Asia pacific region. Earlier, tourists seemed to be attracted to the developed countries but now most of them are being attracted to SAARC countries but Bangladesh have no specific plan to receive them yet. A survey conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) said a total of 9 lakh tourists visit Bangladesh every year, including direct foreign tourists (6 Lakh) and Non-residency Bangladesh (3 Lakh). Tourism adds Tk 16409cr to GDP directly every year which was 11-12 percent in 2013-14 fiscal. A total of 815,000 employment opportunities have been created through tourism. It also said that a foreign tourist expend Tk 91,610 in a six days visit in Bangladesh. If Bangladesh can attract more 10 lakh tourists it will earn more Tk, 9121 crore. Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) president S N Manjor Murshed said that Bangladesh should maintain international standard of tourism industries if it wants to increase economic growth through this sector. He stressed the need for developing transport, residences and food privileges to the foreign tourists. It has been seen that tourism industry has become a leading economic power of many countries around the world compared to manufacturing sector. Experts said Bangladesh also has to import a large amount of raw materials for the garment factories although we notice that a huge amount of foreign currencies come here through export. In this circumstances, we can easily increase our foreign currencies through tourism where there is no need to import any materials in exchange of native money, they added. When contacted, Bangladesh Foundation For Tourism Development (BFTD) executive director Rejaul Ekram said that government should take special care for the tourism sector. “Tourism has not been included in top -10 leading sector for the government first priority in investment. So, how can we think that we will develop our tourism sector?” he lamented. He urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take immediate steps to bring tourism in front for the development. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon hoped that the tourism industry will go beyond the garment sector in the days to come. Of later, the minister in a meeting has said “The country progress has to be strengthened through developing the tourism sector at international standard by identifying its weakness and crisis. For that, we have to work together to implement the ongoing programmes of this sector.” Bangladesh Tourism Board Chairman (BTB) chief executive officer Akhteruzzaman Khan Kabir said “Own manpower for BTB has not been recruited yet. Regular investment is needed to expand this sector.” “Introducing of E-visa is also important to attract the tourists,” he opined. Priceless wealth being spoiled Many tourism prospects are being spoiled due to inadequate management and supervising. Country’s biggest sea beach is becoming like dustbin as trashes are being thrown all over the place. Another sea beach Kuakata’s roads are dilapidated while the Saint Martin’s has lost its previous glory. BFTD’s executive director Rezaul Ekram said “Our Saint Martin’s and Sundarbans are extraordinary tourist spots to attract the tourists. Saint Martin’s is not less attractive than the island of Bali in Indonesia at all. But the two tourist products are being spoiled due to pollution, unplanned establishments and uncontrolled movement.” Referring the commencement of restricted tourism in different countries to safeguard environment and culture, he also said “The government has to select hotel and tour operator for tourists. Five years back, many people laugh at the restricted tourism issue in Bangladesh…but now we are suffering not for introducing the system. We are realizing that Bhutan remains virgin for introducing the system.” Some efforts went in vain Some efforts in tourism sector have not seen the light of the day. There is no exact statistics on how many tourists visit Bangladesh, how much money they spent here and which placed they visited during their stay. Besides, the tourism products and service have to be evaluated according to the international standard, concept and definition which are supposed to be done by Tourism Satellite Account (TSA). According to UNWTO, Bangladesh has not introduced the TSA system yet. Country re-branding has not seen the light. The plan for setting up exclusive tourist zone, international tourist complex, hotel, cottage, nightclub, amusement park and convention center in Teknaf has made remarkable progress. There is no authority to check whether the promises that given to tourists are being fulfilled or not. The efforts to incorporate the law ‘tourism umbrella act’ has not been seen the light as well. Dhaka University Tourism and Hospitality Department chairman professor Dr Mujib Ahmed said “We are not in bad condition considering our socio-economic condition. Some entities like culture, society are related to tourism. The infrastructural development is badly needed in tourism sector as infrastructure is backbone of any business. Triumph is tourism sector would see in the future if these to be implemented.”
No comments:
Post a Comment