“Tourism, Emerging Industry in Bangladesh”
The tourism industry of Bangladesh is not too long. In
the year 1972, Bangladesh tourism industry officially started with the
establishment of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation in the hands of Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Where Grand Tour began in England in 1670, Thomas Cook
arranged the first package tour in 1841, traveling from Leicester to
loughborough by traveling with 570 tourists. For this reason Thomas Cook is
known as “The Father of Package Tour” in the world of Travel Agency. The word
‘tourist’ was first applied in 1772 and the use of tourism was used in 1811. In
comparison to this, I can say Bangladesh tourism industry like new born baby.
People of our country understand tourism as a hotel. Someone thinks tourism
means roam around nothing else. Apart from hotels and sightseeing, there are
many things that tourism is related to; many people do not want to believe
these simple words.
According to the World Tourism Organization- “Tourism is
a collection of activities, services and industries which deliver a travel
experience comprising transportation, accommodation, eating and drinking
establishments, retail shops, entertainment businesses and other hospitality
services provided for individuals or groups traveling away from home” .In my
language “Tourism is sum of all activities that arising out from travel and
stay of tourists.”And for the tourists to perform the above mentioned
activities, all the activities that are to be coordinated include tourism. Simply
put, tourism is the sum of all the jobs that arise when a tourist travels or
lives in some other place. One of the five pillars of tourism is
Transportation and Communication, Accommodations, Food and Beverage,
Attractions, and Entertainment. These pillars above are associated with 109
sectors. This is why tourism is called the industry of Industry and Art.
Current world, many of countries’ economy is tourism oriented .Example for UAE,
India, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka, Maldives, Laos, and most
part of Europe and American continent. Bangladesh is raising country for travel
and tourism sector. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, more
than 100 million tourists are traveling from one country to other countries. By
2020, its number will exceed 160 million. The tourism industry of Bangladesh is
progressing day by day. If proper measures are taken for the development and
promotion of tourism industry in Bangladesh, this industry will be transformed
through the main driving force of Bangladesh’s economy and tourism.
According to the World Travel and Tourism
Council, in 2014, direct contribution of tourism and travel to Bangladesh’s
economy was 296.6 billion and it got direct employment at 0.903 million.
Screening is an industry where everyone gets financial independence. According
to Indian tourism magazine, in some countries, when a tourist travels, he
creates financial benefit for 30 people indirectly. According to World Travel and Tourism Council In 2018, the global
GDP growth was 3.2 percent but travel and tourism growth was 3.9 per cent (8.8
trillion USD). Tourism generated 10.4 per cent of all global economic activity,
which contributed to generate 319 million jobs, representing one in ten of all
jobs globally.
Tourism in Bangladesh is very unique and diversified from
other parts of world. All of the material needed to attract the tourists that
all are exists in our country, just need to present them properly to tourists.
UNESCO has declared three attractions in Bangladesh as a world heritage site;
the world’s largest integrated mangrove forest – Sundarbans, The world oldest
Budhists Vhira; Paharpur, and The art of finest Archeology; Sixty dome mosque.
Mongal Sovajatra has declared as a world intangible world heritage by UNESCO.
There is also the longest continuous natural sandy beach in the world – Cox’s
Bazar, the coral island in the heart of the Bay of Bengal – St. Martin’s
Island, The Largest Hilly Island-Mahesakhali Island, Natural diversified
Island- Sonadia Island, and The Second Mangrove forest of Bangladesh-Nijhum
Island.
The beauty of the tea gardens of Sylhet makes special
attention for the tourists. It is not possible to express the beauty of
Nilgiri, Nilchari Hill, Waterfalls and Sangu River in Bandarbans. The Sajek
Valley in Rangamati is a place where it will feel like flying in the clouds.
Rangamati is also known by the name of “The City of Lake”. The rural
environment of Bangladesh and the simple-minded people will be encouraged to
visit villages anytime. Cultural programs of our country, such as
Pala-e-Parvan, Pahla Baishakh, Pahla Falgun, Kites festival, Boisabi festival
will be forced to bring foreign tourists to Bangladesh.
The government of Bangladesh is taking a number of steps
to develop and promote tourism industry. According to the Tourist Reservation
Area Act-2010, 35 thousand acres of land has been declared as a “Tourism
Conservation Area”. Islands – Saint Martin Island, Maheshkhali Island, Sonadia
Island, Nijhum Island, Sundarbans, have been declared as “Tourism Protected
areas”. In the suburang of Teknaf, 1165 acres are available for foreign
tourists throughout the “work in Exclusive Tourist Zone”. Overall assessment
and survey record is giving us positive sign for Bangladesh Tourism: Prospect
and Possibility.
Md. Shaifullar Rabbi
Lecturer
Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Management
Daffodil Institute of IT