A study on tourism industry of Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects

Submitted To Shahidul Islam Fakir Assistant Professor Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Submitted By Syed Foad Roll -06671588 Reg No. -024134 BBA 4th year 2nd semester Management Studies Jagannath University ,Dhaka.

Date Of Submission 20-6-2012 Letter Of Transmittal June 18, 2012 1

Dear Sir, Enclosed is a copy of A study on tourism industry of Bangladesh : Problems and

Prospects This report is a summary of my findings from the work that I completed
during this year (2012). It is an aid to identify the present problems of tourism and to eliminate these problems and to look out the prospects of tourism in this country. It has included the list of attractive tourist spots in Bangladesh and how to ensure better service to the tourist . This report also includes an assessment of the possible way to use the tourism Management in Bangladesh. If you have any questions and/or comments regarding the interpretation of this report please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your help in this project, and I look forward to working with you again soon.

Sincerely, Syed Foad Roll 06671588 Reg No. 024134 Sec B Department of Management Studies Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Acknowledgement
At the very beginning, I am solemnly thanking the Almighty Allah. I am sincerely thankful to my course coordinator Mr. Shahidul Islam Fakir ; who permitted and supported me to work on tourism industry in Bangladesh. I am extremely grateful for giving me such an opportunity that has enriched my area of knowledge vastly. I also thank all the persons who helped in collecting information from different sources about the problems and prospects of tourism industry in Bangladesh. Especially, I would like to thank my parents who have made it possible for me to be a part of such educational organization and created the way to have excellence in education.

Executive summary Bangladesh is a vacationland and it has many facets for local and foreign tourist. Her tourist attractions include archeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, 3

resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forest and wildlife. Bangladesh is a riverine country having attractive panoramic beauty. There are hills, vales, deep and mangrove forests, rivers and the longest beach in the world. In this country, the scope of nature based tourism, research based tourism, culture based tourism and eco-tourism is quite evident. In Bangladesh, prospective areas are present, minimum infra-structural arrangement is developing, role of government is now positive, private and public organizations have come forward side by side to attract the local and foreign tourists, researchers, dignitaries and foreign delegates. Having all the minimum requirements, the tourism industry could not develop adequately. The cracks of problem could not identify accurately because of paucity of sufficient number of research and investigations in our country. Out of different problems, the researchers have concentrated their focus to human resource development aspect for tourism sector in Bangladesh. It is due to low literacy rate of general people, they cannot communicate with the domestic and foreign tourists significantly. So, the tourists felt discourage to visit repeatedly to the tourist spots. It is not possible to increase literacy rate dramatically to develop communicative skill of mass people. The researchers feel that a group of personnel could be developed on an emergency basis to face the immense need of the tourism industry in Bangladesh. Presently, specialized formal education like bachelors degree, under graduate degree or postgraduate degrees are not available in universities of Bangladesh on tourism. No specialized training program is being found to develop skilled personnel in this regard. In some International Hotels, Parjatan Corporation and at private level tourist agencies very limited scope of on the job training has been developed. This study will facilitate the decision makers to assess the intensity of the problem and to plan accurate measures to train and develop a good number of manpower for facing the current need readily. This could benefit the tourism industry in multiple ways. This could change the economic picture of tourism sector and contribute a big share in the GDP of Bangladesh.

Chapter

SL

Table of Contents Contents Preliminary Pages Letter of Transmittal Acknowledgement 4

Page No.

Chapter One

1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7a 1.7b 1.7c 1.7d 1.7e 1.7f

Executive Summery Main Text Preamble The Research Problem Objectives of the Study Literature Review The Research Gap Justification of the Study Scope of the Study Methodology Of the Study Sample Size Sample Selection Procedure Survey and Investigation Primary Data Collection Sources of Secondary Data

6 7 7 8 8 8 9 11 11 12 for 13 14

Verification of Filled in 14 Questionnaires and Tabulation of Data Data Analysis and Interpretation 15 Organizational Framework of the 15 Research Report Limitations of the Study Current scenario of industry in Bangladesh 16 tourism 17

1.7g 1.7h 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.2 3.0 3.1 4.0 5.0

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

General trends of inbound tourism 18 Major tourist spots 19 Problems and constraints regarding 20 tourism industry Prospects of tourism industry Findings and analysis Conclusion and recommendations Reference & Appendix 21 21 22 23-24

Chapter Four Chapter Five

A study on tourism industry of Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects

The main focus of this study has concentrated on the issues relevant to the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh. However, the details of the objectives of this study are summarizing the nature and categories of tourist attractions in Bangladesh, presenting the tourist facilities available in the country, evaluating the role of some tourism organizations operating in the country, measuring the performance of world tourism sector 5

as well as the performance of Bangladesh tourism industry, measuring the satisfaction of visiting tourists on of different tourism services available in Bangladesh, identifying the constraints to the development of tourism and prescribe necessary suggestions for reforms and improvements of the tourism industry in Bangladesh and forecasting and highlight the potentials of tourism development in the country. 1.0. Preamble Tourism is one of the initiators of people's movement, a facilitator for exchange of knowledge, a provider of pleasure, a way to enjoy leisure, and a means to enrich culture. There was a time when only the elite classes had the time and money to enjoy traveling. Especially before fifties of the twentieth century, travel was the privilege of a few rich, affluent, and perhaps adventurous people. Things have since changed much. "Today, the rise in the standard of living of people in several developed and developing countries along with the fast technological revolution in transport industry has brought overseas holiday within the reach of middle and even working class. Besides, the emergence of cheap holiday through non-scheduled carriers has brought about a major revolution in the concept of holiday package. (Naik, 1977)". Thus, the concept of tourism has now acquired a wider significance among the mass people. People are prone to fun and enjoyment. Being curious, they always want to get the flavor of unseen and unknown for pleasure. Their inherent attraction for the enjoyment of natural beauty and diverse civilization motivate them to discoveries and inventions through extensive traveling. They also intend to gather new experience from new things and new places, get lasting pleasure, and know different unknown cultures through visiting destinations. Besides, tourism is a leisure activity to relief oneself from the stress of daily routine-life. People get depressed of their monotonous workloads and want to escape from the pressures of work-deadlines, avoid crowd city life, break traditional daily life, and thus enjoy some time in a new place having natural and cultural significance. A new place can relieve the monotony of one's existence and -fijl one mind with joy (Haq 2001). For this a large number of people is now moving from one place to another, from one country to other countries, from one end of the world to another, and may be in future, from one planet to other ones (Hossain, 1999). Thus tourism and the resultant movement of people are booming globally. Today, the tourism industry is recognized as the single largest industry in the world. As such tourism has become the largest trade sector in the world and this sector has been recognized as a major thrust area of economic and business activities in most of the destination countries. It has shown a tremendous growth during the past four decades. For most of the destination countries, tourism has become an emerging sector. They are now earning larger portion of their national income from tourism. For this, many destination countries have developed necessary tourism-infrastructure and arranged necessary facilities to fed the tourists and thus reap the potential benefit from tourism activities. Their utmost efforts are yet on to attract increased number of tourists. The impact of modern technology and the resultant introduction of speedy and comparatively cheap air transport have made it possible for the tourism industry to 1.1. The Research Problem 6

By today, tourism has become the largest industry and trade sector in the world generating enough employment opportunities and earning huge amount of foreign exchange for the destination countries. It has created multifaceted impact on people's pleasure, knowledge, overall standard of living, and culture of both the destination and tourist generating countries. Many of the destination countries have marched forward to reap the full potentials of this industry. But Bangladesh is lagging far behind in the growth and development of its tourism industry. Through the country has got many rare attractions substantially different from those of other destination countries, its tourism industry is yet at the primitive stage and has not taken the shape of an industry. The government of Bangladesh, however, has already taken some measures for the development of this industry. But many of those are of very primary nature and have created little impact on the growth and development of this industry. Therefore, it is necessary to uncover the reasons of the backwardness of this industry and identify the loopholes of the present policy measures and thus suggest effective courses of actions to be undertaken by the government and other concerned agencies. 1.2. Objectives of the Study The objectives of the study have emerged from the research problems identified earlier. The main thrust of this study has concentrated on the issues relevant to the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh. However, the details of the objectives of this study are as under: i) To summarize the nature and categories of tourist attractions in Bangladesh; ii) To present the tourist facilities available in the country; iii) To evaluate the role of some tourism organizations operating in the country; iv) To measure the performance of world tourism sector as well as the performance of Bangladesh tourism industry; v) To measure the satisfaction of visiting tourists on of different tourism services available in Bangladesh; vi) To identify the constraints to the development of tourism and prescribe necessary Suggestions for reforms and improvements of the tourism industry in Bangladesh; and vii) To forecast and highlight the potentials of tourism development in the country. 1.3. Literature Review A substantial number of works on tourism as a subject has been done throughout the world. But a relatively few works and literatures on the development of tourism 7

worldwide have been found as yet. Similarly, enough literatures on the same area of tourism industry in Bangladesh are not available. However, a few articles and research reports addressing the marketing issues and dealing with the problems of the tourism industry in a skin-deep manner have been available to the researcher. As a consequence, literatures reviewed for this study include only a handful of papers and the few research reports. These are summarized as under: 1.4. The Research Gap The literatures reviewed earlier section clearly indicates that there has been a considerable expansion of tourism activities worldwide. It is understood that a relatively little attention has been given by the professionals and researchers to the issues of tourism development. Therefore, the study on the development of tourism industry has been largely unexplored. As such, literatures on tourism development throughout the world are not enough. Bangladesh tourism industry, being at its infant stage, is of no exception from this. No comprehensive literature covering the same area has yet been available to the present researchers. Researchers in Bangladesh also do not seem to have much attention to the studies on the development of tourism industry. Therefore, no comprehensive and worthy paper, research monograph, or research report on this issue of tourism industry in Bangladesh has yet come out. The very few literatures available in Bangladesh have tired to suggest the ways and means in the present context of the country for the development of the industry. These existing literatures on Bangladesh tourism are also with inadequate justification and skin-deep analysis. Therefore, these offer little help in developing a framework for further studies by the researchers. As a result, Bangladesh tourism industry has failed to attract a sizeable number of foreign tourists, motivate them to stay longer, obtain better performance of the industry, and thus ensure sustained growth and development of the industry. 1.5. Justification of the Study Through the country has bright prospects to develop a strong tourism industry based on natural, cultural, ecological and historical attractions it is yet aoristically undiscovered and unexplored. Therefore, the concerned authority should identify the reasons for the backwardness of such a potential sector and take appropriate measures to overcome the problems faced by the industry. For this a comprehensive study like the present one seems to be the right attempt in the present context. According to Gilbert (Undated: 164), research is an important aid to feedback and decision making. Its importance lies on the knowing of the relevant facts, formulating strategies on the basis of those facts, and bringing about success in the operation of the industry concerned. In the case of the tourism industry in Bangladesh, these decisions include the identification of the problems faced by the industry and taking necessary corrective measures to direct the industry towards its growth and development. As Bangladesh tourism lags behind in its growth and development and in attracting a significant number of tourists to visit its destinations, the situation therefore calls for the 8

identification of the causes and formulation of policy and strategy measures. The findings. of the present study may be of immense help in these contexts. As there has been no major study covering this area, it is expected that this study will provide sufficient information on the tourism in Bangladesh, Besides, policy makers, service providers, and academicians will also be benefited from a study like this. Furthermore, having tourism sector of Bangladesh much potential this area lends itself to a systematic and structured study. Finally as an emerging research area, this study will provide additional knowledge and literature to the existing ones, and generate interest or thinking for further research on other issues of the tourism industry in Bangladesh. Research Methods This chapter describes the research methods followed in this study. The research methods to follow depend on the problems identified, objectives set and propositions/ hypothesis drawn for the study. However, the details of research methods followed in solving the research problem, achieving the objectives, and assessing the research propositions have been described below. With these ends in view, this chapter has covered the contents such as nature of the study, scope of the study, theoretical propositions, population, sample size, sample selection procedure, and questionnaire preparation. This chapter has also presented sections on pilot survey for questionnaire pre-test, field survey and investigation for primary data collection, sources of secondary data, verification of filled in questionnaires, tabulation, data analysis and interpretation techniques, organizational framework of the report, and limitations of the study. 1.6. Scope of the Study The scope of the study extends to the following aspects: A. Coverage of the Study: (The study has attempted to cover eight main areas. These include the study of (i) nature. and categories of tourist attractions in Bangladesh; (ii) tourism facilities in Bangladesh; (iii) tourism organizations in Bangladesh; (iv) tourism performance; (v) tourists' satisfaction on Bangladesh tourism arrangements; (vi) constraints to the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh; (vii) suggestions for reforms and improvements; and (viii) potentials of tourism development in Bangladesh. The study has attempted both micro and macro level analyses. At the micro level, activities of different tourism firms operating in the country have been analyzed. In the macro level analyses, the overall performance of the industry has been measured. B. Survey Area Coverage: The overall tourism attractions and facilities available in the country have been considered and the whole of Bangladesh is the survey area of this study. In the case of measurement of tourists' satisfaction, tourists visiting any part of the country have been considered to include in the sample. C. Study Period:

The field survey has been conducted and the field level data have been collected during the months from June to July. Data collected for this study have been tabulated during the month of July 2012. D. Samples Included: The research problem along with its objectives and propositions indicate that data should be collected from those firms and parties who are directly or indirectly involved in the business activities of Bangladesh tourism industry, development process of tourism infrastructure or facilities in the country, and interaction process of rendering or receiving tourism services. As such, the scope of different categories of samples taken for this study is limited to the following: i. Tourism Firms: Six types of tourism firms have been examined in this study. These include BPC, Private Tour operators, Airlines, Travel Agencies, Hotels, and Restaurants. These firms are the major role players in the development and business activities of the tourism industry! Hotels and restaurants have been studied as they play important roles to serve tourist guests and in adopting tour operators' services, and thus accelerating the development of tourism activities in Bangladesh. ii. Tourists: The study has included the domestic tourists. It has also chosen the foreign tourists visiting Bangladesh and foreign residents who have visited different destinations of the country. It has basically confined itself to the study of tourists' perceptions on different service arrangements of the tourism industry;..irt Bangladesh. iii. Experts: Academicians, professional guides, travel and tourism writers, retired executives of different tourism firms have also been considered and included in the sample. They have been interviewed for opinion and judgment based information. 3. Theoretical Propositions or Research Questions of the Study It has already been mentioned that enough research-based literatures on the present area of the tourism industry in Bangladesh are not available. Therefore/it has not been possible to draw any precise hypothesis regarding the problem under study. Nevertheless, on the basis of the survey of available literatures and expert opinion, the researchers have attempted to draw some theoretical propositions and have verified/ evaluated those in light of the analysis of findings. These broad propositions are related to the key issues of the research problem and have been developed to achieve the objectives of the study. These propositions along with the scope of the study have defined the extent and coverage of the study and guided the researchers in choosing necessary data to be collected. Finally, the researchers have put forwarded those propositions for policy and managerial implications. However, the propositions drawn for this study include the following: A. Bangladesh tourism industry has not been able to provide necessary tourism infrastructure and facilities for tourists. B. Adequate number of tourism is not available in the country and the existing firms are not yet fully equipped with necessary manpower, technology and facilities. 10

C. The overall performance of the tourism industry in Bangladesh is poor. D. The measures undertaken by the government are modest in nature and much need to be done for the development of the industry. E. Bangladesh can expect to become an important visiting destination by adopting effective and practical strategies in the context of the findings of this study. 1.7a. Methodology Of the Study Eight categories of population have been set based on the objectives and scope of the study. These are (i) executives of the BPC, (ii) owners of private tour operators (TOAB members), (Hi) tourists visiting the country, (iv) executives of the airlines, (v) owners of travel agencies, (vi) hotel receptionists, (vii) restaurants managers, and (viii) experts! The first category consists of currently employed executives of the BPC. An up to date TOAB (Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh) members' list consisting of names and addresses of 5 firms has been used as the base of population for the second category. As of the foreign tourists travel Bangladesh in the month of November To January it was hard to find foreign tourist for the study . The size and composition of population for the tourist category is not precisely known and their proper categorization could not be made. The above mentioned three categories of population have been considered for questionnaire survey. The last five categories of population have been used for informal conversations. Since no up to date list of travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants operating in Bangladesh has been found, the sizes of population for these three sectors remain unknown. The expert category of population includes academicians, travel writers, professional guides, and ex-executives of tourism firms. 1.7b. Sample Size The foremost and important step of primary data collection is the selection of sample from which data to collect. One of the important criteria of this selection is to include those tour operators who have professional experience of dealing tours and tourists. It is mentioned earlier that the study has considered eight categories of samples. Four top executives (three directors and one general manager) of four separate divisions and 'the chairman of the BPC has constituted the sample for the first category of respondents. A total number of ten private tour operators have been taken in the sample of the second category of respondents. In an attempt to gauge the perceptions/attitudes of tourists, a total number of 10 (7 domestic and 3 foreign)'tourists have been selected in the sample of this category. Necessary information has been collected from them to obtaining feedback on some selected issues of the tourism arrangements in Bangladesh. Besides, eight sales executives of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and two sales executive of GMG airline have constituted the sample for this category. For the retailers' category of respondents, a total number of twenty-five travel agencies have constituted the sample for this category. In addition, receptionists of five different hotels and managers of another five restaurants have been included in the samples of these two categories. Finally, talked to tourism experts to collect their opinion through informal conversations. The following table shows different categories of samples and their respective sizes:

11

It should be mentioned that out of 3 respondent foreign tourists, 2 are from each of the USA and 1 from Malaysia. Out of the 10 respondent-tourists, 80% are male and 20% are female. Their ages range from 20 to 40 years. As found in the study, the larger segments of the respondent tourist fall in the age intervals 20-30, 30-40. 1.7c. Sample Selection Procedure To assess the potentials of tourism development in Bangladesh, top executives of different tourism firms have been included in the samples. Because these people are relatively more experienced and directly or indirectly involved in providing tourism services and other tourism related activities in Bangladesh. More specifically, chairman, three directors from three separate divisions and one general manager from administration division have been selected from the BPC for the purpose of interviews. For the tour operators' category of sample, attempt has been made to draw 5 firms from the TOAB members' list through an unbiased lottery. For selecting the sample respondents from 5 tour operators, each has been given a number like 1, 2, 3,....., serially. These numbers have been written on 10 separate small pieces of white papers of the same size. Questionnaire Preparation: Three different sets of questionnaires have been prepared to conduct the field survey. All these questionnaires have sought information concerning the following issues: (a). Nature and categories of tourist attractions in Bangladesh. (b). Tourism facilities in Bangladesh. (c). Role of different tourism firms in the development of tourism in Bangladesh. (d). Performance of tourism sectors both worldwide and in Bangladesh and evaluation of present market size of Bangladesh tourism industry in the context of world-tourism market. (e). Tourists' satisfaction on Bangladesh tourism arrangements. (f). Constraints to the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh. (g). Suggestions concerning policy and managerial implications for the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh, (h). Potentials of tourism development in general in Bangladesh. For the very nature of the information and also of the study, some "what, why and/or how-type" questions have been developed and posed in many cases to collect attitudinal, behavioural, value-judgement and opinion related information. As such, insight understanding of the researcher has to be used very carefully to explore the extent of information required for the concerned issue(s) of each question. 12

Expert opinions have been taken to improve all three sets of questionnaires designed initially. Their opinions have also been utilized to identify the key problems and solve those problems of the industry efficiently and effectively, and to measure the potentials of the sector under study. No formal questionnaire or interview schedule has been used to collect information from the respondents of airlines, travel agencies, hotel receptionists and managers of restaurants. All three sets of questionnaires have emphasized the underlying issues to identify the constraints to the tourism development in Bangladesh and prescribe the policy and managerial implications for improvement. These questionnaires especially attempted to highlight the potentials of tourism sector in general. Besides, careful attempt has been made to cover all the relevant issues and thus make the questionnaire comprehensive. Survey for Questionnaire Pre-test Questionnaires have been developed independently by the researchers. Before launching the field survey, three-fold pilot surveys have been conducted to pre-test the questionnaires, modify the questions set, and thus finalize them. The main purposes of these pilot surveys have been to test the availability of data, examine the practicability of the questions, and understand about the topics to cover for such comprehensive and exhaustive interviews. Another purpose of the pilot survey is to be acquainted with the relevant technical aspects on the subject matter of the study. Thus these pilot surveys and pre-tests have served the purposes of improving the questionnaires. 1.7d. Survey and Investigation for Primary Data Collection Data pertaining to the potentials of tourism development in Bangladesh have been collected from the key persons engaged with BPC and 5 randomly selected tour operators through in-depth personal interview with pre-designed questionnaires. In order to understand the impressions of the tourists, an in-depth face-to-face interview with 7 domestic tourists has been conducted. Another exit interview with another 3 foreign tourists has also been conducted at different hotel lounges and at the exit point of the departure lounge of Zia International Airport (ZIA). In the interview, respondents have answered some unstructured questions on their own and rated some other structured questions focused by the seven points on the Likert Scale discussed earlier.

1.7e. Sources of Secondary Data The research agenda made it necessary to review the available literatures and documents. It should again be mentioned again that enough secondary data have not been found due to unavailability of such data. Whatever limited secondary data could be made available those have been incorporated effectively, logically and carefully in this study. For this, some relevant literatures on tourism in general have been collected from different newspapers, magazines, journals, periodicals, internets, and research reports. Souvenirs, 13

brochures, travel handbooks, leaflet, and folders of different tour operators have also been found useful. Other published and unpublished materials of both the government and nongovernment agencies have also provided some required information. Thereafter, necessary desk research on the available literatures has been conducted and proper adjustments made in light of the purposes of this study. Through the desk research, the collected information have been reviewed extensively to assimilate ideas for the research work, synthesize necessary concepts for the theoretical framework and justify logic of the researcher's comments. A thorough review of literature has enabled the researchers to obtaining a coherent picture of the problem considered in this study. Thus, theoretical propositions have been drawn and documented carefully to comply with the requirements of the study. An attempt has been made to provide enough logical interpretations throughout the report. Relevant descriptive exerts have also been used to provide the literature base, justify the arguments and prepare the theoretical framework of the report. Thus, attempt has been made to collect sufficient primary and secondary data from all the above mentioned sources to define the research problem, develop a theoretical base, raise necessary arguments, justify logic, identify the constraints to the development of the tourism industry in Bangladesh, draw effective policy and managerial implications for it, and highlight potentials of tourism development in Bangladesh. 1.7f. Verification of Filled in Questionnaires and Tabulation of Data The researchers themselves have monitored, overseen and supervised the data collection activities of the field-workers. The field-workers submitted everyday the filled in questionnaires and reported about the progress and problems of data collection. Thereafter, the researchers have verified the questionnaires field in by the respondents and submitted by the field-workers to make sure about the consistency of data and completeness of the questionnaires. In the case of any problem, inconsistency of data, and/or any other anomaly, attempt has been made to contact with the respondents again to review those data or solve the problem or remove anomaly and thus make necessary corrections immediately. In some problem cases, the researchers themselves visited the sample firm to handle the situation and review the information. After careful verification of the filled in questionnaires and necessary corrections over there, a trained personnel has tabulated the collected information under the direct supervision of the researchers. The tabulation has been done manually but with utmost care and sincerity. Thus, the chances of errors or mistakes are expected to be minimal. Thereafter, the tabulated data were summarized and arranged under suitable classification and analyzed according to the objectives set earlier. 1.7g. Data Analysis and Interpretation There is no standard technique of data analysis for qualitative researchers, though the quantitative researchers have different standard statistical tools like standard deviation, correlation/regression analysis, factor analysis, multi-variant analysis, etc (Islam and Hossain, 2000). Therefore, Islam and Hossain blamed this qualitative research as problematic. Besides, the nature of the problem, the type of the research, and the purposes of the study adhered to this specific case have made it impractical to use any advanced 14

statistical tool. Of course, Miles and Huberman (1984) have suggested three stages of data analysis for qualitative research such as data reduction, data display, and drawing and verifying conclusions (In Islam and Hossain, 2000). As such, the researchers in their present research have applied this approach to a greater extent. Potentials of tourism development in Bangladesh have been presented theoretically on the basis of responses given by the respondents and also on the basis of comments and arguments available in different secondary literatures. Performance of tourism industry in Bangladesh has been measured in light of foreign currency earned from, employment generated by, and growth achieved in this sector. Presentation of simple mean-scores, ' calculated on the basis of responses made by the respondent tourists on a seven-point Likert Scale, also reflects the performances as well as tourists' satisfaction on different tourism service-arrangements in Bangladesh. Here, the nature of questions has been structured and the responses on the scale associated with the questions have been valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in order to convert the qualitative responses into quantitative forms. Thus the questionnaire designed for the respondent tourists incorporated objective questions each consisting of seven dimensions,. The perception scores obtained on these objective issues have been totaled first. The total value/score thus derived from each of such questions has then been averaged to find the mean value/score of the issue under consideration and indicate the extent of tourists' satisfaction on an average on each issue separately. Thus, these mean scores have been presented to indicate the extent of tourists' satisfaction on that particular tourism-service in Bangladesh. Side by side, the overall mean perception-score has also been calculated to indicate the overall satisfaction of the tourists on the totality of tourism arrangements in Bangladesh. In some of the cases, data have been analyzed and interpreted through the use of conventional statistical tools like percentage, simple growth rate, and standard deviation. The standard deviation of the mean scores on different tourism issues in Bangladesh has been calculated to show the range of differences among them and thus indicate whether they are meaningful in a sense that they are within the acceptable limit or narrow range. 1.7h. Organizational Framework of the Research Report The write-up of this research report has been organized in ten different chapters. Logical sequence has been maintained in framing and organizing the report. The first chapter starts with presentation of the introductory discussion. With this end, the chapter broadly includes preamble, the research problem, and objectives of the study, literature review, the research gap, and justification of the study. The purpose of the second chapter is to describe the research methods of the study. To this end, the content of this chapter includes the nature of the study, scope of the study, theoretical propositions of the study, population, sample size, sample selection procedure, questionnaire preparation, pilot survey, field survey and investigation for primary data collection, sources of secondary data, verification of filled in questionnaire and tabulation of data, data analysis and interpretation, organizational framework of the research report, and limitations of the study.

15

Chapter three discusses the nature and categories of tourist attractions in Bangladesh. Chapter four presents tourism facilities in Bangladesh and chapter five evaluates the role of different tourism organizations operating in Bangladesh. Chapter six attempts to measure the performance of world tourism industry as well as tourism industry in Bangladesh. This has been done in terms of tourist arrivals, earnings from tourism, and employment generation. Chapter seven measures tourists' satisfaction on different tourism servicearrangements in Bangladesh. Chapter eight points out some constraints to the development of tourism industry and chapter nine prescribes necessary suggestions for policy and managerial implications. Chapter ten forecasts and highlights the potentials of tourism development in Bangladesh. Finally, chapter eleven evaluates the propositions, presents implications, concludes with remarks, and depicts the scope for further research. 1.8. Limitations of the Study In every research project, research outcome may face some limitations. The present project is of no exception from this. As such, the researchers feel that this study has also few limitations. Of course, the researchers have always been sincere to keep the limitations at minimal. In spite of all sincere efforts, the researchers could not control some limitations which the study may contain finally. The first and foremost among the limitations of this study could be the related with the samples selected for the study. The researchers feel that it would be better and representative if the size of samples, especially in the case of foreign tourists, could be relatively larger. The present study has investigated only a total number of 250 tourists mainly due to resource constraints. Only 250 respondent tourists out of the total inflow of about two lacs foreign tourists every year and another five lacs domestic tourists may or may not represent the total impressions of the tourists visiting different destinations in Bangladesh. Besides, perceptions or opinions of some purposely-selected tourists have been considered in this study. The findings based on these selected tourists only may, therefore, limit to the generalization. However, the careful and cautious considerations of secondary information and descriptive statements available in literatures have given some insights to generalize the findings. Nevertheless, since the study has considered a small number of tourists, the conclusion with regard to the visiting behaviours, preferences of tourists, and satisfaction on Bangladesh tourism arrangements could not be thought concrete. Besides, the researcher could not include some tourism firms locating outside Dhaka city in the samples and collect information from them, though tourism firms are also (travel agencies, hotels and restaurants) operating throughout the country. Thus, the study is also subject to location biases and market-biases with regard to samples selected. The second limitation is that some sample respondents have been found so conservative to respond and provide some necessary information Respondent tourists have not agreed with some issues incorporated in the questionnaire and not answered those issues under the questions. As such, it has not been possible to fully evaluate all the issues relevant to tourism development in Bangladesh and thus measure the entire potentials of this industry. In the case of suggestions relating to government policy measures, some of them avoided answering those questions on silly grounds. Of course, the validity and the reliability of information collected for this study may not pose any confusion and the authenticity of the findings may not be subject to any question. 16

The third limitation is the non-availability of literature on Bangladesh tourism. This has limited the researchers to develop any comprehensive insights into the problem under consideration and thus draw any precise hypothesis and test it accordingly. The fourth limitation is related with the assessment of contribution made by the tourism sector in the economy of Bangladesh. The foreign currency income alone does not reflect the real income of the country from tourism sector, No concrete calculation procedure is there to assess the actual income from tourism sector in Bangladesh. Besides, there are some hidden expenditure of tourists and some income of different tourism firms that are not properly documented and could not be taken into account. Moreover, the income of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, private airline, and private tour operators could not be collected and shown due to their unwillingness to provide such data. Further, all these incomes have multiplier effect on the overall economy of the country. Thus the no documentation and no availability of data have led the researcher to reflect or present a part of the total contribution of the tourism sector on the economy in Bangladesh. The fifth is with regard to the amount of fund available for conducting such an industry-based detail study. The personal source has allocated the required amount both for conducting the study and publication of the report. The fund provided from personal source could not be enough for the required amount. Still, the researchers should acknowledge that time constraint has been another loop in completing such a vigorous research work. Therefore, on this ground of time cons the findings of this study could be discounted at least to some extent. Tourism is sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non residents, in so far as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity1. Union of official Travel Organizations (IUOTO) in 1937 and is still widely accepted by the nations^. According to IUOTO, "The term 'tourist' shall in principle be interpreted to mean any person traveling for a period of 24 hours or more in a country other than in which he usually resides". 2.0Current scenario of tourism industry in Bangladesh TOURISM in Bangladesh is an industry of immense potentials. In recent years, this industry has emerged as a force having economic, social and cultural impact across the country. Bangladesh is bestowed with bounty of nature and immense beauty. Its captivating natural beauties attracted many travellers from far and wide through the ages. The country is also heir to a rich cultural legacy. Bangladesh is a combination of verdant forests, riverine countryside, and long stretches of sun-bathed beaches, fearsome wilds, meandering rivers and venerable shrines. Bordering the mighty Bay of Bengal stands this magical tapestry in green with all the glory of its past and the splendid colours of its natural present. The range of the hills clad in lush green thickets are treasured locations for ecotourists and wildlife watchers. At the head of this terrain is Cox's Bazaar which is as 17

romantic as its name is to the outside world. The Hill Districts to the north and north-east of Cox's Bazaar nestle the Kaptai and Rangamati lakes, a 840 sq.km body of crystal clear water lying in sylvan shadows not far from where a dozen hill tribes follow their traditional life-styles. The Tea District of Sylhet in the far north-east of the country has prospects of tourism, as does the Sundarbans, a large mangrove forest in the South which is home of the Bengal tiger; remains of palaces of old principalities andarchaeological sites of Buddhist monasteries. Shrines and holy places, mosques and temples, particularly in the northern part of the country, are among the tourist treasures of Bangladesh. 2.1 General trends of inbound tourism Unfortunately, since its independence in 1971 following a devastating war of liberation, Bangladesh has gotten publicity about negative incidents like natural calamities, cyclones, floods and epidemics, in the international media, and this adversely affected international tourist flows to the country. The trend appears to have continued in recent years. Statistics showing foreign tourist arrivals for ten years to July 2006 is presented in annex table 1. For three consecutive years up to 2006, there has been encouraging annual growth in international tourist arrivals. It is expected that the growth rate would further increase in the coming years. It is also expected that eco-tourists and special interest tourists will increasingly choose Bangladesh as one of their destinations.

2.2 Major tourist spots We tend to put major emphasis on certain tourist areas rather than individual projects. Cox's Bazaar Resort is among our major preoccupations, because we want to develop this resort in a sustainable way. Another priority is Kuakata,the second resort area of the country. We are encouraged to develop the tourism resources of the Sundarbans. Projects for development and conservation of our archaeological sites are no less important for development of educational and cultural tourism. Other projects are Saint Martins island, Burdorban, Sonargoan, Kantajee temple, Paharpor etc. 18

Coxs bazaar Ancient name of coxs bazar was Bakolia. Burmese king Mon Waing attract coxs bazaar in1784. Then the government of east india company appointed captain Hiram cox as a superintendent. And then for the time being the name was changed to coxs bazar. The sea side tourist township of Bangladesh boasting the worlds longest(120 km.) beach sloping gently down into the blue water of the Bay of Bengal- Coxs Bazaar is one of the most attractive tourist spots of the country. Tourist attraction in coxx bazaar Inani Himchhari Ramu Moheskhali Sonadip

Kuakata
Cooing kuakata, the lowland lass of latachapli in the sea-facing south of Bangladesh is 70 km. from Patuakhali District Headquarters and 320 km. from the capital City Dhaka. Here on the Bay, nature left to nature is the up and coming tourist hamlet of Kuakata with cool and kind holidaying kiss. Fascinating name Kua(well), Kata(dug) was perhaps given to it by the earliest Rakhyne settlers from kingdom of Arakan who landmarked the place by digging a well. Fabled curative qualities of well-waters of Kuakata are still a matter of willing suspension of disbelief. Fascinating still more is the sight of the sun at dawn rising from the depths of the sea and sinking into the same at dusk which can be glanced from the same point.

Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest of the world. Criss-crossing and canals creeping around ten thousand islets swell and sink with the tide in the bay. The cluster of isles, the water-bodies and mangroves together support an eco-system at once unique and agile develop the Sundarbans into a treasure-trove of biodiversity. Location Sundarbans is situated in the south-west corners of Bangladesh. In the east it is bordered by the Baleshwar river, in the south is the Bay of Bengal and to the north there is sharp interface with intensively cultivated land. Western borderline of the Sundarbans abuts with the Indian portion of it.

Area
Total area- 5772.85 sq.km. Forest-4016.85 sq. km. River, Canals and Channels- 1756.00 sq. km.

Attractions
The attractions of the Sundarbans are varied and many. It is the worlds largest mangrove formation on the Bay of Bengal. Wild unspoiled and unpolluted beaches are scattered here and there along the borderline of the Bay. Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, squirrel, rhesus monkey, barking deer, wild boar, dolphin etc. of the reptile species there are estuarine crocodiles, pythons, lizards, flap-shelled spotted turtles and green turtles.

Saint Martins Island

St. Martins island is a small island in the northeast part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km. south of the Coxs Bazar-Teknaf peninsular trip in the southernmost part of Bangladesh. The local people call it Narikel Jinjira. There are 2 small dead lagoons and a stretch of marshy land in Dakshinpara. 19

The above are the some of the tourist attractions of Bangladesh. There are many more tourist attractions like : Sonargoan, Rajbari ,Paharpur etc. 3.0 Problems and constraints regarding tourism industry Infrastructure development and the resources required for that purpose are major problems standing in the way of tourism development. Planned development of the tourist product is partly dependent on the socio-economic conditions of the country, and this is problem as well. Marketing of Bangladesh tourism abroad faces constraints created by inadequate funds and lack of knowledge. The problems of tourism industry are summed up below.. Lack of transport links (air, rail, road and sea transport connecting major touris destinations). Lack of sincerity and political will to promote Bangladesh as a common tourism destination: This emanates due to competition between the countries for tourists, given that all of the countries offer somewhat similar tourist products and compete in the same markets in the world. There has been a lack of funds and technical expertise. The little seed money that the Bangladesh Tourism Fund has been established with can pump prime the initial take-off, with publication of promotional materials and familiarization tours. Absence of effective coordination: This stands in the way of effective coordination among the relevant departments, agencies and ministries in Bangladesh. Complicated visa and border formalities are the most crucial factor that stands in the way particularly of intra-regional tourism. Though discussions have taken place, not much easing out in this area is yet in place. Government tax on hotel accommodation and food facility in Bangladesh is also not adequate. An ADB report points out that Hotel rates in Dhaka are high compared to neighboring countries, reflecting the high taxation imposed on hotels in Bangladesh. Lack of government policy is also a problem for tourism industry. This indicates that our tourism is in a problem of proper guide line. Corruption is one of the major problems regarding tourism industry in Bangladesh. For that some foreign tourist fell into problem in their smooth and continue journey in Bangladesh. 3.1 Prospects of tourism industry As Bangladesh has the ultimate natural beauty it no needs to say that it has great prospect in tourism. The prospect of tourism is summed up below. Tourism industry may be turned into the major source of earning foreign currency for Bangladesh. It has the ability to introduce Bangladesh with the people around the world. Tourism industry can also help us to create a better image in the world. It can also help Bangladesh in business purpose. 20

 Bangladesh has a large number of tourist spot in its area. All of them are special in their own character. So all of them have individual attraction for the tourist if some contractual work is done for easier movement. These tourist spots also can eliminate the unemployment problem of Bangladesh. Specialist said that more than 30% employment could be increased if the government takes proper step for the development of tourism areas. The government of Bangladesh can earn a huge amount of revenue from this sector which can help Bangladesh to establish a healthy economic condition. If we can promote Coxs Bazaar and Sundarban properly the prospects of tourism industry in Bangladesh will be better. As a third world country in the world Bangladesh can promote its position through the proper utilization of tourism industry. Thus the overall condition can be improved by proper utilization of tourism sector. 4.0 Findings and analysis Tourism industry of Bangladesh has a greater impact and prospect in the overall socio-economic condition of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a large number of known and unknown tourist spot around the country such as Coxs Bazar, Kuakata, Kantajee Tample, Saint Martins Island, Sonargoan, Syllet, Sundarbans, Ramsagor, and so on. In the Bangladesh, tourism has not achieved the optimal level of development and status .Tourism business in Bangladesh, as measured by yearly tourist arrivals. With 1 million in 2004 it constitutes about 0 .125 per cent of world total of over 800 million. A large number of tourists come to visit Bangladesh each and every year. Though these number can be increased through proper steps and policies. About 446421000 taka was earned from the tourism sector in Bangladesh in 2006. But it is not adequate with our spots. We can earn double or triple amount by taking proper policies. Notional tourism policy was formed in 1992. And in the 2005 it is developed and updated. But yet it needs some additional change in the whole policy. Tourism master plan of Bangladesh was formed in 1988. But now the world is more competitive in every sector. So it need some change to compete with the other country. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is the national tourism organization. They have lack of resource and man power facility. So, though they want to do something but cant. Though communication and transport system in Bangladesh is quite well established, the infrastructure in the tourist places is yet to be fully developed. People of Bangladesh are generally very hospitable and tourist friendly. The country possesses some unique archaeological sites, cultural heritage and ecotourism products like the worlds largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, the worlds longest unbroken sea beach in Coxs Bazar (120 km), the oldest archaeological site in the Southern Himalayas-Paharpur and worlds largest terracotta temple - Kantajee Temple in Dinajpur, and spectacular monuments and mausoleums of language movement and liberation war of the country. 21

 Absence of a regular policy direction. Due to absence of proper policy direction, BPC or the private sector can not receive any fund or loan from any quarter. The country often suffers from image crisis. The country continues to remain as an unknown destination to the tourist generating countries. Government has formulated favorable foreign investment policy to attract overseas investors in readymade garments, leather goods, natural gas and petroleum sector and liberal policy for joint venture investment in tourism sector. Bangladesh is a country of natural disaster. In 2007, Sidr attracted our country and made a huge damage to the whole country as well as the tourist spots. 5.0 Conclusion and recommendations There are so many problems, the researcher found regarding tourism in Bangladesh. The customers of tourism market are price sensitive and want security in tourist place. To expand the market it is necessary to set competitive price. In the development of tourism industry the following recommendations should be considered .. Budget tourism aimed at all age groups, particularly the young generation of backpackers needs to be developed, with economy travel, easing of visa formalities, dissemination of information and low-cost but comfortable accommodations, etc. Develop the management education on tourism Marketing and prepare marketing or sales people to sell the product properly to the right place in local and global perspectives as well. Investment opportunities with liberal incentives need to be communicated to both national and international investors. Human resource development for tourism through formal and informal education, training and exchange visits is of utmost importance for Bangladesh. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation should create pressure on Govt. to implement her policy more strictly regarding the quality of service. As a result private service provider will be able to face competition on an even ground. Quality of service needs to be improved. For the purpose, training at different levels from top management down to door boys should be initiated at national and regional levels. Private sector in this field should be encouraged by the BPC and as well as Government officials. Security of the tourist should consider with great care. Bangladesh is a third world country with a lot of potentials in different sectors. Tourism is one of the most important sectors of those. Though several steps has been taken the above recommendations should also be considered. National Tourism Policy has developed in 2010 to promote tourism in Bangladesh. From overall point of view, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is a only one government tourism service provider firm in Bangladesh, which practices modern marketing concept. But in some sector they are lagging behind. There has a lot of opportunities to earn foreign and local revenue from this sector but this sector is totally ignored. So the government should take into consideration this sector while making policy. 22

1. Name of the respondent 2. Sex of the respondent

Reference Segment 1 (Personal Question) 3.Age 0.Male 1.Female 4. Nationality

1. Asian Development Bank (ADB), TA No. 6131-STU: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Tourism Development Plan, Final Report,August 2004 2. Conference Summary and Final Report, Center for Global Change, University of Maryland at College and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Washington, DC, 1-2 December 1994. 3. Govt of Bangladesh, National Tourism Policy 1992, and National Industrial Policy2010. 4. Tosun, C. and Jenkins, C.L. (1998), ``The evo lution of tourism planning in third world countries: a critique, Progress in Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 101-14. 5. website : www.banladeshtourism.gov.bd www.bangladeshonline.com/tourism/spots

Appendix Segment 2 (Domestic Travelers) 1. Ho many times do you travel inside the country in a year? 23 1 2 3 Do not visit

2. What was the length of your recent visit? 3. What was the spot you have visited?

Overnight 2 5 Days + Days .(Please specify)

Day

4. What are the other spots you have visited? 1. 2. 5. What kind of overnight accommodation (if 1. Hotel/Motel 2. Rented House applicable)? 3. Relative/Friend 4.Others 6(i). Did your most recent vacation (trip) meet your 1.Yes 2. No expectations? 6(ii) .If not Why? 7. What are the problems you have faced traveling? .. . Segment 3 (Foreign Travelers) 1. How many times do you have visited Bangladesh? 2. By which airlines you have visited the country? 3. What are spots you have visited? 1 More than 2 .(Specify) 2

1. Coxs 2.Sudarban 3. Madhokundo Bazar 4. St. Martin 5. Bandarban 6. 4. Which one is the most attractive spot in your . sense? 5. Do you think the cost to travel in Bangladesh is reasonable? 2.No 1.Yes 6. In which transport you have visited? Bus Train Others 7. What kind of overnight accommodation (if applicable)? 8. Do you wish to visit Bangladesh again ? 1. Hotel/Motel 3. Relative/Friend 0 Yes 2. Rented House 4.Others 0 No

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