Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mount Batur
While it’s not the highest point on Bali, Mount Batur is situated on one of the island’s most
dramatic landscapes. Climbing to the top of Mount Batur to watch the sunrise is a popular
activity. It’s a relatively easy climb that anyone in reasonable shape can achieve in around
two hours.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu
One of the nine major Hindu temples on the island. Founded in the 11th century, the temple
was built at the edge of a limestone cliff top jutting out over the sea.
Lovina
The largest resort area on the north coast of Bali, Lovina is best known for the black volcanic
sand of its 5-mile beach. Encompassing several small villages, the area is a popular spot for
snorkeling and scuba diving adventures as the northern waters are calmer than those to the
south.
Sanur Beach
Located in the village of Denpasar in southeast Bali, quiet Sanur Beach is a popular
destination for older visitors, which has earned the spot the nickname “Snore Beach. Sanur
has several important historic sites, including the Blanjong Temple, which contains a column
bearing inscriptions that date back to the 9th century.
LANGKAWI
An Introduction To Langkawi Islands
Langkawi is a popular island located off the coast of Malaysia in the stunningly clear
Andaman. While it's in Malaysia, technically speaking it's in between Malaysia and Thailand
and is a part of the Thai state of Kedah. Because of this, it has a tax-free status.
The islands are a geopark and UNESCO heritage sites.
Location
Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands separated from mainland Malaysia by the Strait of
Malacca, is a district of the state of Kedah in northern Malaysia and lies approximately 51
km west of Kedah. The total distance from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi island (Kuah Jetty
Point) is around 510 - 515 Kilometres.
Land Area
The total covered area of all Langkawi islands together is about 478.5 square kms out of
which the main island covers an area of 320 square kms. About 70% of the
main island comprises of mountains, forests and natural vegetation.
Population
The population of Langkawi main island is about 75,000 and the total population is close to
110,000. Majority (about 70%) are Malays. There are also small percentages of Chinese,
Indian and Thai population in the island.
Visitor And Tourism
On 1 June 2007, Langkawi Island was given a World Geopark status by UNESCO. Three of
its main conservation areas in Langkawi Geopark are Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park,
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest park (Island of the
Pregnant Maiden Lake). These three parks are the most popular tourism area within
Langkawi Geopark. In 2014, UNESCO issued a "yellow card" warning threatening the status
of the Geopark. Langkawi's own resident population is small, around 3 million tourists visit
the island annually.
Transportation
The Langkawi International Airport connects the island to Kuala
Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, and Subang. The main island is well-served by a number of
roads.
The Island of Langkawi does not have public transportation, but the people can still use taxis
or rent a vehicle (car, bicycle, motorbike, scooter, etc.). All taxis have a standard fixed price
system with the fare from one part of the island to another is always being the same. As an
alternative, ride hailing apps, such as Grab, also operate on the island.
Airport
The Langkawi International Airport is one of the 7 international airports in Malaysia and
connects the island to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, and Subang. The main island is
well-served by a number of roads.
Pantai Kok
Often rated as the best beach in Langkawi for a luxurious holiday, Pantai Kok provides both
gorgeous stretches of sand and a selection of high-end resorts. On the western coast near the
Langkawi Cable Car, the beach area boasts a wide range of bars and restaurants.
Dataran Lang (Eagle Square)
Dataran Lang, also known as Eagle Square, is a striking 12 metre-tall sculpture of an eagle
poised to take flight is displayed atop an elevated platform. Set in Kuah, this prominent
landmark is just a five-minute walk from Kuah Jetty, Jetty Point Mall
Langkawi Cable Car
Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors on a vertiginous 15-minute ride to the top of mount Mat
Cincang, offering breath-taking views of Langkawi’s rainforests, islets, and waterfalls. The
journey starts out at the Oriental Village where you’ll pass several stops fitted with open-air
view decks along the way.
Underwater World Langkawi
Underwater World Langkawi houses more than 500 species of sea creatures including
harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, seahorses, as well as flamingos and mandarin ducks.
One of the highlights is a 15-metre walkthrough underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy
close-up views of sharks, giant stingrays, and green turtles.
Gunung Raya
With an altitude of 881 metres, Gunung Raya is hailed as the highest peak in Langkawi.
According to local beliefs, the mountain is the cursed form of a giant called Mat Raya, who
had once lived on the island.
Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise
Great for families and animal lovers, Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise houses over
2,500 exotic birds from 150 species such as canaries, ducks, parakeets, owls, eagles, toucans,
hornbills and flamingos.
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum
Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum features more than 200 impressive artworks that
appear almost lifelike when photographed. Hailed as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia
and second largest in the world.
Airport
Beijing capital international airport
Most of the popular sections of the great wall are located around beijing. That being so,
beijing capital international airport (pek) is the closest airport to visit the great wall of china.
Visitor And Tourism
The best time to visit the Great Wall depends on the natural scenery that you prefer and the
section of the Great Wall you plan to visit. According to China Highlights, the further north
you travel, the colder and rainier the weather will be. Spring trips provide a view of fresh
foliage and allow you to avoid the summer tourism season. Summer means larger crowds,
but it also provides a view of blooming flowers. July and August bring the most rain. Winter
brings the fewest tourists because of the cold temperatures, but the snow on the mountains
can provide a stunning view. In 2018, the Badaling Great Wall received more than 9.9
million visitors.
Problem Associated With The Great Wall of China
The Wall has collapsed as a result of illegal mining.
Human activities cause considerable damage to the Great Wall. The nearby residents take
bricks and stones from the Great Wall for their own use
The development of tourism has also brought harm to the Great Wall. For example,
farmhouses and other public facilities have been built at the foot of the wall. Some sections
were altered to cater to other uses instead of being preserved.
Some tourists vandalize the Great Wall with graffiti, throwing rubbish on it, and other
damaging behaviors. Moreover, the Great Wall suffered grave damage during previous wars.
Some Attractions That’s Make The Great Wall of China So Famous And A
Brand Destination
Mutianyu
The most magnificent fully-restored Great Wall section.
The Mutianyu section is the most popular among foreign travelers. This is the most child-
friendly section.
Jinshanling
most popular Great Wall hiking route.
The Jinshanling section is part of a popular hiking route from Jinshanling to Simatai. The
Great Wall at Jinshanling is half restored and half wild. It is also the most beautiful
section of the Great Wall.
Jiankou
Totally wild; the most challenging/steep section.
The jiankou section’s broken wildness and perilous steepness make it the most dangerous
section of the great wall.
Simatai
The only section opened for a night tour.
The simatai section incorporates different characteristics of each section of the great wall.
And visitors can have a night tour on the great wall.
Significant Reason Why People Visit The Great Wall of China
TAJ MAHAL
An Introduction To Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal in Agra is synonymous with India. The eternal beauty of the monument lies in its
location, architecture and the feeling that went behind its construction. For times immemorial
the Taj will stand as a symbol of eternal love. The Taj Mahal in India is a must visit for
everyone at least once in a lifetime. The Taj Mahal finds its place amongst the 7 wonders of
the World. It is definitely one of the most photographed and written monuments of the
World. The majestic Taj Mahal attracts tourists from far and away.
History
Taj Mahal. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648
by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj
Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of
the world's heritage.
Location
City: Agra, on the banks of river Yamuna
State: Uttar Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: 204 Km (approx)
How to Reach Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is located at Agra, which is just 204 kms from the capital city of India, New
Delhi. Hence the place is easily accessible via rails, roads and air and hence can be reached
easy and quick.
Airport
Indira gandhi international airport
Tourists from every nook and corner of the world prefer delhi to reach india. Once you are in
delhi, you can find cabs, buses, trains and other transportation to reach agra. There are daily
flights from delhi to agra and vice versa.
Taj Mahal Complex
The courtyard (Jilaukhana)
Saheli Burj
Khawasspuras
The main gate (Darwaza-i rauza)
The gardens (Chahar bagh)
Al Hawd al-Kawthar
The museum of the Taj Mahal
Chameli Farsh
The mausoleum
The Guest Pavilion (Jawab)
The Mosque
The enclosure and doors
The North Shore (Mehtab Bagh)
Visitor And Tourism
The Taj Mahal attracts a large number of tourists. UNESCO documented more than 2 million
visitors in 2001, which had increased to about 7–8 million in 2014. In 2018, almost 6.5
million people visited the Taj Mahal, according to statistics from the Indian Ministry
of Tourism.
The small town to the south of the Taj, known as Taj Ganji or Mumtazabad, was initially
constructed with caravanserais, bazaars and markets to serve the needs of visitors and
workers
Problem Associated With Taj Mahal
The Yamuna River flows around the Taj Mahal, and the river is heavily polluted.
Large numbers of insects are breeding in the polluted waterway. Officials say the insects
land on the Taj Mahal and leave poop behind on its white stone walls.
The insects’ droppings are beginning to turn the walls green. Workers try to remove the
insects’ waste. But experts fear heavy cleaning could damage the artwork in the Taj Mahal.
The city of Agra is home to many people and lots of industry. Environmentalists have
struggled for years to protect the Taj Mahal’s white stone from turning yellow because of air
pollution.
Industrial waste, solid waste, all this empties into the river. Millions of dollars have been
spent to clean the river, but nothing has happened.
MOUNT EVEREST
An Introduction To Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth. Mount Everest is in the Himalayas, the
highest mountain range in the world. It is about 8,848.00 metres (29,028.87 ft) high. Its peak
is on the border of Nepal and China. It is above the Death Zone where the air is too thin for a
human being to live, so usually compressed gas tanks with different gas mixes for different
altitudes are used when climbing. The Death Zone refers to the parts of Mount Everest that
are above 7,600 metres (24,900 ft) above sea level.
History
It was 1841 when an obscure peak in the Himalayas was recognized as the tallest mountain
in the world by a British survey team led by Sir George Everest, and whom Mount Everest
was named after in 1865. Today, climbers from across the world attempt to scale it’s mighty
face. For those who reach the summit of Mount Everest, they have climbed to the top of the
world. For many who fall short, injury and death is their fate. The allure of climbing to the
peak of Mount Everest has drawn climbers for over a century and no matter the risks it will
continue to draw explorers for years to come.
Location
Mountain Everest is located in the Mahalungur mountain ranges(Part of Himalayas ranges)
situated on the boundaries of both Nepal and Tibet. In Nepal mt. Everst is better known as
Sagarmatha and in Tibet it is called as chomulungam. And for rest of the world it is widely
known as THE MT. EVEREST.
In India Himalayan ranges are situated across himachal,uttarakhand,sikkim etc, but Mt.
Everest is located at the himalyan ranges(sub ranges-mahalangur) situated across nepal and
tibet.
How to reach
Most climb Everest from the Nepal side. From Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling capital,
mountaineers take a short flight to Lukla, then trek about 10 days to Everest Base Camp
(17,500 feet). Most will spend weeks there in the spring, acclimating to the altitude with rest
and day hikes, waiting for the route to Everest’s summit to open in May.
Airport
Tenzing Hillary Airport
Tenzing–Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, is a small airport in the town of Lukla
is the closest airport to Everest and Everest base camp.
GOA
An Introduction To Goa
Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and
The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples. It is India's
smallest state by area and the fourth-smallest by population. Goa has the highest GDP per
capita among all Indian states,[6] two and a half times that of the country.
Location
Goa is located on the Western coast of the Indian peninsula. The location of Goa is such that
it shares its borders with Maharashtra towards the north and Karnataka in the south. The
mighty Arabian Sea lies to its west. The total straight line distance between Goa and New
Delhi is 1514 KM (kilometers)
Population And Religion
Goa has a population of approximately 1.5 million. In Goa 45% of the population
are Christian, while 56% are Hindu. The Christian population is almost entirely Roman
Catholic
Visitor And Tourism
The state of Goa, in India, is famous for its beaches and places of worship. And tourism is its
primary industry. Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased
tourist activity inland. Foreign tourists, mostly from Europe, arrive in Goa in winter, whilst
the summer and monsoon seasons see many Indian tourists. Goa handled 2.29% of all
foreign tourist arrivals in the country. In 2019 54.8 lakh tourists had visited Goa. Of the 54.8
lakh, six lakh are foreign tourists
Transportation
There are many options for you to get around in Goa. Public transport largely consists of
privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas.
Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis and, in urban areas, auto-rickshaws. A
popular mode of transportation in Goa is the motorcycle taxi, operated by drivers who are
locally called ‘pilots’. These vehicles transport a single pillion rider, at fares that are usually
negotiated. Other than buses, ‘pilots’ tend to be the cheapest mode of transport. You can also
rent out a motorcycle and explore the many contrasts that Goa has to offer around every twist
and turn.
River crossings in Goa are serviced by flat-bottomed ferry boats.
Airport
Goa International Airport
Dabolim Airport or Goa Airport is the sole International Airport in Goa. It is operated by
the Airports Authority of India as a Civil Enclave in a Military Airbase named INS Hansa.
The airport's Integrated Terminal was inaugurated in December 2013.
Problem Associated With Bali Goa
Haphazard and unintended development of buildings along the roads, rivers’ fronts and
beaches.
Large scale cutting of trees and hill slopes resulting in the degradation of natural
environment.
Un-desirable development around historical monuments, viz. Churches and Temples etc.
Increase in the level of coastal pollution, e.g., plastic bottles and discharge of hotel sewage
directly into the sea.
Villagers also face the problem of short supply of water and electricity as these are diverted
to meet the requirements in the hotels.
Spectacular Beaches
Goa has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world that are perfectly crescent shaped,
fringed with palm trees and are dotted with beach huts. Most of these beaches have reddish
sand, some have soft white sand, many have strange rocks formations, some have hills all
around and a few of them have lagoons too!
Goan Food
Indian food is sensational, South Indian food in particular for its light vegetarian dishes.
Goan food is unique and is super. There is plenty of fish and seafood which can be simply
prepared if you’re not a curry lover.
Best Parties
When it comes to parties, nothing can beat the old school psychedelic trance gatherings of
Goa. Back in the 1960s, many hippies visited this place and it became their permanent
residence.
Happy Locals and Beautiful People of Goa
Goans are very peaceful, easygoing and laidback. Usually smiling, they are extremely polite
and trustworthy. Apart from the local Konkani people, many other people from all over the
world call Goa their home. They have collectively formed a culture that is a blend of East
and West.
Stunning Architecture – Old Churches, Abandoned Forts and Portuguese Houses
I love admiring architectural wonders and Goa is a treat for my eyes with its many Churches,
Forts and old school Portuguese houses. Some of the most famous churches are the Basilica
of Bom Jesus (1605), Se Cathedral (1619), Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception (1541) or in fact, Old Goa is full of them where a lot of churches were built
during Portuguese rule.
Awesome For Shopping
It’s difficult to resist the urge to buy colorful clothes, lamps, tribal jewelry, UV bedsheets, elf
dresses from Goa’s street shops.
PATTAYA
An Introduction To Pattaya
Pattaya is a city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast known for its beaches. Now its population
roughly 320,262. A quiet fishing village as recently as the 1960s, it’s now lined with resort
hotels, high-rise condos, shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Nearby, hillside
Wat Phra Yai Temple features an 18m-tall golden Buddha. The area also features several
designer golf courses, some with views of Pattaya Bay.
Location
District: mueang pattaya
Province: chonburi
Country: thailand
Pattaya is approximately 160 kilometres (99 mi) south of the city of bangkok. The city of
pattaya is a special municipal area.
Land Area
53.4 Square kilometre
Pattaya Tourism
Pattaya’s pulsating nightlife is well known, but local authorities have, in recent years,
improved the quality of the beaches and reinvented the resort as a more family-friendly
destination. Today, hundreds of thousands of visitors are drawn each year to Pattaya to
windsurf, water ski, swim, sunbathe, snorkel, sail, or take trips to nearby islands. Other
activities include Bungee jumping, Cycling, skydiving, go-Karting, Muay Thai (Thai
boxing), and Paintball. Golfers, both novice and expert, are well catered to as well, with a
wide selection of golf courses around Pattaya. Another major draw for visitors to Pattaya is
the wide selection of restaurants serving some of Thailand's freshest Seafood. Due to the
high number of expatriate foreigners in Pattaya there is also an excellent selection of
authentic foreign eateries serving French, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungarian, Scandinavian,
English, Indian, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine. Drawing such a large number of
diverse visitors from across the world, it’s no surprise that Pattaya also boasts an incredible
choice of accommodation. Those on a tight budget and those with money to spend are
equally able to find rooms to suit their needs. Visitors can always find some peaceful beach
time at nearby Jomtien Beach, just 3 kilometers south.
Pattaya Transportation
Songthaew: Also known locally as Baht Buses, songthaews are the main form of
transportation in Pattaya. They are pickup trucks that have been re-purposed for transporting
people, with two benches in the back and space for standing (if you’re brave!) At the end.
Cheap and efficient, even if sometimes crowded, songthaews operate on fixed routes around
the city.
Local buses: Pattaya has few local buses and routes change and are cancelled fairly
frequently. You should check locally during your stay as to local services and times.
Generally, buses serve the main roads through Pattaya, Jomtien, and Naklua, with stops at
Big C supermarket. Buses are usually colour coded for ease.
Taxis: Although Pattaya doesn’t have many local metered taxis you’ll still spot a fair
number of private-hire vehicles around the city. These are mainly taxis that have brought
passengers from Bangkok and are seeking a return fare.
Motorbike taxis: Motorbike taxis seem to be everywhere in Pattaya. They are quick and
convenient, and they can be especially cost-effective for solo travellers.
Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Also Known Unofficially As Bangkok Airport, Is One Of Two
International Airports Serving Bangkok, Thailand. There Is No Direct Connection
From Bangladesh To Pattaya. Fly To Suvarnabhumi, Then Take The Bus To Pattaya.
Problem Associated With pattaya
Tourism can cause the same forms of pollution as any other industry: air emissions, noise,
solid waste and littering, releases of sewage, oil and chemicals, even architectural/visual
pollution
Motorbike thieves: The victims of such theft are tourists who walk along the road. Thieves
on motorbikes can drive up very close, pull off a bag from a shoulder or tear a chain from a
neck and quickly rush off
Selling drugs: Remember that the distribution and use of drugs is punishable by death in
Thailand. Local scammers can offer foreigners to buy some illegal drug and, if someone
agrees, they immediately hand them over to the police for a fee. It is better to avoid contact
with suspicious individuals.
Some Attractions That’s Make Pattaya So Famous And A Brand Destination
Pattaya Floating Market
Floating market in Pattaya offers one of the most unique experiences in Thailand. The
market is spread over 100,000 square metres and is divided into four different sections that
represent each all four parts of Thailand.
Visit Sanctuary of Truth
Entirely made out of teak wood without a single metal nail, Sanctuary of Truth is the most
phenomenal architectural wonder Pattaya houses.
Jomtien Beach
A 6 km long sandy shoreline promising a refreshing leisurely day, Jomtien Beach is loved by
each vacationer coming to Pattaya. The splendid scenery and refreshing ambience of this
beach make it one of the most rewarding places to visit in Pattaya.
Alcazar Cabaret
Alcazar Pattaya Show is counted among the leading ladyboy cabaret shows popular across
Pattaya, and should not be skipped if you are craving some satisfying entertainment on your
vacation.
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is a lively beach that stretches for four kilometres and is one of the most
frequented tourist places in Pattaya. You can spend a lazy day on the beach and just stretch
into your deckchair as you stare into the deep blue ocean and then go for a massage.
Walking Street
One of the famous hotspots among the tourist places in Pattaya that you cannot miss is the
Walking Street. It is the biggest and the busiest party hub in the whole of Thailand. This
place definitely needs a good amount of time to explore its vibrant vibe. This entire 1 Km
long street is lined with neon-drenched nightclubs, gogo bars, massage parlors, and
restaurants that remain open all through the night.
Mini Siam
Mini Siam is a miniature city which offers you the opportunity to discover the whole country
in a single day. This attraction in Pattaya holds small-scale replicas of all major monuments
in Thailand including Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Phra Ram 9 Bridge and Prasat Hin
Phimine along with many others.
Coral Island
Pattaya is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in Asia, and the beauty of Coral
Island is living proof. Koh Larn is the real name of the island, which has become more
popular as Coral Island owing to the wide range of coral reefs that dot its geography.
Underwater World
A rewarding opportunity to encounter the underwater world of Thailand without having to
dive into the sea, Underwater World is an indoor aquarium featuring an impressive range of
marine life.
Ramayana Water Park
Ramayana Water Park is the biggest water park in Thailand, covering almost 40 acres of
land. You can spend your day riding on some thrilling water slides and taking your turn at
more than 50 attractions.
MOUNT FUJI
The branding of Indonesia which is represented through the slogan and logo of
wonderful Indonesia is comprised of three main core values, namely:
The people: all Indonesian people are friendly and smiley.
The mega diversity wonders: species of plants and animals are abundant in Indonesia
The color full arts and cultural wonders
After the campaign was launched, it is reported that the number of foreign visitors to
Indonesia increase from 7,002,944 to 8,044,462.
Wonderful Indonesia In Different Parts Of The World
The country has been aggressively promoting its tourism brand of "wonderful
Indonesia" in different parts of the world, such as in Asia, Australia, and Europe.
Wonderful Indonesia was promoted in Chinas three main cities of hefei, wuxi, and
hangzhou.
Promoting Indonesian tourism, the ministry is also showcasing traditional arts, such as
the cendrawasih dance from Bali and bajidor kahot from west java, giving visitors a
chance to get a closer look at Indonesian culture.
Word Of Mouth
Indonesia takes that the easiest and the most effective way of marketing is through the
power of word of mouth. In doing the wom marketing strategy, wonderful Indonesia
campaign is carried out by inviting journalists, bloggers, internationally well-known
celebrities and prominent figures to feel first hand observation through the below the
line promotional efforts. The journalists, bloggers, celebrities and other prominent
figures are then write their stories and share pictures from the trip to the international
community.
Wellness Tourism
Promoting Indonesia as a wellness tourism destination. Wellness tourism is one of the
fastest-growing forms of international and domestic tourism. This trend is unlikely to
change in the coming 5 or 10 years. Wellness tourism is a new and developing tourism
sector in Indonesia. Indonesia is not a popular wellness tourism destination and the
government is starting to consider promoting and marketing this sector.
Advertising
Many high quality videos presenting and exciting travelers’ interests to visit several of
the most famous islands and parts of Indonesia, highlighting the specificity and
attractions of each place.
The MM2H program focusses on participants with the right economic profile, for
instance those from Japan, Britain and Korea. Most of the foreigners set up second
homes mainly in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang under the program.
v) Nature Adventure.
Consistency in pursuing and promoting its destination brand has positioned Malaysia
strongly in the market place. It strongly believed in its world renowned brand of
Malaysia Truly Asia since was launched in 1999. This has contributed significantly in
tourists’ perception both foreign and local towards Malaysia.
Malaysia continues participating in major international and regional travel fairs like
ITB, ATM, WTM as well as local shows through its overseas offices. The combination of
Advertising and Publicity campaign initiated globally has also played very important
role in making Malaysia as preferred destination.
the ministry is looking at the National Ecotourism Plan 2016-2025. The roadmap was
established to maximise the potential of ecotourism and ensure sustainability.
Malaysian Tourism ministry introduced the “One Malaysia Green, One Malaysia Clean”
initiative to educate and increase tour operators’ and public awareness on the
importance of upkeeping cleanliness and pristine state of tourist spots.
The Malaysian Government Transformation Plan roadmap under the National Key
Result Area improving Urban Public Transportation (NKRA-UPT) identifies some issues
of public transportation service which contributes to the decreasing in demand for
public transportation in Malaysia.They developing of public transportation,
infrastructure and using new technologies to speed up the development of tourism.
Government develop more tourist destinations and tourism infrastructures along the
main road for domestic and foreign tourists.
Integrative Development
Culture and tourism departments at various levels actively explored the integrative
development of the tourism and culture industries through resource development,
project making, platform building and launch of activities. Progress has been made in
combining the development of tourism and culture. This year, Chinese tourists have
shown a great deal of enthusiasm for museums, cultural centers, art galleries, libraries,
book stores and theatres.
Commercial Mindset
Another appealing factor of which bought China tourism into the limelight is the
commercial mindset of its governing bodies. In the past few decades, China became a
hub of commercial and trade activities. From the production of small household items to
mega machines and robots, China produces and export everything to the rest of the
world. As the companies reach China for commercial purposes, the common people
came to know that the land of China is full of potential.
Budget
The 2018 budget allocated just Rs 2,189 crore-0.08 per cent-of the total budgetary
spend of Rs 27,84,200 crore for the development of the tourism sector. The Union
government needs to spend much more on this sector than what it is doing now. The
Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency to formulate national policies and programmes
for the development and promotion of tourism. The Ministry has allocated a budget of
INR 2189.22 crore for 2019 – 20 as a provision to meet the expenditures of the various
programs to be undertaken by the Ministry.
Incredible India 2
India launch the 'Incredible India 2.0' campaign.
Here are the six things the ministry of tourism has put in place:
1) The tourism ministry has sanctioned Rs 131 lakh for the development of four rural
tourism sites. The states in which these sites are Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and
Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Punjab and
Tripura. Apart from that, it has launched a new scheme called Swadesh Darshan for
integrated development of tourist circuits around specific themes.
2) The ministry has split the northeast region into theme-based circuits to boost
tourism in the zone under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The government will soon
launch six tourist circuits in a big way to provide a boost to the sector.
Their aim is to create better infrastructure for facilitating tourists to visit more places.
Indian government has finalized a blue print for growth of tourism and more tourist
circuits will be added soon.
They will be launching six tourist circuits soon. They are Ramayan Circuit, Desert
Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit and Rural Circuit.
3) Major cleanliness campaign under the Swachh Bharat movement for protecting and
preserving the sanctity of monuments of national heritage. The ministry has also
launched a special e-poster with Prime Minister’s message requesting the tourists and
the people of the nation to wholeheartedly engage themselves in the cleanliness of their
surroundings and help create a Swachh Bharat, Swachh Smarak.
For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the ministry has introduced
two new schemes:
Prasad: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.
Swadesh Darshan: Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits.
Rs 100 crore and Rs 600 crore have been allocated for Prasad and Swadesh Darshan
schemes, respectively, to develop tourist destinations of global standards.
5) On a pilot basis, A ‘Incredible India Helpline’ has been set up to guide the tourists.
6) A code of conduct for safe tourism, which contains a set of guidelines to encourage
tourism activities to be undertaken with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and
freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and
children.
a) Guidelines on safety for states for traveller have been formulated. These include:
Wallet-friendly travel across all Japan with discounted fares on international and
domestic flights.
Enhanced shopping experiences through cash-back services and gift campaigns.
The freedom and luxury of “hands-free” travel with half-price luggage storage
services.
Opportunities to get hands-on including brand new cooking classes for foodies and
washoku-lovers.
History at half the price with discounted trips to samurai and ninja hotspots.
Pokémon and other popular characters redesigned and reenergized for 2020.
Digital Infrastructure
They are currently enhancing their digital infrastructure in order to make their country
more visitor-friendly. They are currently working on three pillars, They want to make
travelling a stress-free activity. To do so, they will facilitate free WiFi connection
nationwide while enhancing multi-lingual installments. In collaboration with the
Internal Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, They are
also currently subsidizing private and public organizations to provide free WiFi.
Promoting International Conferences
The JTA has been promoting the holding and attracting of international conferences on
a national level, intensively leveraging resources held by the national and local
governments, and the economic and academic spheres, towards the goal of increasing
the number of international conferences held in Japan by more than 50% by the year
2011.
Short-Term Goals
Japan have set four short-term goals. Firstly, They want to increase the infrastructural
capacity of the country, creating larger and better airports and marine ports. Secondly,
They want to construct more hotels. They are currently trying to attract foreign investors
to build more tourist-friendly hotels. Thirdly, They want to host successful world events,
starting with the Rugby World Cup in 2019, the Olympic Games in 2020 and the World
Masters Games in 2021. They want to effectively utilize the attention received from
these mega-events to promote and brand our country. Lastly, They want to create a
foreigner-friendly environment.
Present Circumstances
Branding And Promotion Tourim Of Bangladesh
The slogan for promotion of tourism was 'visit bangladesh before others come', when
the country hardly had the footprint of global tourists. Then, blame was put on
infrastructure deficiency for lacklustre tourism industry, which today contributes 2.2
per cent of the gross domestic product.
A lack of travelling habit among local people could not help attain expected tourism
growth to be accelerated by arrival of streams of foreigners was the argument made in
late 1990s and 2000s. Some started saying facilities for foreign tourists were lacking.
Some others find not enough tourist spots, as if there is no sundarbans, no kuakata sea
beach, no banberban hilly spots, nor rivers or no landscape.
Bangladesh is yet to tap its true potential of tourism in economic terms. Only the
optimists see no reason why tourism will not flourish, as they insist on taking measures
to create a right atmosphere for tourism to take off.
Bangladesh is the 120th ranked country among 140 in terms of availability of tourist-
friendly facilities such as air transport, accommodation, security, culture and stable
travel opportunities for tourists. Published in the world economic forum's "travel and
tourism competitive report-2019", the ranking was still bangladesh's elevation by five
spots from the previous year's 125th position.
Up to 1.5 million bangladeshis also go abroad every year for tourism purposes, including
medical tourism and business trips, whereas the number of foreigners who visit
bangladesh a year would barely touch 100,000 mark. Domestic travellers often make
complaints that turn into 'word-of-mouth', about problems with attitude and culture of
facilitators at some tourist spots. Otherwise, the tourism industry could have been more
vibrant, especially when people want to enjoy their country's charms.
The national tourist promotion agency, parjatan (tourism) corporation has failed to
promote bangladesh what is called branding of the country - as a tourist destination,
based on whatever resources and attractions it has. The authorities could not yet make
proper documentation or develop quality literature on the country's tourist attractions
and accordingly carry out campaigns to create interest among global travellers in
coming to bangladesh, blessed with unique gifts of nature.
"despite increasing global interest in the country, bangladesh could not come up with a
well-coordinated plan to strengthen the tourism sector yet," says a recent usaid report.
While any negative reports in the international media are generally rejected outright,
the authorities cannot either utilise positive views expressed by foreigners about
bangladesh.
Lonely planet, a global travel guidebook, has placed lalbagh fort at the 7th position
among 'top ten best value' travel destinations for 2019, with a headline 'immerse
yourself in bangladesh's numerous geographic wonders and rich cultural heritage'. This
report reads that bangladesh is not only home to the world's longest natural sea beach,
but it also boasts historic attractions such as the mughal-era lalbagh fort and three
different unesco world heritage sites.
A gentleman named tim steel called bangladesh 'the epitome of india', which has
'mountains, beaches, forests, deserts; wildlife, heritage, cuisine, cultural diversity;
palaces, temples' to offer for travellers. But at 1.2 million square miles, it is a puzzle to
know where to begin, he wrote in an article, adding, 'where all such attractions, but the
deserts, can be readily explored' is bangladesh.
Cox’s Bazar
Tourism
The beach is the main attraction of the town. There are several 3 stars and 5 star hotels
provide the exclusive beachside area with accessories for the tourist. Visitors in other
hotels visit Laboni beach which is the area of the beach closest to the town. Other than
the beach there are several places of interest near the town which can easily be visited
from the town center.
Economy and development
The major economic activity in Cox's Bazar is tourism. A number of hotels, guest houses,
and motels have been built in the city and coastal region, and many people are involved
in the service industry.
People are also involved in fishing and collecting seafood and sea products for their
livelihood. Oysters, snails, pearls and their ornaments are very popular with tourists.
Some people are involved in the transportation business for tourists. Cox's Bazar is one
of the few major spots for aquaculture in Bangladesh. Along with Khulna, it is
considered a major source of revenue from foreign exchanges. Besides a mix of small-
scale agriculture, marine and inland fishing and salt production are other industrial
sources that play important roles in the national economy.
An Introduction To Sundarbans
The sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of
the ganges, brahmaputra and meghna rivers in the bay of bengal. It spans from
the hooghly river in india's state of west bengal to the baleswar river in bangladesh. It
comprises closed and open mangrove forests, agriculturally used land, mudflats and
barren land, and is intersected by multiple tidal streams and channels. Four protected
areas in the sundarbans are enlisted as unesco world heritage sites, viz sundarbans
national park, sundarbans west, sundarbans south and sundarbans east wildlife
sanctuaries.
History
The history of the area can be traced back to 200–300 ad. A ruin of a city built by chand
sadagar has been found in the baghmara forest block. During the mughal period, the
mughal kings leased the forests of the sundarbans to nearby residents.
Location
Located in the delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins, this
unique forest area extends across Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat,
Patuakhali and Barguna districts. 242 km Distance from Dhaka to Sundarbans.
Land Area
The total area of the Sundarbans, including both land and water, is roughly 3,860
square miles (10,000 square km), about three-fifths of which is in
Bangladesh. Sundarbans, northeastern India and southern Bangladesh.
How To Go
It is located in Satkhira district of Khulna divison. It is 66.4km away from Satkhira. For
directions from Satkhira-Sundarban. After reaching in Satkhira, you can use local
transports or private cars to reach Sundarbans.
Life In Sundarban Forest
There is no road, no trail of a path; Boat is the only transport inside the Sundarbans.
Sometimes the woodcutters and honey hunters make temporary dwellings at the edge of
the forest at a height of 8-10 feet for fear of wild animals, others live on boats. In
Chandpai region it is fascinating to see the nomadic fishermen (living with families on
boats) catching fish with the help of trained otters. The fishermen from Chittagong
gather for four months (mid Oct. To mid Feb.) To catch and dry fish at Dublar Char
inside the Sundarbans. The most daring and exciting of all activities is presented by the
honey-collectors who work in groups for just two months (April-May) and it is really
very interesting to see how they locate a hive and then collect honey. Few local &
international famous documentary films was made on their activities.
Eco-tourism
Eco-tourism is defined as `Environmentally responsible travel to undisturbed natural
areas to enjoy and appreciate nature that promotes conservation and provides benefit to
the local community through active socio economic involvement'.
The development of eco-tourism in the Sundarban is one of the top priorities of the
Forest Department It forms part of the existing Government national objectives
concerning existing and proposed tourism policies in Bangladesh. The Eco-Tourism
Development and Management Plan advises on legislation, tourism practices, structural
changes, training and facilities requirements, environmental impact, and marketing and
promotion strategies. It will contribute to the development of a healthy, responsible and
sustainable type of eco-tourism for the benefit of all.
Ecological value of the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the
world. It is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small
islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests. A variety of habitats have developed to
accommodate the wildlife, including beaches, estuaries, permanent and semi-
permanent swamps, tidal flats, tidal creeks, coastal dunes, back dunes and levees.
Besides a high number of mangrove tree species, 200 additional plant species, more
than 400 species of fish, over 300 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles, 42 species of
mammals and countless benthic invertebrates, bacteria, fungi, etc., can be found there.
Some of the notable wildlife species residing in the forest include water fowl, heron,
pelican, spotted deer, rhesus macaques, wild boar, tigers, water monitor lizards, fishing
cats, otters, olive ridley turtles, crocodiles, batagur terrapins, and migratory birds.
Flora
Sundarbans derives its name from the mangrove or the “Sundari” trees which display
around some sixty-four varieties. The mangrove vegetation can bear the estuarine
conditions as well as saline inundations brought in by tides. During the period of April-
May, the park goes into a riot of colors. The red blooms of Genwa find its match in the
yellow blooms of Khalsimaking it one spectacular watch for the tourists. The red flowers
with the crab-like shape called Kankra can also be seen during this time of the year.
Other plants and trees that are found here are Dhundal or cannonball mangrove,
Passur, Garjan, and Goran.
In general, the northern boundary of Sundarbans and the new depositions are occupied
by Baen and covered by foreshore Dhani grass.
The southern and eastern parts include Kankra, Garjan and thick patches of Sundari
trees. Hental forest can be found in higher land with more compact soil.
The Fauna
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve hosts more than 400 tigers, one of the largest tiger
populations anywhere in the world. The Royal Bengal tigers can swim across the saline
waters, which sharpens their skill of hunting. Known for their man-eating tendencies
these ferocious carnivores can be seen sunbathing during the month of November,
December and January. Other wild animals found here are Chital Deer, Rhesus
Macaque, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar, Common Grey Mongoose, Fox, Flying
Fox, Pangolin, etc. It also has a wide variety of reptiles like the Oliver Ridley Sea Turtle,
King Cobras, Rock Pythons, Water Monitors, River Terrapins, Sea Snakes, Dog Faced
Water Snakes, Green Turtles, Estuarine Crocodiles, Chameleons, Salvator Lizards, Hard
Shelled Batgun Terrapins, Russell’s Vipers, Mouse Ghekos, Curviers, Hawks Bill Turtles,
Common Kraits, Chequered Killbacks, Rat Snakes, etc.
Avifauna
There are 248 species of birds that are found in Sundarbans and hence it is considered
as a heaven for ornithologists having a barrage of birds like Pheasant Tailed Jacanas,
Red Jungle Fowls, Open Billed Storks, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Spotted Billed
Pelicans, Swamp Partridges, Marsh Harriers, White Ibis, White Eyed Pochards, Black-
Tailed Godwits, Peregrine Falcons, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Paradise Flycatchers,
Night Herons, Gray Herons, Caspian Terns, Golden Plovers, Pintails, Common Snipes,
etc. In the estuarine waters thrive Star Fish, Saw Fish, Butter Fish, Silver Carp, Common
Carp, Electric Rays, King Crabs, Red Fiddler Crabs, Hermit Crabs, Prawn, Gangetic
Dolphins, Shrimp, Skipping Frog, Common Toad, Tree Frog, etc.
Why Sundarbam is potential
1. The wilderness and condition of one of the largest mangrove forest on the world.
2. The forest and UNESCO sites are protected from encroachment and for conservation
purposes.
3. The variety of wildlife (specially birds).
4. The importance of one of the remaining natural habitats of the Royal Bengal Tiger,
education and conservation awareness initiatives and studies.
5. Life in the river. The Riverine experience and low impact on the natural and physical
environment.
6. Understanding of the conservation dilemmas and problematic in the highly populated
country as Bangladesh. The human context of individuals living in the impact zone and
the exposure of conservation and biodiversity initiatives.
Kotka beach: among the most beautiful places in sundarbans, kotka beach is one of
them. This is a fantastic place for tourists. It is located on the southeast corner of the
sundarbans. This place is famous for many uncommon wild animals. Especially, you can
watch here spotted deer and royal bengal tiger. Anyone can easily hear nature’s music
mixed with the wild fowls in the morning and evenings.
Jamtola Beach: Jamtola Sea Beach is a really beautiful place in Sundarbans. It is an
amazing place to pass your lazy time, where one can see the sunrise and sunset, clouds,
fogs, and the blue sky at the same time. It takes half an hour of walking distance to reach
Jamtola Sea Beach.
Hiron Point: According to the visitors, Hiron Point is an attractive place in
Sundarbans. Local people also call it “Nilkomol” – another name of Hiron Point. The
place is especially attractive for Monkeys, Birds, Crocodiles, Snakes and Other Wildlife.
You can also find Royal Bengal Tigers here. There is a rest house near the Hiron Point
named Neelkomol.
Dublar Char: Dublar Char is a famous island in Sundarbans. It is very much popular
place for various types of fish, And some of the fish are very rare. The Hindu
communities observe the famous three days long “Rash Mela” in every year. Thousands
of people come here to join the event from all over the country. Dublar Char Island is
also famous for processing Dry Fish. From the Dublar Char, the western side of this
island, River Shibsha, while on the eastern side of this island River Passur flows. There
is a lot of deer, you may watch.
Karamjol: Koromjol is known as a forest station in Sundarbans. Thousands of visitors
come here for watching different types of wildlife here. The place is also used as Deer
Breeding Center and Wildlife Reserving Center. For this reason, hunting in this area is
strictly prohibited. Any newcomers in Sundarbans will be able to watch various kinds of
bird species (Nearly 260+ species), fish (120+ Species). One can also seat to watch the
River Dolphins from here. There are also some other rare species of Sall Water
crocodiles, deer, wild boar, ducks, sound pipers, moths, monkeys, snakes, foxes and the
ever exclusive and graceful Royal Bengal Tigers.
Mandarbaria: Mandarbaria is also an attractive visiting place in Sundarbans. It is a
perfect place where one can easily watch Tigers as well as other deep forest
animals. Mandarbaria Sea Beach is located in the Satkhira District as part of
Sundarbans.
The concept of branding has been applied extensively to products and services;
tourism destination branding is a relatively recent phenomenon (Blain et al.,
2005). In the case of destination branding, the brand name is relatively fixed by
the actual name of the location (Keller, 2001). Branding has a role to play in
integrating efforts to promote tourism (Foley, and Fahy, 2004). Positive image-
building and image-reconstruction
(repositioning) are efforts of branding that can create a distinctive advantage of a
country for not only travel & tourism industry but also for trade and commerce,
foreign direct investment (FDI), and even relations with other countries. In a
competitive tourism marketplace, destinations - from resorts to countries - are
increasingly adopting branding techniques to craft and differentiate an identity
emphasizing the uniqueness of their product (Pritchard, & Morgan, 1998).
Different types of strategies are needed to create favorable images as well as take
apart the unfavorable depictions from the country image. Bangladesh can reap
the benefits for its tourism industry through appropriate country branding. The
branding exertion has to identify where our country image is presently in, where
we want to go, and how we can obtain our target image. Country branding is
synonym with nation branding. Nation branding is a better term because it gives
a clear understanding that it's the people who brand their country, who benefit
from an improved national reputation, and who truly 'own' that national brand.
Place branding is simply a broader term which covers nations, regions, cities -
and even towns and villages (Anholt, 1998). Destination branding is about
combining those things associated with a 'place', a destination. This includes all
of its products and services like agriculture, tourism, sports, arts, investment,
technology, education, etc. (Tourism Western Australia, 2007). In this paper the
terms, country branding, nation branding, place branding, or even destination
branding, are used as related words. Both country branding and tourism have
causal relationship. Country branding can benefit tourism sector and at the same
way an eminent tourism sector of a country can help become a successful country
brand. Here, this paper will try to check up how branding effort can boost up the
tourism sector in Bangladesh. As tourism is recognized as the single largest
industry in the world and as its growth rate, employment generation and
contribution to GDP is increasing every year significantly around the world, every
destination country should adopt effective strategies to establish a strong brand
image to leverage its tourism sector. As Bangladesh has lot of tourism resources,
the country should go for country branding aptly. But it is not easy task to make a
successful country brand. Possible weakness and threats have to be identified
before going to develop an extensive branding program.
The main objective of this study is to find out how Bangladesh can introduce,
grow and sustain as a country brand to obtain distinctive advantage in tourism
industry. Specific objectives of this study are:
To provide an overview of country branding and development of tourism
industry as well as relationship between them;
To realize the rationale for developing country branding or find out benefits
out of country branding;
To identify the country branding strategies for Bangladesh; and
To recommend what should we do to build up Bangladesh as a world class
tourist’s destination.
Methodology
This paper is of a qualitative design and based on both secondary and primary
data. For gathering information from secondary sources about the country
branding and its strategies different home and foreign published literatures,
journals, brochures, articles, researches, case studies etc are studied. Relevant
facts are collected from various texts on country branding, books and papers
regarding the same. For formulating country branding strategies of Bangladesh
we could have ideas through different studies of foreign and domestic articles and
research papers. And some open ended questions are used for conducting an in-
depth interviews on four industry experts and observations of different facts for
having ideas what Bangladesh should do to create a successful country branding.
Brands are more than trademarks; they are 'trust marks' (Tourism Western
Australia, 2007). The leading tourism destinations like Thailand, Australia, USA,
UK, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Egypt, and some Western European
countries understood the value of branding much earlier. They made huge efforts
to highlight their uniqueness to the world and captured their target markets. In
today’s globalize markets a favorable country image has a considerable impact on
consumers' evaluation of products originating from other countries and therefore
influences their subsequent buying decisions (Roth, & Diamantopoulos, 2009).”
As such, different items of Bangladesh can get the international markets, if it can
develop its image. But the most positive benefits are gained by the tourism sector
through country branding. Clarke (2000) has identified six benefits of tourism
branding. Those are the choice of tourists, impact of intangibility, consistency
across multiple outlets and through time, minimized risk factor attached to
decision making about holidays, facilitated segmentation, and an integration of
producer efforts helping people to work towards the same outcome. To build a
favorable image through country branding is very essential to promote the
tourism directly.
Country branding is not different from ‘product’ or ‘corporate’ branding. But the
extent of country branding activities is huge. For market oriented country
branding, appropriate strategies have to be developed. This paper it has provided
some strategic guidelines for branding Bangladesh.
Approaches to Creating Country Brand: Segmenting, targeting, and
positioning strategies have to be determined Firstly, For branding this country, it
is necessary to segment all the leisure and business travelers. Then the feasible
segments have to be targeted to reach with tourist’s products and services.
Appropriate positioning strategy is necessary to attract tourists through right
communication mix. Identifying the value of this destination’s personality assist
what would be the positioning strategies for Bangladesh.
Secondly, developing a competitive marketing mix for meeting the needs and
wants of target tourists is essential. The tourist’s products and services in
Bangladesh will be of international standard. The pricing will be competitive in
comparison to other destinations.
Thirdly, deciding the suitable shape of tourism in consistent with the nature of
the country is essential. It is not possible for Bangladesh to go for mass tourism
because of land limitation. Mass tourism generally produces less income from
individual tourists and is harmful to fragile environment and sustainable
development. So the target tourists of this country should be small-scale quality
tourists.
Fourthly, there is a necessity of matching between tourists and local people
characteristics. The community participation in tourism planning and operation
should be ensured if the tourism activities are operated in locality. Local people
should not be avoided. Community people know the nature of the environment
very well. They can help in the development decision that will not destroy the
aesthetic beauty.
Fifthly, creating a desirable image is essential to delineate the country as tourist
destination. If a destination has no significant favorable image the tourists keep
out that name from their consideration. Altering all unfavorable images is not
always possible. But conveying more positive things as well as correcting wrong
images which may not be true can provide perfect image for Bangladesh.
Sixthly, comprehensive branding plan should be taken for saving time and
money. The single branding effort will cover tourism, trade & business, culture
and all the related aspects of country branding.
Finally, to set the name of Bangladesh in target tourists’ heart, extensive
integrated marketing communication endeavor should be undertaken. A target
audiences’ reachable communication mix has to be designed to promote
Bangladesh. Bangladesh can highlight different events like Pahela Baishakh,
Durga Puza, Eid-ul-fitr, Ekushey February, etc to international community.
Participation in international tourism fairs and contacting with foreign mass
media can promote distinctiveness of the country and achieve competitive
advantages. Continuous marketing research should be conducted to know the
changing needs and wants of target tourists’ segments. Designing, developing,
and marketing the tourists’ products and services are not sufficient to create a
long term sustainable country brand. Proper management is essential to enjoy
benefits for longer period of time.
Building Bangladesh as a Strong Country Brand: Proper brand
management is certainly a powerful tool for tourist boards and is long overdue
for adoption in many countries (Anholt, 1998). Many negative associations like
the poverty, disaster, crime, political unrest, etc of the country, and very few
positive associations like freedom movement of 1971, language movement of
1952, achievement of Nobel Prize, a country of green etc. are deeming by
international people about Bangladesh. Adding new associations with the country
name would leverage to build a strong country brand. For the purpose enriching
the country brand, negative associations have to be eliminated and some more
positive associations have to attach in the mind of target people.
It is possible to brand the country from different angles. We can use CBBE
(Customer Based Brand Equity) model of Keller (2003) to create Bangladesh as a
powerful tourist brand. This model will help to create high level of awareness and
familiarity with the country brand and holds some strong, favorable, and unique
brand associations in memory.
Challenges of Country Branding for Bangladesh: Destinations seeking to
brand themselves face three unique constraints - a lack of control over the total
marketing mix, their relatively limited budgets, and often, over-arching political
considerations (Pritchard, & Morgan, 1998). These three constraints are also true
for branding Bangladesh. Country branding is an expensive effort. Still
Bangladesh has no significant budget of the government for this purpose.
Political unrest, frequent changes of government decisions, lack of resources and
instability in tourism policies might affect the branding decision and activities in
Bangladesh. It is also a big challenge to make the tourism opportunities into
business. Another thing is negative image of Bangladesh throughout the world.
Bangladesh is enjoying a glorious history and geographical position. So it is
possible to repair the unfavorable images of Bangladesh.
Policy Implementation
Bangladesh could not exploit the potentials of its tourism. The country needs
experience of Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai which lack natural resources but
have been successful in tourism. The geographical location of Bangladesh is most
suitable for tourism. The neighboring Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand,
India, the Maldives and China have vibrant tourism. Outgoing tourists from
China are expected to exceed 100 million in the next three years. Indians will also
be moving around the globe as tourists. Bangladesh needs to attract them. The
visa process for the tourists must be easier. Immigration officials need to be
friendly. The tour operators need to be professional in providing their services.
Good law and order, uninterrupted power supply and infrastructural supports are
also essential. Trained manpower can do miracles. Universities and professional
human resource development institutes have to pay attention to create the
professionals for the tourism and hospitality industry for domestic and foreign
employment. The institutions are yet to recognize the large demand of tourism
professionals.
Creating and Correcting the Image of Bangladesh: Creating and
correcting the image crisis can help in the process of successful branding of
Bangladesh. It will be really possible to heighten the image through collective
contributions from citizens’ national duties and responsibilities. Otherwise, the
country will have difficulty in competing with images created by competing
countries. Advertising, PR and other promotional activities must complement
informal information obtained through word of mouth (WOM) and personal
recommendations, by either building upon the latter or correcting negative
perceptions of the tourists.
Haring Country Branding Experts: Bangladesh can hire country-branding
experts who will show how to attract initial investment, maintain the
development through targeted policies, and establish a high–profile investment
environment for long–term growth. Outsourcing of country branding experts is
wise decision. Though it may be expensive but will ensure the success in the
branding process.
Ensuring Public & Private Sector Partnership: Coordination between the
public and private sectors can make sense to both partners. Private sectors are
often knowledgeable to work in the challenging environment. Government
should work with the private sectors to ensure maximum benefits of country
branding. Working with destination marketing organizations (DMO), convention
and visitor bureaus (CVB), chambers of commerce, economic development
agencies, and national tourism organizations, and other non-government
agencies is essential for gaining perfect and prompt actions in country branding.
Continuous Monitoring and Corrective Action: Destination branding process is a
continuous work. It should go on until the country image takes a lasting shape in
the industry. Otherwise there is a great chance of another country taking over the
market share.
Conclusion
In spite of country branding incurring costs and taking time, this is essential for
receiving a great deal of favor for a country’s tourism industry. The present study
is based on secondary data analysis, which had a purpose to provide with an in-
depth discussion of the role of the destination’s image building in country-
branding of Bangladesh. If the government and the tourism industry in
Bangladesh follow the above mentioned guidelines and adopt the strategies
highlighted earlier, it can be expected that Bangladesh will be able to position a
relatively better country-brand in the minds of the potential tourists worldwide.
The discussions of this paper clarify how these can be used for Bangladesh. By
considering the challenges and limitations for image building (Limited budgets,
poor politics, difficult to control external environment, accumulating and
managing destination product properly, creating differentiation is not an easy
task etc.) and by following the policies, Bangladesh will be able to create
favorable image of the country as a tourist destination in the near future. It is
urgently needed to prepare plans for national, regional, district, and destination-
level in Bangladesh. Finally, monitoring, evaluation, and review are equally
essential to uphold and create a better image of destination-Bangladesh. As such,
tourism sector will reach to the desired level of development very soon.
Therefore, the country has to work consciously and continuously to create,
maintain, and uphold the image for a suitable branding of Bangladesh.