Project Paper On

Tourism Policies and Performance of Bangladesh: A Conceptual

Study on the Present Status and Future Prospects

Supervised By

Uchinlayen
Assistant Professor
Department of Tourism and
Hospitality Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka

Prepared By
Khairul Islam
ID No: 221
Batch: THM 10th (BBA 23rd)
Department of Tourism and
Hospitality Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka

Date of Submission: 20th February, 2022

Tourism Policies and Performance
of Bangladesh: A Conceptual Study
on the Present Status and Future
Prospects

i
 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

20 February, 2022
Uchinlayen
Assistant Professor
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
University of Dhaka

Subject: Submission of the Internship Report.

Dear Sir,

Please find attached my internship report, titled "Tourism Policies and Performance of
Bangladesh: A Conceptual Study on the Present Status and Future Prospects." This report
was completed as part of my internship program. I have made every effort to adhere to the
report's requirements. This internship assignment has allowed me to investigate one of the most
critical parts of the tourism business, specifically Bangladesh's Tourism Policies and
Performance, and therefore broaden my understanding.
This study is valuable to me since it educated me about the policies and current state of the
tourism business in Bangladesh. I am indebted to you for your invaluable counsel, tremendous
labor, and consistent attention during the report's completion.
I apologize in advance if this report has any unintended errors. I would gladly respond to any
questions you may have as they arise.

With kind regards,

Khariul Islam
ID: 221
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To begin, I would want to express my profound appreciation to Allah for requiring me to complete this
project paper within the specified time frame. This paper fulfills a portion of the requirement for the
Bachelor of Business Administration degree (BBA). Additionally, I would want to convey my heartfelt
thanks and gratitude to my supervisor, Uchinlayen, for always leading me with maximum tenacity
during the duration of the project. I was able to complete this creative project paper with his continual
cooperation, encouragement, and assistance.

iii
 DECLARATION

I declare that the project paper is all my own work, with the exception of properly recognized
quotations and sources. Additionally, I certify that it has not been submitted for any other
degree at Dhaka University or any other institution earlier or concurrently.

Signature: ………………………………………..

Khairul Islam
Id No: 37
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka

iv
 CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

This is to certify that the internship report on "Tourism Policies and Performance of
Bangladesh: A Conceptual Study on the Present Status and Future Prospects" submitted in
support of the award of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Department of
Tourism and Hospitality Management, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka is a
record of research conducted by me under your supervision. This internship report in its whole
has never been submitted for a degree, certificate, or other kind of recognition.

Signature:………………………………………..
Uchinlayen
Assistant Professor
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Faculty of Business Studies
University of Dhaka

v
 ABSTRACT
Bangladesh is one of the world's growing economies. It has made great gains in terms of poverty
reduction, life expectancy, literacy rates, and per capita food production, all of which have facilitated
economic growth. The tourism industry can help the economy expand further and contribute to its
transition from developing to developed nations. Because Bangladesh is endowed with an abundance of
natural and cultural treasures. It has an incredible scenery, an enriched history, and a beautiful historical
past. Thus, Bangladesh, like other developing nations, may embrace tourism as a vehicle for economic
and social development.
This report analyzed current tourist regulations and the tourism sector's recent performance in
Bangladesh. The particular aims of this article are to identify the tourist-related institutions, examine
tourism policies, assess current tourism performance, and lastly provide some suggestions for sector
reform. This research was undertaken by examining secondary data such as papers, journals, and reports
that were acquired from the various tourism stakeholder websites. The majority of the data was gathered
from the Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, and the World Tourism
Organization, among others.
This article explores the prevalent practices and policies in Bangladesh's tourist business. Additionally, it
measures performance using five important indicators: international tourist arrivals, international
inbound tourism revenues, tourism's contribution to GDP, tourism's contribution to employment, and
travel and tourism investment. This study examines data from 2009 to 2019 in order to determine
international tourist arrivals and international inbound tourism revenues. Additionally, it analyzes data
from seven years, from 2012 to 2018, to determine the impact of tourism to GDP, employment, and
investment. While foreign visitor arrivals have fluctuated, other indicators such as tourism earnings,
tourism contribution to GDP, employment, and investment have increased.
Additionally, this paper outlines some critical initiatives that tourism stakeholders from both the public
and commercial sectors may take to close current gaps and to establish and execute an overarching plan
for Bangladesh's tourist industry development. Thus, tourism may significantly contribute to the
country's economic growth.
This research suggests that Bangladesh's tourism industry has enormous potential to grow and become a
critical instrument for the country's economic growth. Additionally, it may serve as the primary source
of foreign money and aid in the eradication of unemployment. Additionally, it underlines the critical
necessity for an appropriate set of tourist policies that are based on the most current market conditions.
Additionally, it implies that appropriate implementation procedures should be adopted to reap the full
advantages of the policies.

i
ii
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: International Tourist Arrival...........................................................28

Table 2: International Tourism Inbound Receipts........................................30

Table 3: Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP.........................................32

Table 4: Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment...........................34

Table 5: Travel & Tourism Investment..........................................................36

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 LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 1: International Tourist Arrival...........................................................29

Figure 2: International Tourism Inbound Receipts.......................................31

Figure 3: Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP........................................33

Figure 4: Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment...........................35

Figure 5: Travel & Tourism Investment.........................................................37

iv
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1
 1.1 Background of the Study

Tourism is a broad term that encompasses travel for pleasure, business, recreation, religious, or
familial purposes, often for a brief period of time. The motivation or enthusiasm for travel may
also differ according to one's age, gender, financial level, and degree of education. The
UNWTO defines tourism as "the activities of individuals who travel to and stay in locations
outside their customary surroundings for a period of no more than one year consecutively for
pleasure, business, or other objectives." Tourism is not synonymous with travel. Not all travel is
for tourist purposes. If tourism is to take place, there must be displacement. If a travel activity is
to be classified as tourism, the following three conditions must be met: the trip must include
displacement from one's typical surroundings; the journey must be purposeful; and the travel
must have a maximum length, not a minimum. Displacement from tourism may occur with or
without an overnight stay (Roy & Roy, 2005).
Tourism policy may be defined as a set of laws, regulations, guidelines, development/promotion
goals, and strategies that serve as a framework for collective and individual choices impacting
the long-term growth of tourism and everyday activities inside a destination (Goeldner &
Ritchie, 2009). National tourist policy objectives strive to allow tourism to contribute to the
country's social and economic development goals, including job creation, foreign currency
revenues, marginalized and disadvantaged community development, and overall economic
development and sustainability (Hassan, 2018).
Tourism has long been seen as a progressive industry in both poor and developing nations,
despite the fact that it has already played a large role in a number of established countries.
Numerous governments have prioritized this sector in their policy planning as a critical
instrument for economic and cultural growth. Travel and tourism, as one of the world's greatest
economic sectors, generates employment, stimulates exports, and contributes to global
economic growth. According to the WTTC, the industry contributes 10.4 percent to global GDP
and employs 343 million people, or about 93.9 percent of total employment (WTTC, 2018).
Numerous nations have already begun to understand and capitalize on the full potential of this
industry. For instance, the Asian subcontinent's tourism sector is growing faster than any other
in the world, owing to the rising wealth of countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, and
Malaysia, as well as the large populations of China, India, and Indonesia – the world's first,
second, and fourth largest countries (by population), respectively (Ishtiaque, 2013). Bangladesh,
with its immense potential, is following these nations' lead and placing a high premium on the
industry in its national development program.
Bangladesh is a nation blessed with breathtaking natural beauty that attracts a large number of
visitors. It is endowed with picturesque rivers, adventurous hill tracts, woods, historical and
religious places, tea gardens, and beaches, among other things. Bangladesh has an incredible
chance to use these resources to maximize revenue from the tourist industry. According to the
World Travel and Tourism Council, the travel and tourism sectors contributed 4.3 percent to
total GDP and

3.8 percent of total employment in 2017, and are predicted to increase to around 6.4 percent and
2.5 percent in 2018. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is still trying to maximize the sector's
benefits. The tourist industry has yet to make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's
2
economic and social growth.
As the tourism sector in Bangladesh is still in its infancy and has not yet developed into a fully
fledged business, the Bangladeshi government has taken a number of steps to promote the
sector's growth. Many of those projects are in their infancy and have had little influence on the
industry's growth and development. However, issues related to strategic planning, legislation,
and inefficient tourist administration have exacerbated the country's tourism sector's situation.
As a result, it is necessary to ascertain the underlying causes of the situation and identify the
bottlenecks in current policy measures in order to recommend effective courses of action for the
state and other relevant authorities to take in order to fully exploit the opportunities presented
by this industry.
Thus, the goal of this study is to examine current tourist regulations and their performance in
the context of Bangladesh and to provide recommendations to close the tourism sector's gaps.

1.2 Problem Statement

Tourism, according to Tosun and Timothy (2009), is one of the world's most potential economic
development areas. The government of these nations has implemented measures to improve
tourism performance since it is recognized as a major source of jobs and foreign cash.
Bangladesh's tourism industry has enormous potential because of the country's abundance of
natural beauty and breathtaking vistas that it can provide to tourists. There have been recent
studies that show that tourism has had a favorable influence on the economy of Bangladesh,
contributing both to employment and GDP growth. However, Bangladesh was unable to reap
the full benefits of this industry. Bangladesh's tourist industry has yet to make a significant
contribution to the country's economic and national prosperity. Bangladesh's government has
also made many initiatives to boost the country's tourist industry. That so, the country's tourist
industry has suffered from poor strategic planning, unworkable legislation, and ineffective
management (Karim, 2014). Current development demands and changes in the external and
internal settings often serve as triggers for policy planning. Generally speaking, tourist policies
aim to address the challenges of tourism growth while also conserving architectural and natural
heritage and achieving long-term socioeconomic development objectives (Edgell & Swanson,
2013).

As a result, a regular assessment and review process should be in place to improve the current
policies and make appropriate modifications to deal with the always changing environment.
Bangladesh's tourism policies and performance will be reviewed in this paper, and
recommendations will be made to improve the sector's performance.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This paper has general objective to review the existing tourism policies and performance in
context of Bangladesh tourism sector. It also has the following specific objectives:
 To get an overview of the National tourism organizations (NTO) in Bangladesh.
 To analyze the existing tourism policies in Bangladesh.
 To evaluate the present performance of the tourism sector in Bangladesh.
3
  To prescribe recommendation for the improvement of policy and performance of the
tourism sector in Bangladesh.

1.4 Importance of the Study

The objective of this article is to get a full understanding of and an understanding of the current
policies and performance of the tourist industry in Bangladesh. This study is significant because
it allowed me to do research on the many methods and plans taken by the Bangladeshi
government to leverage this sector for economic and other growth. Additionally, it evaluates the
sector's current performance, demonstrating how this sector may play a crucial part in a
country's transition from developing to developed status.

1.5 Scope of the Study

Bangladesh has been cultivating interest in its tourist business among overseas visitors. Thus,
Bangladesh's tourist market is progressively expanding. Bangladesh, which is endowed with
several attractive tourism destinations, has the potential to expand in this industry. As such, this
article discusses the strategies that have been implemented to improve this industry and
examines its performance. This research is based on a thorough review of secondary data
gathered from a variety of web publications published by the World Tourism Organization
(WTO), Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), and Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB),
among others. Additionally, this report includes some suggestions for the tourist sector's future
development in Bangladesh.

4
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

5
 2.1 Review of the Literature

Over the last several decades, travel and tourism have grown to represent a significant
component of the worldwide economy (Blanke & Chiesa, 2006). Tourism contributes
significantly to the economic growth of developing nations, and its importance is well
recognized (Durbarry, 2004). The tourism industry is composed of several small and medium-
sized businesses. It has already established itself as one of the biggest and fastest expanding
sectors of the global economy, and is attempting to strengthen its position in a highly
competitive and quickly changing global economic environment (Yilmez, 2009). The tourist
sector's value may be quantified using a variety of variables, including economic, social,
cultural, and political (Ferdoush and Faisal, 2014). Additionally, tourism contributes to poverty
reduction by providing opportunities for long-term wages, a feeling of ownership, cultural
pride, decreased vulnerability via diversification, and the development of the poor's personal
talents. Additionally, it provides a variety of direct and indirect advantages to people of
developing nations, most notably the impoverished (WTO, 2002). Additionally, it has been
determined that the industry contributes 10.4 percent to global GDP and employs 343 million
people, or around 93.9 percent of overall employment (WTTC, 2018). According to the
Johannesburg Summit (2002), tourism enables the establishment of necessary infrastructure and
other necessary services that benefit not only tourists but also local residents. Tourism
development is seen as a win-win approach since it results in job creation, infrastructure
development, and the country's sustainable growth. Tourism has several advantages, including
GDP contribution, job creation, foreign currency earnings, infrastructure development, and the
establishment of investment possibilities. It also helps alleviate poverty, generates revenue for
governments, and promotes cultural development (Salam, 2014). Thus, improvement of the
business climate, removal of impediments such as simple visa processes, and innovation in
tourist goods may all contribute to the development of domestic and international tourism
(Baisakalova, 2009). Additionally, it is stated that it is critical to preserve an ideal balance of
natural resources in order to ensure that visitors continue to visit areas on a consistent basis.
Additionally, a substantial association has been shown between the tourist industry and
economic growth (Amin, 2008). Bangladesh is a developing economy and so boasts enormous
tourism potential that may draw visitors from all over the globe (Hasan, 2018). Tourism is
regarded to be one of Bangladesh's most lucrative industries (Elena, 2012). Because this region
is renowned for its picturesque splendor dating all the way back to the ancient times (Ali and
Mobasher, 2004). Foreign visitors often extol the country's incredible natural beauty, rich
cultural legacy, and people's generosity. Thus, tourism has the potential to have a significant
impact on economic growth in Bangladesh, since it has the capacity to contribute more value to
the Bangladeshi economy (Masud, 2015). Bangladesh has a favorable effect on arrivals and
profits, which may be amplified if the nation undertakes and implements proper promotion
measures, such as raising the allocation to this end. Additionally, the nation must hire
innovative and active individuals for this purpose, and the quality of promotional materials must
be assured (Masud, 2015). Ali & Mohsin (2008) discovered that the natural beauty of
Bangladesh's attractions, as well as the total expenditure of visiting here, had a favorable effect
on the sector's development. They urged that tourism be considered an important role in
6
Bangladesh's economic growth. To do this, there must be synergy between tourist policy and
their execution. Tourism may potentially contribute significantly to economic development in
the coming years provided enough attention is placed on it and suitable policies are created and
executed (Deegan & Moloney, 2007). It has been criticized that despite the government's efforts
and initiatives, the BPC and other private enterprises, Bangladesh's tourism industry has yet to
establish a significant position in the market, implying that it still has to find a good course for
growth. The primary causes for this sector's laggard status and underdevelopment are a lack of
coordination, inventiveness, good policy planning, and resources. Appropriate emphasis should
be placed on the construction and development of infrastructure with the goal of growing the
country's tourist industry (Ahmed, 1986). Additionally, a thorough analysis on Bangladesh's
Tourism Master Plan indicated that the government has already endeavored to secure significant
investments for the growth of infrastructure, airlines, and tourism in general (Pannell Kerr
Froster Associate, 1998). Additionally, the paper emphasized the importance of investment
management in achieving policy goals and generating a profit. Additionally, Kerr concluded in
the research that the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) failed to fulfill its potential as the
National Tourist Organization and architect of tourism growth. Thus, the study places a high
premium on infrastructure, amenities, and service quality, as well as on balanced promotional
efforts and competent administration, in order to suit the demands of both present and future
tourists. The phrase 'policy' derives from the Greek word 'polis,' from which the names 'police'
and 'politics' also originate. In a nutshell, policy is a term that refers to the basic actions and
consequences of the state. Tourism policy is often characterized as a collection of rules,
regulations, guidelines, directives, goals, and strategies for development/promotion that serve as
a framework for collective and individual decision making (Siraj, 2009). Bangladesh has no
formal tourism strategy before to 1992. In 1990, the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP)/World Tourist Organization (UNWTO) implemented a Strategic Master Plan for
tourism development. By 1992, the government had developed the first major set of tourist
policies. In 2009, the government amended its tourist strategy in order to continue the process
and capitalize on the expanding global travel demand. Bangladesh's National Tourism Policy
was established on December 14, 2009. As the National Tourism Authority, the Ministry of
Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), and Bangladesh Tourism
Board. The policy was to be implemented by the National Telecommunications Organization
(NTO). Bangladesh's revised tourism policies are regarded as complete due to the fact that they
include goals, objectives, policy instruments, implementation plans, and assessment strategies.
The 'National Tourism Policy 2009' includes thirty-one objectives and goals, as well as concise
action plans. Whereas another tourist strategy was established in 2010 with thirty clearly
defined goals aimed at developing Bangladesh's tourism industry thoroughly (Hassan, 2018).
The "Bangladesh Tourism Board Bill-2010" and the "Bangladesh Protected Tourism Area and
Special Tourism Zone Bill-2010" have the potential to strengthen the tourism sector's legal and
institutional capacity. Bangladesh Tourism Board was established as the National Tourism
Organization (NTO) in 2010 after the enactment of the "National Tourism Policy-2010" and the
"Bangladesh Tourism Board Act-2010." It was unambiguously charged with the responsibility
of comprehensive tourist development and promotion. Additionally, it was charged with
developing a comprehensive tourist strategy that would aid the Bangladeshi tourism industry in
7
maximizing its tourism potential and making a significant contribution to the country's
socioeconomic growth (Hasan, 2018). These programs aimed to boost job creation, support
economic growth, protect the environment, and assure sustainability (Siraj, 2009). Through
several acts such as "Protected areas of tourism and special tourist zone" established by the
Bangladeshi government, the tourism industry is seen as a critical instrument with the ability to
deliver significant advantages to the Protected Reserved Forests. (2010) (Rahman). Bangladesh
has long been an enticing location for a diverse range of visitor types. However, its position in
the worldwide tourist sector is not strong at the moment (Islam, 2009). Despite the efforts of the
BPC, the government, and the business sector, the Bangladesh tourism sector has yet to create a
stable foundation and therefore grow into a mature industry. The primary causes for this
backwardness are a lack of coordination, inadequate policy planning, and inefficient resource
utilization. Additionally, the government must create and expand tourist infrastructure to ensure
its continued growth (Ahmed, 1986). By analyzing Bangladesh's current tourism position,
marketing strategies, and overall potential, it was discovered that the country has lagged behind
other South Asian countries in terms of developing tourism and attracting large numbers of
tourists, despite the fact that the country is endowed with notable, diverse tourism attractions.
As a result, it is required to develop appropriate strategies and establish a distinct body to
manage marketing operations for Bangladesh's tourist industry (Hasan, 1992). Bangladesh, on
the other hand, is seeing an increase in tourist arrivals and revenues. Thus, employing more
inventive professionals in tourist management and promotional tactics will considerably boost
tourism development. Improved facilities, more cost-effective approaches, and technology
breakthroughs. Effective and highly efficient tourism services will encourage both domestic and
international travelers to visit the country's tourist attractions (Ali, 2010).
The debate from the many sources cited above demonstrates unequivocally that Bangladesh has
been unable to fully use existing resources, and so has not reached the pinnacle of prosperity.
Although Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, together with other government and private sector
enterprises, has made several initiatives to improve this industry, more concerted efforts and
strategies are necessary to properly develop Bangladesh's tourist sector. Additionally, an
effective implementation process should be in place to ensure that the goals and objectives are
fully realized. This would result in the sustainability of tourist growth and the overall
development of the national economy.

8
 CHAPTER 3
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS

9
 3.1 Research Method

The study makes use of secondary sources and emphasizes the theoretical examination of
available data. The study primarily examines present tourism policies, tactics, and performance
from the standpoint of Bangladesh. Thus, data and information were gathered and scrutinized
from a variety of published articles and reports by tourism stakeholders, including the World
Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), Bangladesh
Tourism Board (BTB), and a variety of other websites devoted to Bangladesh's tourism sector.

3.2 Methods of Data Processing & Analyzing

Numerous online papers, articles, and studies pertaining to the tourist business have been
reviewed in order to ascertain the existence and efficiency of current regulations. The data on
different national tourist organizations and performance reports on the Bangladesh tourism
industry were compiled and evaluated in order to determine how the Bangladesh tourism sector
has done over the previous decade and to forecast future performance.

10
 CHAPTER 4
ANALYSIS & FINDINGS

11
 4.1 Bangladesh's Tourism Management Institutions

THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS ARE SIGNIFICANT PLAYERS THAT HAVE GUIDED AND CONTROLLED
BANGLADESH'S TOURIST SECTOR:

4.1.1 Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC)

BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION (BPC) IS THE COUNTRY'S FIRST AND MAIN TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
BODY. IT WAS FOUNDED AS AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION IN NOVEMBER 1972 BY THE FATHER OF OUR
COUNTRY, BANGABANDHU SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN, BY PRESIDENTIAL ORDER (P.O.) 143. ADDITIONALLY, IT
IS REFERRED TO AS THE NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (NTO). IT OPENED FOR BUSINESS ON JANUARY 1,
1973. UNDER THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM, THE ORGANIZATION IS HOUSED. IT SERVES A
TWIN PURPOSE OF PROMOTING AND EXPANDING THE TOURIST SECTOR WHILE ALSO CONSTRUCTING AND
RUNNING A VARIETY OF TOURISM FACILITIES AROUND THE NATION.

BPC's Vision

BANGLADESH ASPIRES TO GROW INTO AN UNIQUE TOURISM DESTINATION FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND
INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS.

BPC's Mission

THE ORGANIZATION HAS A SET OF DEFINED GOALS TO ACCOMPLISH. THESE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. DEVELOP BPC INTO AN OUTSTANDING COMPANY WITH THE POWER AND EXPERTISE TO
OVERSEE AND FACILITATE TOURISM.

2. ENSURE THAT TOURIST GOODS AND ACCOMPANYING FACILITIES MEET OR EXCEED

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

3. ASSURE VISITORS' SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND STREAMLINE TOURIST VISA AND
IMMIGRATION PROCESSES.

4. DEVELOP ECOTOURISM CENTERED ON ENVIRONMENT AND ETHNIC CULTURE, STRENGTHEN

HUMAN RESOURCES, AND MARKET TOURIST GOODS BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

5. INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY BY ENGAGING GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN

INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS ROADS, RAIL, WATER, AND AIRLINES.

12
 6. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A STRONG PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION IN THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY; TRANSITION THE SECTOR'S COMMERCIAL UNITS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

7. BOOST AND SUSTAIN TIGHT COLLABORATION WITH REGIONAL AND WORLDWIDE INDUSTRY
PEERS.

8. INCREASE EMPLOYMENT, ALLEVIATE POVERTY, AND PROMOTE THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

VIA TOURIST OPERATIONS.

4.1.2 Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB)

BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2010 AS THE COUNTRY'S NATIONAL TOURISM
ORGANIZATION (NTO) IN RESPONSE TO STRONG DEMAND FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND TOURISM
EXPERTS. THIS CRITICAL STAKEHOLDER WAS ESTABLISHED ACCORDING TO THE "BANGLADESH TOURISM
BOARD ACT-2010." THE BOARD'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE BANGLADESH TOURISM BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND
INTERNATIONALLY, TO MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ORGANIZATIONS, AND
TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT INTO BANGLADESH'S TOURISM INDUSTRY. BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD
(BTB) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FORMED VIA A PUBLIC-PRIVATE COOPERATION. IT IS GOVERNED
BY A 17-MEMBER ADMINISTRATION. FIVE MEMBERS REPRESENT DIVERSE INDUSTRY GROUPS SUCH AS TOAB,
TDAB, AND ATAB, AS WELL AS ACADEMICS AND RESEARCHERS, AS WELL AS WOMEN REPRESENTATION. EACH
OF THE TEN MEMBERS IS APPOINTED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE MINISTRIES. THE ADMINISTRATION IS HEADED BY
THE SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS
ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE ADMINISTRATION'S CHOICES AND ANYTHING BENEFICIAL TO
TOURISM. BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD, AS THE PRIMARY PROMOTER OF THE COUNTRY'S TOURISM, IS
SEEKING TO ACCOMPLISH ITS AIMS AS THE NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION WITHIN CERTAIN
CONSTRAINTS. RECRUITMENT AND OTHER ESSENTIAL OFFICIAL EQUIPMENT MUST STILL BE ACQUIRED. WHILE
A JOINT SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT SERVES AS THE CEO OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE REMAINING
10 OFFICERS FROM THE BPC AND ONE FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY ARE ATTEMPTING TO MOBILIZE
THE BOARD TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES AND EFFORTS.

THE FOLLOWING TASKS WERE ASSIGNED TO THE BOARD:

 TO SUPERVISE AND CONTROL TOURISM FACILITIES AND SERVICES.

 TO PROMOTE BANGLADESH'S IMAGE OVERSEAS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT VISITORS BY SELLING

THE COUNTRY'S SOCIOCULTURAL PAST.

 TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURES IN AND AROUND

BANGLADESH.

 TO PROMOTE AND EXPAND DOMESTIC TOURISM.

13
  TO START AND CONDUCT RESEARCH ON A VARIETY OF TOURISM-RELATED TOPICS.

 TO PUBLISH TOURISM-RELATED PUBLICATIONS.

 TO PROVIDE TEACHING AND TRAINING TO ANYONE INVOLVED IN OR LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE

IN ANY ACTIVITY RELATED TO OR AUXILIARY TO TOURISM.

 TO FULFILL ANY ADDITIONAL DUTIES THAT MAY BE ASSIGNED.

Vision
BTB'S AIM IS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT RESPONSIBLE TOURISM.

Mission
BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD'S OBJECTIVE IS TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:

 IDENTIFYING, PRESERVING, AND DEVELOPING TOURISM HOTSPOTS IN BANGLADESH.

 DEVELOPING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY INTERNATIONAL NATIONS IN ORDER TO

COLLABORATE ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH.

 ESTABLISHING SEVERAL TRAINING INSTITUTES TO PROVIDE COMPETENT WORKFORCE FOR

BANGLADESH'S TOURIST BUSINESS.

 ASSURING THE PARTICIPATION OF PHYSICALLY UNABLE VISITORS.

 WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE TO BE PROTECTED AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN TOURISM IS TO BE

ENSURED.

 ESTABLISHING THE BOARD AS AN ENTITY OF DISTINCTION WITH SUFFICIENT POWER AND

DUTY TO REGULATE BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY.

 DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING GOODS OF INTERNATIONAL LEVEL IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY.

 INVOLVE THE GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND

SUPERSTRUCTURE. I.E. ROADWAYS, AIRWAYS, AND WATERWAYS FOR EASE OF ACCESS.
Goals
14
BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE BANGLADESH AS AN INTERESTING TOURISM
DESTINATION.

Strategy

BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD HAS USED MANY TECHNIQUES TO PROMOTE BANGLADESH ACROSS THE
GLOBE, INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FAIRS, SEMINARS, AND ROAD
SHOWS. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS PRESENTLY IMPLEMENTING NEW INITIATIVES AND ORGANIZING SEMINARS TO
AID IN THE GROWTH OF OUR COUNTRY'S TOURIST INDUSTRY.

Bangladesh Tourism Board's Responsibilities (BTB)

BTB'S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE IS TO GROW BANGLADESH'S TOURISM INDUSTRY VIA THOROUGH PLANNING AND
RESEARCH EFFORTS, AS WELL AS TO ADVERTISE BANGLADESH ON A NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE LEVEL
THROUGH DIFFERENT MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL INITIATIVES. TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVE, BTB
MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR A NUMBER OF DUTIES. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SPECIFIC ROLES OF BTB:

 TO DEVELOP DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS ACCORDING TO THE LEGISLATION WITH THE

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF CLOSING GAPS IN CURRENT TOURIST LAWS AND ALLOWING NECESSARY
REGULATIONS TO CONTINUE.

 TO GROW TOURISM-RELATED BUSINESSES VIA A VARIETY OF PLANNING-RELATED ACTIVITIES

AND TO GIVE NECESSARY GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTIONS IN ADDITION.

 TO RAISE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM CONSERVATION,

DEVELOPMENT, AND DISCOVERY.

 TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM BY ASSISTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INDIGENOUS

PEOPLE, LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, WOMEN'S FEDERATIONS,
AND THE MEDIA ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

 TO IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AUTHORITIES' COMMUNICATION WITH BOTH

GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL TOURISM PLAYERS IN BANGLADESH.

 TO PROVIDE A ROBUST AND SECURE BASIS FOR DOMESTIC TOURISTS VIA COLLABORATION
WITH APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

 TO PROVIDE A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY AND TO

SHOWCASE THE COUNTRY'S TOURISM POTENTIAL BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND GLOBALLY.

 TO CONSTRUCT A SOLID HUMAN RESOURCE FOUNDATION FOR THE TOURIST INDUSTRY VIA

15
 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND THE PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES.

 TO ATTRACT VISITORS BY CULTIVATING HIGH-QUALITY AND RELEVANT CONTENT THAT

ENABLES THE PROVISION OF SUPERIOR TOURISM SERVICES.

 TO ENSURE THE PARTICIPATION OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

 TO PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND PROMOTE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE TOURIST

INDUSTRY.

 TO PERFORM RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ON THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AND WORLDWIDE

MARKETS.

 TO SUPPORT SMALL TOURISM-RELATED BUSINESSES BY PROVIDING THEM THE NECESSARY

GUIDELINES.

 TO ORGANIZE TOURISM-RELATED TRADE SHOWS AND TO PROMOTE THE TOURIST INDUSTRY

USING A VARIETY OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGIES.

 TO CREATE AND MANAGE A DATABASE INCLUDING INFORMATION ON TOURIST

PERFORMANCE AND POTENTIAL.

 TO ADHERE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S DIRECTIVES AND COMPLETE ASSIGNED

RESPONSIBILITIES.

4.1.3 Nationa Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI)

BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL HOTEL & TOURISM TRAINING INSTITUTE
(NHTTI) IN 1974. (BPC). IT IS A TRAINING INSTITUTION FOR PROFESSIONAL TOURIST MANAGEMENT.
NUMEROUS COURSES ARE PROVIDED HERE TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL, SKILLED, AND TRAINED STAFF TO
MEET THE GROWING NEED FOR QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS IN THE HOTEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRIES BOTH
DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. ADDITIONALLY, IT BEGAN A TWO-YEAR DIPLOMA PROGRAM IN HOTEL
MANAGEMENT IN 1994. ADDITIONALLY, NHTTI OFFERS EMPLOYMENT TRAINING TO BPC PERSONNEL AND
CONDUCTS CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND OTHER EVENTS IMPORTANT TO THE GROWTH OF THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY.

Mission
THE INSTITUTE'S MAJOR PURPOSE IS TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR QUALIFIED WORKFORCE NECESSARY FOR THE
GROWTH AND MARKETING OF HOTEL AND TOURISM-RELATED INDUSTRIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTITUTE'S
AIMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

 TO DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL WORKERS FOR THE HOTEL, TRAVEL AGENCY, AND ALLIED
INDUSTRIES.
16
  TO MAKE IN-SERVICE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ACCESSIBLE TO WORKERS WITH THE GOAL
OF IMPROVING THEIR WORKING STANDARD.

 TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PERSONNEL IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS BY DELIVERING

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, REFRESHER COURSES, AND ON-THE-SPOT MOBILE TRAINING.

 TO DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR EMPLOYED

INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOTEL AND TOURIST INDUSTRIES.

 TO CONVEY TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND SKILLS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN ORDER TO PREPARE

THEM FOR MANAGEMENT ROLES.

4.1.4 Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB)

THE TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION OF BANGLADESH (TOAB) WAS FOUNDED IN 1992 WITH THE MISSION OF
DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING TOURISM IN BANGLADESH AND PROMOTING BANGLADESHI TOURISM GOODS
INTERNATIONALLY. IT WAS RECOGNIZED AS A TRADE ORGANIZATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH'S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE IN 2002 AND NOW HAS 678 MEMBERS. TOAB HAS A
SOLID WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM, THE BANGLADESH
PARJATAN CORPORATION, THE BANGLADESH HOTEL OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF TRAVEL AGENTS IN
BANGLADESH, THE PATA BANGLADESH CHAPTER, AND OTHER TRADE ASSOCIATIONS. SINCE ITS
ESTABLISHMENT, IT HAS ALSO BEEN A PREMIUM PARTNER OF DHAKA TRAVEL MART.

SINCE THE INCEPTION OF TOAB, ITS MEMBERS HAVE PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN A VARIETY OF FOREIGN TRADE
SHOWS, INCLUDING ITB IN BERLIN, WTM IN LONDON, BITE IN BEIJING, ATA TRAVEL MART IN BANGKOK, TTF IN
KOLKATA, AND SATTE IN DELHI, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINISTRY AND BPC ON OCCASION.

4.1.5 Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA)

BANGLADESH INTERNATIONAL HOTEL ASSOCIATION (BIHA) IS THE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST REPRESENTATIVE

BODY, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 21 INTERNATIONAL HOTELS WITH LICENSE BARS IN BANGLADESH. THE
BIHA IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN PROTECTING HOTELIERS' LEGITIMATE INTERESTS AND FOSTERING UNITY AND
COOPERATION AMONG ITS MEMBERS.

Mission

THE GOAL OF BIHA IS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BANGLADESH'S HOTEL AND TOURIST INDUSTRIES.
BIHA'S MISSION IS TO ASSIST ITS MEMBERS BY SATISFYING THEIR REQUIREMENTS AND FORMING
RELATIONSHIPS IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY. OTHER PARTICULAR AIMS
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

 TO ENSURE THAT THE HOTEL INDUSTRY RECEIVES THE RECOGNITION IT DESERVES IN

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 BANGLADESH'S ECONOMY AND TO UNDERLINE THE INDUSTRY'S CRITICAL ROLE IN THE SERVICE OF
THE TOURIST SECTOR.

 TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INDUSTRY'S STANDARDS, GROWTH,

EFFICIENCY, AND IMAGE ON A NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE LEVEL.

 TO DEVELOP METHODS TO SAFEGUARD THE HOTEL INDUSTRY'S AND ITS WORKERS'

INTERESTS.

 TO DELIBERATE AND DELIBERATE ON NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE PROBLEMS IMPACTING

THE INDUSTRY.

 TO COLLABORATE WITH INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, AND OTHER

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE BANGLADESH,
AND TO PLACE A PREMIUM ON PROMOTIONAL MEASURES AIMED AT PROTECTING THE INDUSTRY'S
BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS.

 TO PROVIDE HIGH IMPORTANCE TO ACTIONS THAT WOULD INCREASE THE INDUSTRY'S

PERFORMANCE.

4.2 Bangladesh's Tourism Policies

THE TOURIST INDUSTRY'S PLAYERS, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, HAVE DEVELOPED A
NUMBER OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS AIMED AT DEVELOPING BANGLADESH'S TOURISM SECTOR. THESE
POLICIES ARE ADDRESSED IN FURTHER DETAIL BELOW:

4.2.1 National Tourism Policy(1992)

BANGLADESH HAS A BOOMING ECONOMY WITH ENORMOUS TOURISM POTENTIAL, SINCE IT CAN DISPLAY ITS
ABUNDANT NATURAL RICHES AND HENCE ATTRACT VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE. NUMEROUS
CULTURAL AND BUDDHIST HERITAGES, THE WORLD'S LONGEST SEA BEACH, OLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ECO-
TOURIST SITES, AND SO ON ARE THE TOURISM SECTOR'S PRIMARY ATTRACTIONS. FOLLOWING THE COUNTRY'S
INDEPENDENCE, THE BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION IN
NOVEMBER 1972 BY PRESIDENTIAL ORDER (P.O.) NO. 143, WHICH BEGAN OPERATIONS ON 1ST JANUARY 1973.
PRIOR TO 1992, BANGLADESH LACKED A CLEAR TOURISM STRATEGY. IN 1990, THE UNITED NATIONS
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP)/WORLD TOURIST ORGANIZATION (UNWTO) IMPLEMENTED A STRATEGIC
MASTER PLAN FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT ON THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. WHILE A SIZABLE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS ARE TRAVELING AS A
RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN PER CAPITA INCOME, THE COUNTRY HAS NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT A
SIZABLE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS.

THE GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTED THE FIRST SET OF TOURIST POLICIES IN 1992. THE POLICY IS OFTEN
REFERRED TO AS THE "NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY." THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO
ATTRACT BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE INVESTMENT IN
BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY. BANGLADESH'S GOVERNMENT HAS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN SEVERAL

18
INCENTIVES, INCLUDING TAX EXEMPTIONS, LOANS, LAND ASSIGNMENT, AND TAX AND DUTY CONCESSIONS,
TO ENCOURAGE BOTH PRIVATE SECTOR AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT. AMONG THE OTHER AIMS ARE
THE FOLLOWING:

 TO MAXIMIZE THE USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES IN ORDER TO ATTRACT BOTH LOCAL AND
INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS.

 TO DEVELOP, PRESERVE, SAFEGUARD, AND CONSERVE TOURIST RESOURCES.

 TO FOSTER A PROPER IMAGE OF THE COUNTRY IN BOTH INTERNAL AND INTERNATIONAL

CIRCLES.

 TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES.

 TO PROVIDE MORE EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO AID IN POVERTY REDUCTION AND SO FOSTER

NATIONAL COHESION.

THE NATIONAL TOURIST POLICY WAS ENACTED AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S RECOGNITION OF THE
TOURISM SECTOR'S POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO BANGLADESH'S SOCIOECONOMIC GROWTH. THE POLICY
DESCRIBES THE STATE OF THE TOURIST SECTOR, DEFINES THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, AND SO MAKES
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW STRATEGIES SHOULD BE EXECUTED. GIVEN THE MULTIFACETED NATURE OF
TOURISM, IT HAS BECOME CRITICAL TO HAVE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT COORDINATION ACROSS AGENCIES,
DEPARTMENTS, MINISTRIES OF GOVERNMENT, AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS.

THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THIS POLICY INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES TO
OPERATE ON A NATIONAL TO LOCAL LEVEL TO ENSURE THE TOURIST SECTOR'S CONTINUED GROWTH:

 NATIONAL TOURISM COUNCIL, WHOSE MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE PRIME MINISTER

 TOURISM CABINET COMMITTEE

 TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 INTERMINISTERIAL COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE AT THE DIVISIONAL

AND INDIGENOUS LEVELS, OVERSEEN BY THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM

 PARTICIPATION OF THE BANGLADESH EMBASSY AND MISSIONS ABROAD

Nonetheless, due to a lack of cooperation between associated parties and the government, it was
critical to revise the national tourist strategy for the industry's benefit.
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 4.2.2 National Tourism Policy(2010)

IN 2009, THE GOVERNMENT MODIFIED ITS TOURIST STRATEGY IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED GLOBAL TRAVEL
DEMAND. BANGLADESH'S NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. THE
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM, BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION, AND BANGLADESH
TOURISM BOARD, AS THE NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION, ARE THE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS STRATEGY (NTO). BANGLADESH'S LATEST TOURIST POLICIES ARE
WIDELY REGARDED AS BEING MORE COMPLETE IN TERMS OF GOALS, OBJECTIVES, POLICY INSTRUMENTS,
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS, AND EVALUATION STRATEGIES THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE. THE 'NATIONAL
TOURISM POLICY 2009' HAS 31 OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS, EACH OF WHICH IS ACCOMPANIED BY A DETAILED
ACTION PLAN. ANOTHER TOURISM STRATEGY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2010 WITH 30 CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS
AIMED AT ENSURING THAT BANGLADESH'S TOURIST SECTOR IS WIDELY PROMOTED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS
STRATEGY WAS TO EFFECTIVELY CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN THE PREVIOUS ONE AND TO ACHIEVE SOCIOECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT GOALS VIA THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. THIS LEGISLATION IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON ECO-
TOURISM, ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF LOCAL
POPULATIONS. THE POLICY AIMS TO DEVELOP THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE ACTION
PLAN. THESE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 ECOTOURISM IN THE MANGROVE FORESTS OF THE SUNDARBANS

 TOURISM ON THE RIVER AND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA

 SACRED SITES

 SPOTS OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

 SEASHORES

 CULTURAL LANDMARKS AND HERITAGE

 TOURISM CENTERED ON A COMMUNITY OR AREA

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENCOURAGE INTER-MINISTERIAL COLLABORATION ACROSS 15 MINISTRIES IN

ORDER TO FULFILL ITS OBJECTIVES, WHICH INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM ATTRACTIONS,
INFRASTRUCTURE, FOOD DIVERSITY, CULTURAL FUNCTIONS, AND TOURIST SAFETY. TO BOOST TOURISM AT
THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED DIVIDING THE NATION INTO SEVEN AREAS, EACH
OF WHICH WOULD BE OVERSEEN BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
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THE POLICY'S PRECISE AIMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Incorporate tourist development into the country's overall development plan, policy, and
program.
2. Promote and develop a well-planned tourist industry in Bangladesh.
3. Establish an integrated vision for the tourist industry's growth; develop and execute
long-term, medium-term, and short-term action plans and strategies.
4. Develop a national, regional, and zonal master plan for the tourist industry's growth.
5. Classify, enhance, and expand tourism attractions in accordance with worldwide market
expectations.
6. Recognize and support the development and promotion of tourism attractions.
7. Contribute to poverty reduction through expanding job opportunities via the
development of the tourist sector.
8. Ensure that tourism contributes significantly to national revenue.
9. Ensure that the government maintains its responsibility in ensuring private sector
participation in order to strengthen the tourism industry and tourist attractions via
collaboration between the public and private sectors.
10. Assure the quality of service provided by tourism attractions and start and update
legislation in response to changing market conditions.
11. Create an opportune environment for international and local investment.
12. Ensure extensive public awareness in order to attract local and international visitors.
13. Develop integrated marketing strategies to attract international visitors.
14. Conduct integrated marketing and increase the renown of Bangladesh's tourist
attractions in other nations, and assign special duty to Bangladesh's foreign embassies
for advertising and promotion of the country's tourism industry.
15. Ensure inter-ministerial/agency collaboration in order to promote a multifaceted tourist
industry.
16. Involve local government agencies in tourist marketing and administration.
17. Improve the socioeconomic status of the indigenous people through developing and
marketing prospective tourist destinations in distant and underdeveloped regions,
especially the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
18. Increase tourist attractiveness through safeguarding indigenous culture, history, and
public awareness and marketing.
19. Growth and diversification of tourism-related activities such as rural tourism, boat
tourism, agro tourism, medical tourism, sports tourism, alternative tourism, and
community tourism, among others.
20. Development and preservation of tourist resources via increased eco-tourism, which
helps maintain the environment's and ecosystem's balance.
21. Promotion of domestic tourism at a minimal cost.
22. Establish and build effective tourism and service training institutions to provide
professional staff.
23. Conduct research, develop marketing strategies, and create a master plan to expand the
tourist industry.
24. Utilize cutting-edge technology in the tourist industry and guarantee the existence of
21
 information and data about Bangladeshi tourism on the internet.
25. Attract international visitors by establishing a tourism reserve area and an Exclusive
Tourist Zone.
26. Ensure the visitors' overall safety.
27. Ensure that tourism-related amenities are available.
28. Provide institutional and financial support for the publication of souvenirs of tourist
attractions.
29. Develop an integrated regional and sub-regional tourism strategy that includes SAARC
and BIMSTEC member nations.
30. Promote collaboration and connection with the United Nations World Tourist
Organization (UNWTO) and other international tourism organizations, as well as
arrangements to receive assistance from these organizations.

TO PROMOTE A BALANCED GROWTH OF THE TOURIST SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
WILL BE ADOPTED FROM THE NATIONAL TO THE LOCAL LEVEL (SULTANA, 2016):

 COUNCIL NATIONAL DU TOURISME

 TOURISM CABINET COMMITTEE

 TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 COMMITTEE FOR INTERMINISTERIAL COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

 AT THE DIVISIONAL AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS

 PARTICIPATION OF THE BANGLADESH EMBASSY AND MISSIONS ABROAD

4.2.3 Medium Term Budget Framework (MTBF)

MTBF WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN BANGLADESH IN FISCAL YEAR 2005-06. IT WAS DRAFTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIONS 10(4) AND 11 OF THE PUBLIC MONEY AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT ACT 2009.
THIS PAPER, ALONG WITH OTHER BUDGETARY DOCUMENTS, IS THEN GIVEN TO BANGLADESH'S PARLIAMENT.
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY OBJECTIVES FOR MINISTRIES/DIVISIONS,
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS, AND BUDGET YEAR PROJECTIONS.
THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM HAS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS INTO THIS
FRAMEWORK:

22
  TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT CIVIL AVIATION POLICY AND LEGISLATION.

 TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES AND METHODS FOR OVERSEEING OPERATIONS INCLUDING AIR

SPACE MANAGEMENT, AIRCRAFT TAKE-OFF AND LANDING SAFELY, AERONAUTICAL INSPECTION, AND
THE GRANTING OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT PERMITS.

 TO RATIONALIZE AND MODERNIZE AIRPORTS, AIR ROUTES, AND AIR SERVICES.

 TO MODERNIZE NORMS, REGULATIONS, AND LAWS IN LIGHT OF A GLOBAL VIEWPOINT.

 TO DEVELOP AND ENFORCE LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE REGISTRATION

AND OVERSIGHT OF TRAVEL AGENTS.

 AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS AIRSPACE CONTROL, SAFE TAKE-OFF AND LANDING OF

AIRCRAFT, AERONAUTICAL EVALUATION, AND THE ISSUE OF PERMITS FOR AIRPLANES AND PILOTS,
AMONG OTHERS, ARE ALSO MONITORED AND CONTROLLED.

 DOING SURVEYS AND CONDUCTING RESEARCH IN ORDER TO BETTER THE TOURIST BUSINESS

 TO DEVELOP PROFICIENT TOURIST WORKERS CAPABLE OF MANAGING THE INDUSTRY

EFFECTIVELY.

 TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE

FIELDS OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM.

 TO CONSTRUCT, DIRECT, AND REGULATE SERVICE-ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE

PURPOSE OF ADVANCING THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

4.2.4 Tourism Vision 2020

BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION HAS CREATED A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TITLED "BANGLADESH

TOURISM VISION-2020" WITH THE GOAL OF ATTRACTING OVER 1.30 MILLION VISITORS BY 2020. THIS IS THE
INITIATIVE THAT DEMONSTRATES THE ENORMOUS POTENTIAL FOR TOURIST EXPANSION IN BANGLADESH. THE
TOURISM VISION 2020 AIMS TO BROADEN TOURISM'S ROLE AND PROPEL THE SECTOR TO NEW HEIGHTS OF
SUCCESS. THE UNWTO DEVELOPED AND DEFINED THE PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR
ANTICIPATING INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BY 2020. (ISHTIAQUE, 2013). IF PROPOSED CHANGES ARE
IMPLEMENTED, "TOURISM VISION 2020" PROJECTS AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 6.10 PERCENT
FOR SOUTH ASIA BETWEEN 1995 AND 2020, WHILE BPC'S BANGLADESH PROJECTS AT LEAST 500,000 TOURIST
ARRIVALS BY 2020. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO AID THE TOURIST SECTOR IN EARNING 4-5 PERCENT OF THE YEARLY
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) BY 2020. WHILE THE BPC ESTIMATES 0.9 MILLION INTERNATIONAL
TOURISTS, THE WTO (WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION) FORECASTS 0.5 MILLION FOREIGN VISITORS IN
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BANGLADESH. BPC ANTICIPATES THAT BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISM WILL GROW AS A
RESULT OF IMPROVEMENTS TO INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS HIGHWAYS AND HOTELS, AND THE EMERGING
TREND OF LOCALS TAKING PLEASURE TOURS.

THIS PLAN IS MEANT TO SERVE AS A COMPLETE REFERENCE FOR THE TOURIST SECTOR, GOVERNMENT, AND
PRIVATE INVESTORS. IT WAS DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT REPORTS PRODUCED BY THE RELEVANT
AUTHORITIES TO REFLECT THE MOST RECENT STATE OF AFFAIRS. THESE ASSESSMENTS DISCOVERED THAT
THERE WERE FEW COORDINATED PLANS AND STRATEGIES IN PLACE DUE TO A LACK OF A DEFINED VISION FOR
PROMOTING BANGLADESHI TOURISM. THESE RESULTS WERE REACHED BY RESEARCHING THE PREVALENT
TOURIST TECHNIQUES OF ESTABLISHED TOURISM NATIONS NEARBY SUCH AS INDIA AND THAILAND, AS WELL
AS CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS WITH TRAVELERS, TOUR OPERATORS, AND TOURISM SPECIALISTS. THE
BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION HAS IMPLEMENTED STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST
GOODS, MARKETING, PROMOTION, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND CORPORATE REFORM. PAHARPUR,
MAHASTHANGARH, AND OTHER CULTURAL HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS NEED CAREFUL
UPKEEP AND PROTECTION. PROPER SUPERVISION AND PROTECTION AGAINST ILLEGAL TRESPASSERS MUST BE
IMPLEMENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FOREST MINISTRY FOR ECO-TOURISM DESTINATIONS SUCH AS
THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS, TANGUAR HAOR, AND SUNDARBANS, AMONG OTHERS. THE VISION 2020
PLACES A PREMIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COX'S BAZAR, ST. MARTIN'S ISLAND, AND OTHER DISTINCTIVE
TOURIST DESTINATIONS, AS WELL AS ON THE PROVISION OF NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND
ENTERTAINMENT AMENITIES LIKE AS WATER PARKS AND CASINOS. ADDITIONALLY, IT SUGGESTED THAT RURAL
TOURISM, RIVERINE TOURISM, HEALTH AND EDUCATION TOURISM SHOULD BE PROMOTED.

ADDITIONALLY, SHORT AND LONG TERM MARKETING STRATEGIES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED, AS WELL AS
SPECIFIC NATIONS TARGETED AS POSSIBLE MARKETS. SEVERAL ACTIONS, SUCH AS FULL-PAGE
ADVERTISEMENTS, BROCHURES, AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS PACKAGES WITH COMPLIMENTARY
PLANE TICKETS, TIE-IN SALES PROMOTION, AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROCEDURES, ARE REQUIRED TO ATTAIN
THE ABOVE-MENTIONED GOALS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS STRATEGY ADVOCATED THAT BPC BE TRANSFORMED
INTO AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNING BODY WITH AUTONOMOUS AUTHORITY OVER BUSINESS SECTORS,
MINISTRIES, AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. ADDITIONALLY, THERE SHOULD BE A ROBUST MARKETING
SECTION AND

THE ORGANIZATION SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MONITOR AND GOVERN ALL VALUABLE ISLANDS AND
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR TOURIST EXPANSION.
THE STUDY DELVES INTO THE CRITICAL FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED BANGLADESH'S DECISION TO CASH
IN. THE FOLLOWING FACTORS ARE HIGHLIGHTED:

1. TO BOOST THE COUNTRY'S GOOD IMAGE WHILE WHILE ENSURING POLITICAL STABILITY.

2. TO GUARANTEE THAT BANGLADESH, LIKE THE MALDIVES, MALAYSIA, AND SINGAPORE,

BECOMES A SINGLE DESTINATION.

3. TO DESIGN AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL MARKETING SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION

NETWORK SYSTEM.

4. TO DESIGN ITEMS THAT ARE DIVERSE AND ENHANCED, AS WELL AS MARKETING METHODS.

24
 5. TO STIMULATE INVESTMENT IN THE INDUSTRY FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SECTORS.

6. TO SIMPLIFY TRAVEL PROCEDURES FOR VISITORS, TO GUARANTEE THAT TOURISM VISITS TO

BANGLADESH TOP 1.30 MILLION ANNUALLY BEGINNING IN 2020, AND TO CONTINUE THE RISE.

IF THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETED, THE WTO TOURISM 2020 VISION FORECASTS AN
AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 6.10 PERCENT BETWEEN 1995 AND 2020. ADDITIONALLY, THE BPC
ESTIMATES THAT AT LEAST 500,000 TOURISTS WILL ARRIVE BY 2020. THUS, IT CAN BE INFERRED THAT THE
AFOREMENTIONED LAWS AND LEGISLATIONS WOULD BENEFIT NOT JUST THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, BUT ALSO
THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

4.2.5 Bangladesh Tourism Board Act

BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD MODIFIED THE STATUTE IN 2010 TO FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF TOURISM IN
BANGLADESH. BTB'S FUNCTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS LEGISLATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. TO DEVELOP DIFFERENT RULES ACCORDING TO THE LEGISLATION WITH THE MAIN PURPOSE
OF FILLING UP GAPS IN EXISTING TOURIST LAWS AND ALLOWING REGULATIONS TO CONTINUE.

2. TO GROW TOURISM INDUSTRIES VIA A VARIETY OF PLANNING-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND TO

GIVE GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION CONCURRENTLY.

3. TO RAISE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM CONSERVATION,

DEVELOPMENT, AND DISCOVERY.

4. TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM BY LENDING A HAND ON BEHALF OF THE

GOVERNMENT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, NON-
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, WOMEN'S FEDERATIONS, AND THE MEDIA.

5. TO IMPROVE CONTACT BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ENTITIES AND BOTH

GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL TOURISM-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS IN BANGLADESH.

6. TO ESTABLISH A STRONG AND SECURE FOOTING FOR BANGLADESHI TOURISTS VIA

COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

7. TO CREATE A TOURIST-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT IN BANGLADESH AND TO PROMOTE THE

COUNTRY'S TOURISM POTENTIAL BOTH INSIDE AND BEYOND THE COUNTRY.

8. TO DEVELOP HUMAN CAPITAL FOR THE TOURIST INDUSTRY BY ESTABLISHING TRAINING

FACILITIES AND GUIDING THEM IN THE APPROPRIATE PATH.
25
 9. TO ATTRACT VISITORS BY RETAINING HIGH-QUALITY AND RELEVANT CONTENT THAT ENABLES
SEAMLESS TOURISM SERVICE AND ENSURES APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES ARE
IMPLEMENTED.

10. TO ENSURE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THOSE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY DISABLED.

11. TO SAFEGUARD WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND PROMOTE WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY.

12. CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON THE TOURIST BUSINESS, CONDUCTING SURVEYS OF WORLDWIDE

MARKETPLACES, AND ANALYZING DATA.

13. TO ASSIST AND GUIDE SMALL TOURISM-BASED BUSINESSES.

14. TO ARRANGE TOURISM-RELATED TRADE SHOWS AND TO PROMOTE TOURISM VIA A VARIETY
OF PROMOTIONAL METHODS.

15. TO COMPILE A DATABASE OF POTENTIAL TOURIST DESTINATIONS.

16. TO ADHERE TO ANY RESPONSIBILITY IMPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

4.2.6 National Industrial Policy(2016)

TOURISM IS RECOGNIZED AS AN INDUSTRY AND HAS GAINED SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION AS A 'PRIORITY

SECTOR' UNDER THIS PROGRAM. IT INCORPORATES THE OBJECTIVES OF INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS STRATEGY SPECIFIES THAT THE TOURIST INDUSTRY WOULD GET SPECIFIC
INCENTIVES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO ATTRACT BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
INVESTMENT. WHEREAS INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE BANGLADESH BANK, THE INVESTMENT BOARD, AND
OTHERS WILL TAKE REQUIRED MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THIS SECTOR RECEIVES THESE ADVANTAGES.

AS STATED IN THE STRATEGY, MANY ADVANTAGES WOULD BE GRANTED TO FOREIGN INVESTORS IN ORDER TO
GROW BANGLADESH'S TOURIST BUSINESS. THESE FEW INCENTIVES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. TO STIMULATE THE INDUSTRY, A SPECIAL PACKAGE WILL BE OFFERED TO WORLD-RENOWNED

ORGANIZATIONS.

2. FOR INVESTORS' CONVENIENCE, A 'INTEGRATED ONE-STOP SERVICE' WILL BE PROVIDED.

3. TAX EXEMPTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED IN CERTAIN INSTANCES, SUCH AS ROYALTIES, FOREIGN

LOAN INTEREST, AND CAPITAL GAINS FROM SHARE TRANSFERS.

26
 4. FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD, FOREIGN TECHNICIANS EMPLOYED IN SPECIFICALLY APPROVED
INDUSTRIES WILL BE TAX EXEMPT ON THEIR SALARIES.

5. ADDITIONALLY, VARIOUS AMENITIES WILL BE PROVIDED, SUCH AS THE ABILITY TO EARN A

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL, PROFITS, AND DIVIDENDS. ADDITIONALLY, DOUBLE TAXATION OF
FOREIGN INVESTORS CAN BE AVOIDED THROUGH BILATERAL AGREEMENTS.

6. "NO VISA REQUIRED" (NVR) STATUS WILL BE GRANTED IF THE INVESTMENT BOARD CERTIFIES
THAT THE FOREIGN INVESTOR HAS MADE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT OF AT LEAST TEN MILLION US
DOLLARS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

7. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN IN LAND ALLOCATION TO FOREIGN INVESTORS WHO INVEST IN THE
TOURISM INDUSTRY.

8. AT THE TIME OF RETURN, FOREIGNERS EMPLOYED HERE WILL BE ABLE TO REPATRIATE THEIR
SAVINGS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS, AND PERSONAL ASSETS, AS WELL AS RECEIVE UP TO 50% OF THEIR
SALARY.
Thus, these are some of the strategies used to attract foreign investment in order to expand the
tourism sector.

4.2.7 Master Plan for Tourism

BANGLADESH'S GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DUBBED
"TOURISM MASTER PLAN" TO ENSURE THE INDUSTRY'S LONG-TERM VIABILITY. IPE GLOBAL, AN
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING FIRM BASED IN INDIA, HAS ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED TO THE
PROJECT. ADDITIONALLY, IT WOULD BE AIDED IN DEVELOPING THE MASTER PLAN BY HORWATH HTL, AN
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, TOURIST, AND LEISURE CONSULTANT, AND TWO BANGLADESHI CONSULTING FIRMS,
BETS CONSULTING SERVICES AND AT EARTH BANGLADESH. THE BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED
MORE THAN TAKA 28 CRORE TO THIS CAUSE. THE MASTER PLAN WILL BE TAILORED TO BANGLADESH'S UNIQUE
CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED A MONITORING COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE
PROCESS. THE PLAN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THREE PHASES: SHORT, MEDIUM, AND LONG TERM, WITH THE
GOAL OF EFFECTIVELY BRANDING BANGLADESH IN FRONT OF DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS BY
LEVERAGING THE COUNTRY'S POTENTIAL AND NATURAL BEAUTY. THE FIRST SIX MONTHS WILL BE SPENT
DEVELOPING THE PLAN'S INITIAL PHASE. FROM JANUARY THROUGH JUNE, ALL OF THE DISTINCTIVE SCENERIES
WILL BE INVESTIGATED IN BANGLADESH. ASSISTANCE WILL BE SOUGHT IN THIS ENDEAVOR FROM ALL DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATIONS AND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES. TOURIST HUBS IN DISTRICTS AROUND THE
NATION WILL BE EVALUATED FOR THEIR STRENGTHS, SHORTCOMINGS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND DANGERS. THE
SECOND PART WILL BE COMPLETED IN THREE MONTHS AND WILL INCLUDE THE SELECTION OF THE TOURIST
CENTER'S VISION, PURPOSE, AND STRATEGIC GOALS. AND THE LAST STAGE WILL TAKE NINE MONTHS TO
FINISH.

IF EFFECTIVELY EXECUTED, THE MASTER PLAN WOULD PROVIDE 10% OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT TO THE
INDUSTRY, UP FROM SLIGHTLY OVER 2% NOW. ADDITIONALLY, THIS MASTER PLAN AIMS TO EXPAND
EMPLOYMENT IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, WHICH NOW EMPLOYS 23 LAKH PEOPLE DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY.

ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD AID IN TRANSFORMING A HAMLET CLOSE TO BISNAKANDI, A NEW

27
TOURIST ATTRACTION IN SYLHET, INTO A COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM (CBT) CENTER WHERE INTERNATIONAL
VISITORS MAY STAY WITH PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCE BANGLADESH'S NATURAL RURAL BEAUTY.

ADDITIONALLY, A DRAFT OF 'THE TOUR OPERATORS AND TOURIST GUIDES ACT' HAS BEEN PREPARED TO
IMPOSE SPECIFIC RULES ON ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN TOURISM BUSINESS AND
SERVICES. THE LAW CONTAINS SPECIFIC PROVISIONS. A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.
TOURIST GUIDES MUST POSSESS THE VERY MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY LAW.
ADDITIONALLY, TOUR PROVIDERS WILL BE GOVERNED BY A GUIDELINE. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE LONG-
TERM GROWTH IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT INNOVATIONS AND PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, INCLUDING VILLAGE TOURISM, CULTURAL HERITAGE
TOURISM, RIVER TOURISM, FOREST AND WILDLIFE TOURISM, AND OTHERS.

4.3 Tourism Sector Performance in Recent Years in Bangladesh

THE TOURISM INDUSTRY HAS A SIZABLE IMPACT ON BANGLADESH'S ECONOMY. ACCORDING TO TRAVEL &
TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT 2019, BANGLADESH IS RANKED 11TH AMONG THE WORLD'S FASTEST GROWING
ECONOMIES IN TERMS OF GDP, HAVING GROWN BY 11.6 PERCENT IN TERMS OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM GDP
(WTTC, 2019). AS A RESULT, IT IS VITAL TO ASSESS THE TOURIST SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION TO BANGLADESH'S
TOTAL ECONOMY. FIVE KEY INDICATORS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ILLUSTRATE THE SECTOR'S OVERALL
PERFORMANCE. FOR EACH ELEMENT, DATA WAS COMPILED FROM REPORTS ISSUED BY SEVERAL PROMINENT
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AUTHORITIES. THESE ARE PRELIMINARY REPORTS.

1. "INTERNATIONAL TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS (2013–2019)" IS A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE

"WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO)," THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIALIZED AGENCY CHARGED
WITH THE PROMOTION OF RESPONSIBLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED TOURISM.

2. THE "WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL (WTTC)" PUBLISHED "TRAVEL & TOURISM
ECONOMIC IMPACT (2018-2019)" AS A PLATFORM FOR THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRIES. IT IS
THE WORLDWIDE TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM PRIVATE SECTOR.
INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS, INTERNATIONAL INBOUND TOURISM REVENUES, TOURISM
CONTRIBUTION TO GDP, TOURISM CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT, TRAVEL & TOURISM INVESTMENT HAVE
ALL BEEN USED TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCE. THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS ARE EXAMINED IN FURTHER
DETAIL:

4.3.1 Arrival of International Tourists

THE TERM "INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVAL" REFERS TO A TOURIST WHO SPENDS AT LEAST ONE NIGHT IN A
SHARED OR PRIVATE LODGING IN THE COUNTRY THEY ARE VISITING. HOWEVER, SAME-DAY VISITS ARE
EXCLUDED. IT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE QUANTITY OF ARRIVALS, NOT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THE SAME
INDIVIDUAL WHO GOES TO A SPECIFIC NATION ON MANY OCCASIONS OVER A GIVEN PERIOD IS CONSIDERED
AS A NEW ARRIVAL EACH TIME, AS DOES A PERSON WHO TRAVELS VIA NUMEROUS COUNTRIES ON A SINGLE
TRIP (UNWTO).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE SUMMARIZES STATISTICS FROM THE RECENT DECADE (2009-2018) ON FOREIGN
VISITOR ARRIVALS IN BANGLADESH:

28
 Table 1: International Tourist Arrivals

Year International Tourist Arrivals

2009 289,000

2010 303,000

2011 154,000

2012 125,000

29
 2013 148,000

2014 125,000

2015 140,000

2016 200,000

2017 126,000

2018 209,000 (E)

2019 180,900 (E)

(E):- Expected Number of Arrival

Source: International Tourism Highlights (2013-2019), UNWTO

Travel & Tourism Economic Impact (2018-2019), WTT

30
THE FOLLOWING BAR DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATES THE TREND OF INTERNATIONAL VISITOR ARRIVALS IN
BANGLADESH BASED ON THE DATA IN THE TABLE ABOVE:

Figure 1: Intenational Tourist Arrivals

2019 180,900

2018 209,000

2017 126,000

2016 200,000

2015 140,000
Ye

2014 125,000

2013 148,000

2012 125,000

2011 154,000

2010 303,000

2009 289,000

0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000

International Tourist Arrivals

THE FIGURE-1 ABOVE DEPICTS HOW, OVER TIME, BANGLADESH'S ABILITY TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL
TOURISTS HAS DWINDLED. IN 2010, IT DREW THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FOREIGN VISITORS, 303,000.
FOLLOWING THIS YEAR, IT SAW SEVERAL UPS AND DOWNS UNTIL 2015. THE NEXT YEAR, 2016, HAD AN
INCREASE OF 200,000. IN 2018, THE SECOND GREATEST NUMBER OF ARRIVALS WAS 209,000. INTERNATIONAL
TOURIST ARRIVALS WERE AT A RECORD LOW OF 125,000 BETWEEN 2012 AND 2014. ADDITIONALLY, THE WTTC
RESEARCH PREDICTS THAT BANGLADESH WOULD RESUME A FALLING TREND IN 2019 WITH A PROJECTED
ARRIVAL OF 180,900. AS CAN BE OBSERVED FROM THE ABOVE FIGURE, BANGLADESH'S TOURISM INDUSTRY
HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ATTRACT A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS.

31
 4.3.2 International Tourism Inbound Receipts
THE TERM "INTERNATIONAL INBOUND VISITORS" REFERS TO TOURISTS WHO GO BEYOND THEIR HOME
COUNTRY FOR A PERIOD OF LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR. FOREIGN TOURISM REVENUES ARE THE SUM OF
INTERNATIONAL INCOMING TOURISTS' SPENDING. ADDITIONALLY, IT MAY INCLUDE FEES MADE TO A
NATIONAL CARRIER FOR OVERSEAS SHIPPING. RECEIPTS WILL INCLUDE PREPAYMENTS AND POSTPAYMENTS
FOR GOODS OR SERVICES TO BE RECEIVED IN THE DESTINATION COUNTRY. THE FOLLOWING TABLE
SUMMARIZES INCOMING INTERNATIONAL TOURIST RECEIPTS IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS:

Table 2: International Tourism Inbound Receipts

Year International Tourism Inbound Receipts (in US $ million)

2009 76

2010 81

2011 87

2012 108

2013 128

2014 153

2015 150

2016 213

2017 337

2018 353

Source: International Tourism Highlights (2013-2019), UNWTO

32
 The following bar chart has been drawn from the table above:

Figure 2: International Tourism Inbound Receipts (in US $ million)

2018 353

2017 337

2016 213

2015 150

2014 153
Ye

2013 128

2012 108

2011 87

2010 81

2009 76

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

International Tourism Inbound Receipts (in US $ million)

AS SEEN IN FIGURE 2, INTERNATIONAL TOURIST INBOUND RECEIPTS HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW FROM 2009
TO 2014. THE NEXT YEAR SAW A LITTLE DROP BEFORE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING UNTIL 2018. IN 2009, THE
LEAST AMOUNT SPENT WAS US $ 76 MILLION. WHEREAS THE RECORD-BREAKING YEAR WAS CLEARLY 2018,
WITH A TOTAL OF US $ 353 MILLION. THE FIRST BOOM BEGAN IN 2017 WITH A US $ 337 MILLION RECEPTION.
AS A RESULT, THE TREND SEEMS TO BE ACCELERATING AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO EXPAND FURTHER IN THE
NEAR FUTURE. THUS, BANGLADESH'S TOURISM INDUSTRY IS FAVORABLY ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL
TOURIST INBOUND RECEIPTS DUE TO ITS UPWARD TRAJECTORY.

33
 4.3.3 Contribution of Travel and Tourism to GDP
THE ENTIRE CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM TO GDP INCLUDES ITS 'BROADER EFFECTS' ON THE
ECONOMY (I.E. INDIRECT AND INDUCED EFFECTS). IT ENCOMPASSES BROADER ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
RESULTING FROM INVESTMENT, THE SUPPLY CHAIN, AND INDUCED INCOME EFFECTS. TO CALCULATE THE
CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM TO GDP, DATA WAS GATHERED FROM THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM
ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORTS FOR THE YEARS 2012–2018. THE FOLLOWING TABLE SUMMARIZES THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY'S OVERALL CONTRIBUTION TO GDP IN TERMS OF BDT BILLION:

Table 3: Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP

Year Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP

(BDTbn)

2012 464.1

2013 519.7

2014 599.7

2015 692.6

2016 763.8

2017 850.7

2018 987.1

Source: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact (2018-2019), WTTC

34
 The following bar diagram has been derived from the table above:

Figure 3: Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP

(BDTbn)
2018 987

2017 851

2016 764

2015 693
Ye

2014 600

2013 520

2012 464.1

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Travel & Tourism Contribution to GDP

The graph above illustrates how travel and tourism contributed progressively to Bangladesh's
GDP from 2012 to 2018. The smallest donation was made in 2012, totaling BDT 464.1 billion,
while the largest contribution was made in 2018, totaling BDT 987 billion. Thus, the data
indicates that the tourist industry is growing in terms of contribution to the country's GDP.

35
 4.3.4 Contribution of Travel and Tourism to employment

CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL AND TOURIST TO EMPLOYMENT REFERS TO THE AMOUNT OF EMPLOYMENT

PRODUCED IN BANGLADESH'S TRAVEL AND TOURISM BUSINESS. THIS INCLUDES POSITIONS WITH HOTELS,
TRAVEL BROKERS, AIRLINES, AND OTHER MODES OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION (EXCLUDING COMMUTER
SERVICES). IT ALSO INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE RESTAURANT AND RECREATION BUSINESSES, WHICH ARE
DIRECTLY RELIANT ON TOURISM. TO DETERMINE TOURISM'S CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT, DATA WAS
GATHERED FROM THE "TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT" REPORT FOR THE YEARS 2012 TO 2018. THE
WHOLE CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN EXAMINED IN THIS CASE, WHICH INCLUDES BOTH DIRECT
AND INDIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS. THE TABLE BELOW SUMMARIZES THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYMENT CREATED
(IN THOUSANDS):

Table 4: Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment

Year Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment (000s)

2012 2178.4

2013 2190.3

2014 2321.8

2015 2435.5

2016 2408.0

2017 2432.0

2018 2414.4

Source: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact (2018-2019), WTTC

36
FROM THE TABLE ABOVE, THE TREND OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR TO THE
EMPLOYMENT OF BANGLADESH IS ILLUSTRATED IN THE FOLLOWING BAR CHART:

Figure 4: Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment (000s)

2018 2414.4

2017 2432

2016 2408
Ye

2015 2435.5

2014 2321.8

2013 2190.3

20122178.4

20002050210021502200225023002350240024502500

Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment (000s)

Linear (Travel & Tourism Contribution to Employment (000s))

ACCORDING TO FIGURE 4, THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT HAS
SHOWN A CHANGING TENDENCY. FOR INSTANCE, IN 2012, THE BARE MINIMUM OF 2,178,400 JOBS WERE
GENERATED. IT PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED UNTIL 2016, WHEN IT DECLINED TO 2,408,000. THE GREATEST
CONTRIBUTION WAS MADE IN 2015, WHEN 2,435,500 JOBS WERE CREATED. THUS, EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT AND SEEMS TO BE SLOWING, SINCE THE SECTOR CONTRIBUTED 2,414,400 JOBS IN
2018, A DECREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IN 2029, THE ESTIMATED CONTRIBUTION WILL BE 3,155,300
JOBS (WTTC, 2019). AS A RESULT, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE ROOM FOR GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT.

37
 4.3.5 Investment in Travel and Tourism

THE TERM "TRAVEL AND TOURIST INVESTMENT" REFERS TO THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTED TO THE
HOST COUNTRY'S TOURISM INDUSTRY. CAPITAL INVESTMENT IS CRITICAL TO A COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC
PROGRESS. THUS, IT IS A CRITICAL CRITERION FOR DETERMINING THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY TO A COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC GROWTH. TO CALCULATE THE INVESTMENT CONTRIBUTION, DATA
FROM THE "TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT" REPORT FOR THE YEARS 2012 TO 2018 WERE GATHERED.
THE TOURIST INDUSTRY HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT (IN BDTBN):

Table 5: Travel & Tourism Investment

Year Travel & Tourism Investment (BDTbn)

2012 44.5

2013 43.6

2014 43.7

2015 60.9

2016 71.4

2017 83.0

2018 96.0

Source: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact (2018-2019), WTTC

38
FROM THE TABLE ABOVE, THE TREND OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR TO THE
EMPLOYMENT OF BANGLADESH IS ILLUSTRATED IN THE FOLLOWING BAR CHART:

Figure 5: Travel & Tourism Investment (BDTbn)

2018 96

2017 83

2016 71.
4
Ye

2015 60.9

2014 43.7

2013 43.6

2012 44.5

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Travel & Tourism Investment (BDTbn) Linear (Travel & Tourism Investment (BDTbn))

AS SEEN IN FIGURE 5, THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY IS ATTRACTING A GROWING AMOUNT OF CAPITAL
INVESTMENT. THE LOWEST INVESTMENT WAS BDT 43.6 BILLION IN 2013. THE FIRST BOOM OCCURRED IN 2015,
WHEN BDT 60.9 BILLION WAS RECORDED. FOLLOWING THIS YEAR, THE CONTRIBUTION TO INVESTMENT
INCREASED GRADUALLY. THE GREATEST INVESTMENT WAS BDT 96 BILLION IN 2018. AS A RESULT OF THE
CHART, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE TOURIST INDUSTRY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ATTRACTING INVESTMENT TO THE
BANGLADESH ECONOMY.

AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE DISCUSSION, IT CAN BE CONCLUDED THAT BANGLADESH'S TOURISM INDUSTRY
HAS DEMONSTRATED AN INCREASING TENDENCY IN TERMS OF GDP CONTRIBUTION, EMPLOYMENT, AND
INVESTMENT. BANGLADESH HAS RISEN TO 11TH PLACE AMONG THE TOP 20 FASTEST EXPANDING ECONOMIES
IN TERMS OF GDP CONTRIBUTION, ACCORDING TO THE "ECONOMIC IMPACT 2019" REPORT. HOWEVER, THE
NATION HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ATTRACT A BIG NUMBER OF FOREIGN TOURISTS. AS A RESULT, THE
GOVERNMENT MUST PRIORITIZE THE INDUSTRY AND INVEST IN ITS INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO DELIVER
PLEASANT SERVICE. BECAUSE THIS SECTOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE COUNTY'S
ECONOMIC AND OVERALL GROWTH.

39
 CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

40
 5.1 Conclusion

TRAVEL AND TOURISM HAVE EVOLVED INTO A MAJOR ENGINE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND A CHANNEL FOR
CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ON A GLOBAL SCALE. AS IT ALREADY SUPPORTS ONE IN
EVERY TEN JOBS AND ACCOUNTS FOR 10.4 PERCENT OF GLOBAL GDP. SIMILARLY, TOURISM IN BANGLADESH IS
A PROFITABLE INDUSTRY THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE FUTURE
ELIMINATION OF POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT. ADDITIONALLY, IT MAY AID IN GROWING GDP AND TOTAL
INCOME, THEREFORE BALANCING THE ECONOMY AND ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVE OF BEING A DEVELOPED
NATION. DESPITE ITS SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO GDP, EMPLOYMENT, INVESTMENT, FOREIGN
CURRENCY PROFITS, AND POVERTY REDUCTION, THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO EFFECTIVELY EXPLOIT ITS
RESOURCES DUE TO A LACK OF EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION. APART FROM THAT,
BUSINESSES SUCH AS AIRLINES, HOTELS, TOUR OPERATORS, AND TRAVEL AGENTS MUST COLLABORATE TO
ENJOY THE FULL ADVANTAGES OF THE INDUSTRY AND CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE COUNTRY'S
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL GROWTH.

THE CURRENT TOURISM STRATEGIES AND PLANS OF BANGLADESH, AS WELL AS ITS IMPORTANT PLAYERS, ARE
COVERED IN LENGTH IN THIS PROJECT PAPER, AS IS THE SECTOR'S PERFORMANCE DURING THE PREVIOUS
DECADES. AFTER EXAMINING THEM, IT CAN BE CONCLUDED THAT BANGLADESH HAS SHOWN GREAT
POTENTIAL IN RECENT YEARS IN TERMS OF TRAVEL AND TOURIST GROWTH.

ALTHOUGH BANGLADESH HAS NOT YET HIT ITS PINNACLE IN TERMS OF TOURISM, IT HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT
IMPROVEMENT IN ITS TRAVEL AND TOURIST COMPETITIVENESS ON A GLOBAL SCALE. IT WAS PLACED 120TH IN
THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM'S STUDY ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS. INCREASED SAFETY
AND SECURITY, A LOW STARTING POINT, A RICH CULTURAL LEGACY, A GOOD VIEW OF GOVERNMENT
COMMITMENT TO THE INDUSTRY, A NATIONAL BRAND STRATEGY, BETTER ICT READINESS, AND THE SECTOR'S
PRIMACY IN THE ECONOMY ALL CONTRIBUTE TO ITS RISE. HOWEVER, IT IS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE
AMENITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURES. THE IMPEDIMENTS TO BANGLADESH DEVELOPING INTO A VIBRANT
INTERNATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION INCLUDE DECREASED INTERNATIONAL OPENNESS AS A RESULT OF
INCREASED VISA REQUIREMENTS, A LACK OF TOURISM SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE, DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING
CONSTRUCTION PERMITS, RISING DEFORESTATION, DECLINING PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS, POLITICAL
INSTABILITY, INSECURITY, AND A LACK OF MANAGERIAL SKILL AND NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF BOTH
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TOURISM AUTHORITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS (WEF TTCR, 2019).

TO REVITALIZE THE INDUSTRY AND GAIN ITS FULL ADVANTAGES, IT MUST EMPHASIZE COOPERATION AMONG
THE SECTOR'S MANY PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR DISTINCT VISIONS. THUS, BANGLADESH'S TOURISM SECTOR
CAN ONLY ATTRACT MORE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS AND SATISFY THEIR EXPECTATIONS VIA
PLANNED AND STRUCTURED TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND EFFECTIVE INDUSTRY
ADMINISTRATION.

BANGLADESH MAY FURTHER ENHANCE ITS GLOBAL TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS BY ADOPTING A MORE
HOLISTIC STRATEGY THAT COORDINATES EFFORTS ACROSS ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING
MINISTRIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, IT MUST
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE

SUSTAINABILITY OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, AS WELL AS THE CREATION OF AN ENVIRONMENT

CONDUCIVE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE TOURISM THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE GENERATIONS.

FINALLY, IF APPROPRIATE TOURIST POLICIES ARE NOT ESTABLISHED TO ALIGN WITH THE CHANGING
ENVIRONMENT, THE BANGLADESH TOURISM INDUSTRY WOULD BE UNABLE TO USE THE SECTOR AS A WEAPON
FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THUS, BANGLADESH'S GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOLLOW THE
EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPED NATIONS IN TERMS OF TOURISM AND TAKE THE REQUIRED MEASURES TO ELIMINATE
IMPEDIMENTS AND CAPITALIZE ON CHANCES TO BECOME A GLOBAL LEADER IN THE FIELD.

41
 5.2 The Research's Contribution

THIS PROJECT PAPER WILL GIVE SUCCINCT INFORMATION REGARDING BANGLADESH'S TOURISM POLICY.
ADDITIONALLY, IT WILL GIVE SUMMARY DATA ON THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF BANGLADESH'S TOURIST
INDUSTRY. VERY LITTLE STUDY HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN ON BANGLADESH'S TOURISM POLICY AND
PERFORMANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE EXISTING WORKS DO NOT GIVE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THIS
SUBJECT. THUS, THIS RESEARCH WILL ASSIST IN DETERMINING THE CURRENT STATE OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY
IN BANGLADESH, THUS FACILITATING FUTURE PLANNING AND EXECUTION FOR THE SECTOR'S GROWTH.

5.3 Limitations

WHILE COMPOSING THIS RESEARCH PAPER, I ENCOUNTERED SOME DIFFICULTIES. THEY INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING:

NUMEROUS STATISTICAL VARIABLES WERE MISSING FROM THE DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS.

NUMEROUS PIECES OF INFORMATION WERE NOT ACCESSIBLE THROUGH GOVERNMENT WEBSITES; CERTAIN
SECONDARY DATA SOURCES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE; AND ALL NECESSARY STATISTICAL DATA
WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

5.4 Implications

THIS PROJECT PAPER WILL BENEFIT TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS IN BANGLADESH, INCLUDING TOURISM
POLICYMAKERS, PRACTITIONERS, AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FORECAST THE MOST
CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE AND HENCE MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS WHILE DEVELOPING THEIR STRATEGIC
PLANS. APART FROM TOUR OPERATORS AND TOUR GUIDES, TRAVEL COMPANIES WILL BE ABLE TO PLAN THEIR
OPERATIONS AND TAILOR THEIR SERVICES TO MARKET DEMAND.

5.5 Recommendations

BANGLADESH HAS UNMATCHED TOURIST RESOURCES AND THE CAPACITY TO USE TOURISM AS A KEY DRIVER
OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. A GOOD POLICY FRAMEWORK IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE
TOURIST SECTOR'S METHODICAL EXPANSION IN BANGLADESH. THUS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEEK TO
ESTABLISH AN EVIDENCE-BASED TOURISM POLICY FRAMEWORK, AS WELL AS PRIVATE AND VOLUNTEER
SECTOR ENGAGEMENT, IN ORDER TO DEVELOP INTO A VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURIST DESTINATION.
SEVERAL METHODS ARE PROVIDED BELOW TO AID IN THE FORMATION OF THIS STRATEGY AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY.

 NATIONAL POLICY REVIEW ON A YEARLY OR HALF-YEARLY BASIS

TYPICALLY, POLICY PLANNING IS DRIVEN BY PRESENT DEVELOPMENT DEMANDS AND BY CHANGES IN THE

42
EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CONTEXTS. AS A RESULT, IT IS CONSTANTLY EVALUATED AND REVISED. BECAUSE
MARKET DEMAND AND SUPPLY FLUCTUATE ON A REGULAR BASIS. CONDITIONS ON A SOCIAL, ECONOMIC,
POLITICAL, AND OTHER LEVEL MAY ALSO SHIFT. AS A RESULT, TOURIST POLICY MUST BE ADJUSTED TO REFLECT
THESE CHANGES AND TRENDS. BANGLADESH IS VERY UNLIKELY TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL
TOURIST POLICY IN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS. THIS WILL JUST ADD TO THE UNCERTAINTY AND
DEMONSTRATES THE HAPHAZARD NATURE OF TOURIST STRATEGY. HOWEVER, THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS
IN PLACE TO ASSESS THE SUCCESS OF POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE COURSE
OF ACTION IN LIGHT OF CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

 INCREASING THE TOTAL PROTECTED AREAS

BANGLADESH HAS 38 PROTECTED AREAS (PAS) SPREAD ACROSS SEVERAL ECOSYSTEMS, ACCORDING TO THE
FOREST DEPARTMENT. WHILE SEVERAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN MADE TO PRESERVE THESE REGIONS, THEY
REMAIN FRAGILE. BANGLADESH IS PLACED 102ND IN TERMS OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC
FORUM'S TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS REPORT (WEF TTCR, 2019). ACCORDING TO THE PAPER,
BANGLADESH SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXTEND PROTECTED AREAS AND MANAGE THEM CORRECTLY IN ORDER
TO SAFEGUARD VULNERABLE ANIMALS AND DECREASE DEFORESTATION, HENCE MAXIMIZING RESOURCE USE
FOR TOURIST GROWTH. AS A RESULT, THIS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY THROUGHOUT POLICY
FORMATION.

 TOURISM SPECIAL ZONING SYSTEM

A UNIQUE ZONING SYSTEM ENABLES TOURISM TO BE DEVELOPED IN A METHODICAL MANNER, SINCE DISTINCT
APPROACHES MAY BE UTILIZED TO PROMOTE EACH ZONE INDEPENDENTLY. BANGLADESH ECONOMIC ZONE
AUTHORITIES (BEZA) HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE GOVERNMENT'S IDEA TO ESTABLISH THREE TOURISM PARKS
ON THREE ISLANDS IN COX'S BAZAR, WITH THE GOAL OF ATTRACTING DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL
VISITORS AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC INVESTMENT. THESE INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: (1) NAF TOURISM PARK; (2) SABRANG TOURISM PARK; AND (3) SONADIA ECO-
TOURISM PARK. THIS WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY ENHANCE BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY. HOWEVER, A
MORE EXCLUSIVE TOURIST ZONE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AND EQUIPPED WITH ALL THE FACILITIES
NECESSARY TO GIVE SERVICE OF WORLD GRADE.

 ENHANCE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

TOURISM SERVICE FACILITIES PLAY A CRITICAL PART IN A COUNTRY'S ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN
VISITORS. HOWEVER, BANGLADESH CONTINUES TO TRAIL BEHIND IN THIS CATEGORY, AS THE TRAVEL AND
TOURIST COMPETITIVENESS STUDY NOTES THAT THE STATUS OF BANGLADESH'S SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE
CONTINUES TO BE AN OBSTACLE TO THE TOURISM SECTOR'S GROWTH. BANGLADESH WAS RATED 133RD IN
THE WORLD IN TERMS OF TOURIST SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE IN 2019 (WEF TTCR). AS A RESULT, THE
BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE REQUIRED EFFORTS TO GUARANTEE THAT TOURISTS GET

43
INTERNATIONAL-STANDARD SERVICE. TO DO THIS, BANGLADESH'S TOURIST STRATEGY MUST PLACE A
PREMIUM ON SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE. GOVERNMENTS MUST SPEND APPROPRIATELY FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND CLOSELY MONITOR WORLDWIDE VISITOR DEMAND IN ORDER TO
PROVIDE IT WITH ADEQUATE SERVICES.

 ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GUARANTEE ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND NON-
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF TOURISM. GOVERNMENTS MAY
INCENTIVIZE THE BUSINESS SECTOR TO INVEST MORE IN TOURISM. ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT MUST
CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO BUSINESS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE NATION AND
WORK TO PIQUE THEIR INTEREST IN THIS AREA. ADDITIONALLY, VOLUNTEER GROUPS MAY GET ENGAGED
NATIONALLY IN ORDER TO RAISE THE HOST'S OR LOCAL PEOPLE'S AWARENESS OF TOURISM IN ORDER FOR
THEM TO CONNECT POSITIVELY WITH THE TOURIST AND PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS
MAY AID IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION BY ASSURING SUSTAINABLE USAGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT. AS
A RESULT, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN TOURIST POLICY.

 INVEST IN THE STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATIONS (NTOS)

THE BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACTIVELY OVERSEE THE ACTIONS OF ALL NATIONAL TOURISM
INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE BANGLADESH TOURISM BOARD, THE BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION,
AND THE BANGLADESH TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE
THESE GROUPS WITH SUFFICIENT FUNDING AND PERMISSION TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY,
THESE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE STAFFED WITH TOURISM SPECIALISTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS TO ASSIST
THEM IN CRAFTING SOUND POLICIES AND PROMOTING THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. ADDITIONALLY, THE
GOVERNMENT MUST OVERSEE AND GIVE VARIOUS INCENTIVES TO TRAVEL AGENTS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A
FAVORABLE BUSINESS CLIMATE.

 COLLABORATE WITH GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

TOURIST STAKEHOLDERS IN BANGLADESH SHOULD COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH TOURISM ORGANIZATIONS

GLOBALLY TO GET INSIGHT INTO CURRENT DEMAND AND THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF
SUCCESSFUL LOCATIONS. GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER TOURISM ORGANIZATIONS MIGHT ENTER INTO
TREATIES WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THE SEAMLESS MANAGEMENT OF BOTH
FOREIGN AND LOCAL TOURISTS VISITING OTHER COUNTRIES. APART FROM THE NATIONAL TOURIST BODY,
MAY SEEK GUIDANCE FROM SUCCESSFUL NATIONS OR SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THEN ADOPT THE IDEAS
IN BANGLADESH. FOR OFFICIALS OF THE UNWTO, JOURNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND INTERNATIONAL
TOUR GROUPS, FAMILIARIZATION TOURS MAY BE ORGANIZED. THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE
DESTINATION'S EXPOSURE TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

 COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES

TOURISM IS NOT RESTRICTED TO A SINGLE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT; IT IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO

44
SEVERAL OTHERS. THESE DEPARTMENTS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO OPERATE BANGLADESH'S TOURIST
INDUSTRY EFFECTIVELY. BY INVOLVING ALL STAKEHOLDERS, THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM
SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN THE INDUSTRY. ADDITIONALLY, IT SHOULD MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE CONTACT WITH
OTHER MINISTRIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY. THE FOLLOWING MINISTRIES
ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INVOLVED IN BANGLADESH'S TOURISM SECTOR: THE MINISTRIES OF LAND,
CHITTAGONG HILL TRACT AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, AND FOREST; THE MINISTRIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COOPERATIVES; THE MINISTRIES OF VARIOUS AFFAIRS, SUCH AS CULTURAL,
RELIGIOUS, AND HOME AFFAIRS; THE MINISTRIES OF COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION, AND INFORMATION; THE
MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, YOUTH, AND SPORTS; AND THE MINISTRIES OF PLANNING, SHIPPING, AND
RAI.

THESE MINISTRIES SHOULD COLLABORATE WITH THE TOURISM MINISTRY AND OTHER TOURIST
ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE BANGLADESH'S TOURISM INDUSTRY'S LONG-TERM VIABILITY.

 REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR

DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT HAS POSED A HUGE DANGER TO NATURE TOURISM. THE COUNTRY'S
OVERALL APPEAL IS HARMED BY AIR POLLUTION AND A LACK OF WASTE MANAGEMENT. ADDITIONALLY,
INCREASING DEGRADATION HAS ERODED THE ALLURE OF NATURAL AREAS. NUMEROUS NATURAL RESOURCES
HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO BE COMPLETELY USED AS A RESULT OF THIS ENVIRONMENTAL DETERIORATION. THE
ADEQUACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL RULES AND ENFORCEMENT CONTRIBUTES TO THIS ENVIRONMENTAL
DETERIORATION (WEF TTCR, 2019). CLIMATE PATTERNS ARE SHIFTING DRAMATICALLY AS A RESULT OF
INCREASED POLLUTION, AND NATURAL CATASTROPHES ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THESE DANGERS
ARE IMPEDING TOURISM ACTIVITY IN A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING COX
BAZAR AND THE SUNDARBANS. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES ARE INSUFFICIENT AND ARE NOT
ADEQUATELY ENFORCED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THUS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENACT APPROPRIATE
LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS TO SAFEGUARD NATURAL RESOURCES AND EXECUTE THEM EFFECTIVELY.

 EMPHASIZING TOURISM IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

TOURISM IS A LABOR-INTENSIVE INDUSTRY SINCE IT DEMANDS HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE TO DELIGHT TOURISTS.

AS A RESULT, IT REQUIRES TRAINED STAFF TO GIVE SUPERIOR SERVICE. THOUGH TOURISM HAS BEEN
INCLUDED INTO SEVERAL GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE. AS A TOPIC FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, PRIVATE
SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES ARE INSUFFICIENT TO MEET INDUSTRIAL NEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FACILITIES
SUPPLIED TO TRAIN THOSE KIDS ARE INSUFFICIENT. DUE TO THE FACT THAT PERSONNEL IN THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY NEED EXTENSIVE PRACTICAL TRAINING, INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH ENOUGH
RESOURCES TO EDUCATE STUDENTS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED IN TOURIST STRATEGY IN
ORDER TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROFESSIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE BASE.

 ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS

45
TOURISM SERVICES ARE GENERATED COLLABORATIVELY BY SEVERAL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING HOTELS,
TRANSPORTATION, RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND TRAVEL AGENCIES. THEY MUST COLLABORATE TO
CREATE A HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE THAT SATISFIES THE VISITOR. AS A RESULT, THEY MUST COLLABORATE.
NATIONAL TOURIST ORGANIZATIONS MUST PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN FOSTERING COLLABORATION AND
SYSTEM INTEGRATION AMONG THESE DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
MUST BE ACTIVELY INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS, SINCE THEY ARE A SIGNIFICANT
STAKEHOLDER IN THE TOURIST BUSINESS. TOURISM POLICY SHOULD PROVIDE A STRUCTURE FOR FACILITATING
COLLABORATION AND INCLUDING ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PROCESS OF SERVICE DELIVERY.

 POLICY ON INNOVATIVE MARKETING

THOUGH BANGLADESH HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF RESOURCES TO LURE INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS, THE

COUNTRY HAS YET TO FULFILL ITS FULL POTENTIAL DUE TO A STAGNATING MARKETING STRATEGY. IT SHOULD
DEVELOP A CREATIVE MARKETING STRATEGY THAT REFLECTS BANGLADESH'S TRUE DIVERSITY. THE
GOVERNMENT SHOULD INCLUDE ALL PARTIES IN THIS PROCESS TO ENSURE BROAD EXPOSURE. BANGLADESH
HAS UNDERTAKEN SEVERAL CAMPAIGNS AND PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS FAIRS TO PROMOTE TOURISM,
BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ATTRACT THE NECESSARY NUMBER OF TOURISTS. THUS, THE GOVERNMENT
SHOULD DESIGN A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR PLANNING, DEVELOPING, ADVERTISING, AND MARKETING
ITS TOURIST INDUSTRY. IT SHOULD ADVERTISE THE TOURIST INDUSTRY VIA ITS FOREIGN HIGH COMMISSION
OFFICE AND FOREIGN COMMUNITIES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED IN BANGLADESH'S OVERALL
TOURIST STRATEGY.

 CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY

BANGLADESH IS ENDOWED WITH A PLETHORA OF PHYSICAL AND INTANGIBLE CULTURAL ASSETS. THE
TANGIBLE CULTURAL LEGACY INCLUDES BAUL MUSIC, JAMDANI WEAVING, MONGOL SHOBHAJATRA, AND
SHITOL PATI. SOMAPURA MAHABIHARA, SIXTY DOME MOSQUE, AND SUNDARBANS ARE AMONG THE
INTANGIBLE HERITAGES. THESE RESOURCES DEMONSTRATE THE POTENTIAL FOR ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS HISTORIC TOURISM. HOWEVER, THESE CULTURAL LEGACIES REMAIN AT
RISK OF BEING HARMED. THUS, SAFEGUARDING THIS LEGACY SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY IN POLICY, AND
APPROPRIATE CONSERVATION MEASURES SHOULD BE ENACTED.

 ASSURE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEVELOP TOURIST POLICIES THAT ARE VIABLE, UNDERSTANDABLE, AND SIMPLE
TO EXECUTE. ADDITIONALLY, IT SHOULD DECENTRALIZE POWER TO STAKEHOLDERS TO ENABLE THEM TO
RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO CHANGES IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. ADDITIONALLY, IT SHOULD
GUARANTEE THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL STABILITY IN ORDER TO

TOURISM MAY EXPAND, AND INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE CAN BE ENTICED TO VISIT BANGLADESH.
ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALLOW PLAYERS TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESSES, THEREFORE
FOSTERING THE GROWTH OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DESIGNATE
THIS SECTOR AS A CRITICAL INSTRUMENT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENCOURAGING INVESTORS TO ENGAGE IN
TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
46
  FACILITATE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEEK TO ENTICE MORE INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN

BANGLADESH'S TOURIST SECTOR. THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS TO
ATTRACT INVESTORS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF FOREIGN EMBASSIES AND DEMONSTRATE THE TOURIST
SECTOR'S DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN BANGLADESH. ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT MUST GIVE MANY
INCENTIVES, A CONDUCIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE, SIMPLE ENTRY INTO THE NATION, AND EASY REPATRIATION IN
ORDER TO ATTRACT SUBSTANTIAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN BANGLADESH'S TOURIST INDUSTRY. THOUGH THE
EXISTING POLICY INCLUDES SEVERAL MEASURES, THEY SHOULD BE IMPROVED AND EFFECTIVELY EXECUTED BY
STUDYING THE POLICIES OF SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES.

 APPROPRIATE BUDGET ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION

BANGLADESH'S GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED TK3,426 CRORE (34 BILLION) TO THE CIVIL AVIATION AND
TOURIST MINISTRY IN THE PROPOSED 2019-20 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, WITH THE GOAL OF ESTABLISHING
WORLD QUALITY AVIATION AND DEVELOPING THE TOURISM SECTOR FOR THE COUNTRY'S SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. IT IS THE HIGHEST IT HAS EVER BEEN. IT IS A PROMISING SIGN FOR BANGLADESH'S TOURIST
ECONOMY, BUT THE ALLOCATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED GRADUALLY TO MEET DEMAND. ADDITIONALLY, IT
SHOULD PLACE A PREMIUM ON AND CONCENTRATE ON ADEQUATE PLANNING AND STRATEGY IN ORDER TO
GUARANTEE THE MONEY IS USED EFFECTIVELY.

 APPROPRIATE TOURISM DATABASE MANAGEMENT

BANGLADESH'S TOURIST DATABASE IS INCOMPLETE AND POORLY MAINTAINED. DUE TO A LACK OF

APPROPRIATE TOURIST INFORMATION AND FACTS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERTAKE A THOROUGH STUDY OF
MARKET DEMAND AND SUPPLY, WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRS POLICYMAKING. THUS, IN ORDER TO
SUPPORT ONGOING STUDY, BANGLADESH MUST MAINTAIN ACCURATE RECORDS OF ALL SOCIAL, POLITICAL,
AND ECONOMIC DATA PERTAINING TO TOURISM. ADDITIONALLY, IT SHOULD MAKE THIS DATA ACCESSIBLE TO
SCHOLARS AND TOURISM SPECIALISTS TO AID IN POLICY FORMULATION AND GROWTH OF BANGLADESH'S
TOURIST INDUSTRY.

 ENHANCE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION CAPACITY

BANGLADESH TOURISM MUST DEVELOP ORGANIZATIONAL, HUMAN, FINANCIAL, AND POLITICAL RESOURCES
TO GUARANTEE THAT TOURIST POLICIES ARE IMPLEMENTED AND EVALUATED EFFECTIVELY. POLICIES ARE
USELESS IF THEY ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED PROPERLY. THUS, THE GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE THE TOURIST
INDUSTRY WITH THE NECESSARY AUTHORITY AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT POLICY EXECUTION AND TO
ASSESS OUTCOMES ON A REGULAR BASIS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY GAPS AND EXECUTE CORRECTIVE MEASURES.

47
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