Abstract

Bangladesh is full of natural beauty. Rivers, coasts and beaches, archaeological sites, religious
places, hills, forests, waterfalls, tea gardens surround it. The Sundarban, Historic Mosque in city
of Bagerhat, Ruins of the Buddihist Vihara at Paharpur are the three world heritage sites in
Bangladesh among 1007. To observe the beauty of nature, huge amount of domestic and
foreign tourists visit the country and its tourist attraction sites. In 2015, around six-lakh (6
hundred thousand) tourists came Bangladesh to visit and enjoy its beauty. The total
contribution of tourism to GDP was 4.4%, 3.8% to employment and 1.5% to investment in 2017.
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) looks after the tourism sector in Bangladesh under the
ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Due to some limitations, Bangladesh has failed to
introduce itself as a tourist destination country. This research has identified the prospects of
domestic tourism in Bangladesh  and the contribution of domestic tourism in the Bangladesh
economy. 

Introduction
Domestic tourism comprises the activities of residents of a given country travelling to and
staying in places inside their residential country, but outside their usual environment for not
more than 12 consecutive months for leisure, business or other purposes. In 2019, domestic
travel and tourism spending for Bangladesh was 10.6 billion US dollars. Between 2000 and
2019, domestic travel and tourism spending of Bangladesh grew substantially from 1.5 to 10.6
billion US dollars rising at an increasing annual rate that reached a maximum of 18.77% in 2003
and then decreased to 11.99% in 2019.In Bangladesh:Scenario of domestic level tourism For
domestic tourism, Household level survey was conducted. In all, 21% households appear to
have travelers who fall under the realm of tourism during last one year. About 26% of urban
households and about 13% of rural households had any kind of tourists during last one year. As
revealed from survey findings, household tourists performed tour for various reasons. For
example, about 17% tourists toured for business purpose, while about 16% for recreation, 14%
for health related, 10% for religious, 10% for education and about 9% for shopping purpose.
Majority of household level tourists used Bus (about 47%) as their main means of transport to
reach the destination. While hotel was the main place of staying (about 56%), on the average a
tourist spent 2 nights during their tour and a household level tourist spent Tk. 9,652 for the
whole tour.

Literature review
Although tourism is not a new concept in Bangladesh, however, only since 1990s, this emerging
field has been started to flourish (Rahman, 2010). Moreover, very few studies have been done so far
on the tourism industry of Bangladesh though the last decade is an exception. In addition, most
of these studies are descriptive and qualitative in nature, based on assumptions, and performed
an overall evaluation of the industry (Hassan and Shahnewaz, 2014; Hossain et al., 2012). A
large number of these recent studies (Jahan and Rahman, 2016; Mamun and Andaleeb, 2013;
Das and Chakraborty, 2012; Afroz and Hasanuzzaman, 2012; Tuhin and Majumder, 2011; Rahman
et al., 2010; Alam et al., 2010) have been done on the problems and prospects and on the
overall evaluation of the tourism industry of Bangladesh. Moreover, other studies (Sarker and
Begum, 2013; Zahra, 2012; Islam, 2012; Hai and Chik, 2011; Ali and Mohsin, 2008; Hossain, 2005;
Hossain and Firozzaman, 2003; Chowdhury, 2001) principally focussed on the area of
marketing, destination image, and branding. On the other hand, a few notable studies have
been done hitherto on the cultural tourism (Rahman, 2012; Shamsuddoha et al., 2011),
medical tourism (Mamun andAndaleeb, 2013; Ali, 2012), eco tourism (Ahmed et al., 2012;
Salam et al., 2011), tourism impact (Zahra, 2013; Chowdhury and Shahriar, 2012; Ahammed,
2010; Rahman, 2010), tourism policies and planning (Hassan and Burns, 2014; Chowdhury, 2002),
community-based tourism (Islam et al., 2013), and on the ST (Islam, 2015; Jahan and Amin, 2014;
Anwar, 2012).

Objectives
The major objectives of the study are to highlight the real picture and description of the
different tourist spot in Bangladesh and to identity the present situation of domestic tourism in
Bangladesh, where like reach in future, its socio – economic impact and also aims to identify
the major problems and their recommendations of the tourism industry in Bangladesh. In order
to achieve these aims the following specific objectives are as follows:

1. To acquire a conceptual idea of domestic tourism sector.

2. To highlight an overview of different tourist spot in Bangladesh.

3. To identify the SWOT analysis of Bangladesh domestic tourism sector.

4. To find out what is the lacked behind the development of domestic tourism in Bangladesh.

5. To provide some recommendation for the development of tourism sector.

Methodology
The study followed a descriptive approach to achieve the objective of this study. Secondary
data were used for the purpose of the study. Secondary data is the data that have been already
collected by and readily available from other sources. Such data are cheaper and more quickly
obtainable than the primary data and also may be available when primary data cannot be
obtained at all. The secondary data have been collected from published reports of news paper,
related books, journals, articles, seminar paper, publications from national and international
research institutions, report of different financial institutions, public records and statistics,
different research reports etc.

Prospects for domestic tourism in Bangladesh

Following the last Eid-ul-Fitr, a large number of people left the big cities to spend their holidays
in remote areas. Those may be a beach, a hill town, or a quiet and sylvan riverbank. In Dhaka,
many people boarded a long-route coach or a train the day after Eid. These people seeking
pleasure from visiti ng unknown places are evidently diff erent from those remaining
content with yearly get-togethers of the near and dear ones. According to experts
in domesti c tourism, the number of these travel-loving people has steadily been on
the rise in Bangladesh. A lot of these tourists embark on thrill-laden journeys
throughout the year. Online-savvy urban youths as they are, they look for fresher
pleasure and suspense in unexplored sites. They get tour-related ti ps on the social
media. Thanks to their connecti ons online, the details of sites like Bichhanakandi in
greater Sylhet or the unexplored beaches in Banshbaria and Guliakhali in Sitakunda
conti nue to make the rounds among tourists.    

Aft er decades of ventures undertaken by local tourists, domesti c tourism appears

to be fi nally taking root. It is the adventure-seeking youths who can claim the
credit for beckoning the general tourists to the newly discovered spots. To the
delight of tour enthusiasts, long hidden travel sites conti nue to surface on the
tourist map of Bangladesh. The message is clear and fi lled with auspicious signs. In
spite of its sti ll being in the fl edgling state, signs are there that domesti c tourism
in Bangladesh is desti ned to become a nati onally important industry. Tourist sector
insiders hope the contributi on of domesti c tourism will increase to 4.7 per cent of
the nati on's GDP by 2024. According to the latest reliable stati sti cs, at present
around 7,000,000 domesti c tourists visit far-fl ung desti nati ons in the country
annually. The fi gure was 300,000 to 500,000 in the year 2000. Opti misti c tourism
experts hope the total to hit the fi gure of 10 million in the next 5 to 6 years. But
they do not forget to emphasise eff ecti ve policy framework for achieving this
target. In fact, unlike in the neighbouring India or Nepal, the performance of
Bangladesh in putti ng in place a fully tourism-focused policy, one targeti ng the
domesti c clientele, smacks of amateurism. Except the traditi onal and widely visited
ones, few emerging tourist spots receive suffi cient infrastructural support. During
the peak tourist seasons, the older sites' authoriti es fi nd it daunti ng to cope with
the rush of visitors. With the pressure of tourists mounti ng, the existi ng faciliti es
oft en reach their limit, and things at ti mes go haywire. Compared to it, the plight
of the newly discovered sites is understood. The decades-old Jafl ong in Sylhet
became a great att racti on for middle-class tourists. But apathy on the part of the
nati onal tourism authoriti es detracted a lot from its charm. Not fi nding eati ng-out,
leisure, adequate security and night ti me stay faciliti es, many tourists had already
started shunning the spot.  Eventually it began losing its appeal, pushing the new-
generati on tourists into the region's Ratargul and other sites.       

Given the increase in the number of domestic tourists, optimists discover vast prospects for
sight-seeing in the country. The comfortable statistical data back their enthusiasm. But a few
others are wont to draw a lackadaisical picture. They cite series of drawbacks and disincentives
standing in the way of domestic tourism's emergence as a potential sector. In their appraisal
they include both socio-familial and economic factors. Apart from the ordinary middle-class
people largely being home-centred, high expenses also discourage many from visiting places.
Off-season tourism concessions and reductions, as seen in many countries, can help greatly in
allaying monetary worries of the fixed-income tourists. Concessions have become common in
the country lately, showing people with passion for tourism hop from one spot to another
round the year. The visits of overseas tourists to Bangladesh, most of them making a detour,
from the neighbouring countries, have petered off --- at least for now. Whatever poor their
number may have been, visitors from foreign countries once played a significant role in meeting
the country's prerequisite of tourist diversity. Apart from breaking the visual monotony, they
would add to the physical charm of a tourist site. Though chiefly monochrome, the domestic
tourism now fills the gap.  Ordinary tourists have little choices. The Eid tours remain confined to
the well-known sites only. During the Eid seasons most of the people rush to the three popular
beaches --Cox's Bazar, Inani and Kuakata. Besides, the forest-covered and easily accessible hills,
the Sundarbans etc also have their unique appeal for these tourists. Flip sides pop up. The
frenzied rush of tourists in the peak seasons to the older sites continues to spoil their pristine
beauty. It results in pollution, overcrowded accommodations and rise in petty crimes. On the
other hand, the least visited and newly discovered spots have their own problems encountered
in a tourism infrastructure in the process of growth. Few people are prepared to put up with
the sites' drawbacks and squeeze out the thrill of adventure tourism. However, newer spots
continue to be explored and become favourite in no time. The fast popularity of the long-
obscure tourist sites, thus, spell out the potential for domestic tourism in the country. That it
needs to be tapped without delay is no over-enthusiasm.
The larger and sprawling tour sites remain in shape thanks to the maintenance set-ups put in
place by the authorities. Problem lies with the relatively unfamiliar and remote spots. Being
informed about them in the media, many feel eager to visit these places. To their dismay, most
of them are later found lacking in the basic tourist facilities. Nijhumdwip, Parky beach etc
should have long emerged as mainstream attractions. Unfortunately, they still lie in a neglected
state and are unknown to the ordinary tourists. It largely explains the stunted state of
Bangladesh tourism. That people are discovering the thrill of tourism is great news. Youths in
increasing numbers are coming out of their home confines. All this bodes well for a thriving
domestic tourism sector.

Domestic tourism destination in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's tourist attractions include historical monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots,
forests and tribal people, wildlife of various species. Activities for tourists include angling, water
skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting, and sea bathing.
In the northern part, comprising the Rajshahi division, there are archaeological sites, including
the temple city Puthia in Rajshahi; the largest and most ancient archaeological
site, Mahasthangarh in Bogra; the single largest Buddhist monastery, Paharpur in Naogaon; the
most ornamental terracotta Hindu temple, Kantaji Temple, and many rajbaris or palaces of
old zamindars.
In the south-eastern part, which is the Chittagong Division, there are natural and hilly areas
like Chittagong Hill Tracts, along with sandy sea beaches. The most notable beach, in Cox's
Bazar, is a contender for the title of longest unbroken sandy sea beach in the world.
In the south-western part, mainly the Khulna Division, there is the Sundarbans, the
largest mangrove forest of the world with royal Bengal tiger and spotted deer. The historically
and architecturally important sixty domed mosque in Bagerhat is a notable site. In the north-
eastern part, Sylhet division, there is a green carpet of tea plants on small hillocks. Natural
reserved forests are great attractions. Migratory birds in winter, particularly in the haor areas,
are also very attractive in this area.
Ministry of Tourism and The Civil Aviation Ministry designs national policies for the development
and promotion of tourism. The Ministry also maintains the Beautiful Bangladesh campaign.
Bangladesh Government has formed Tourist Police unit to better protect local and foreign
tourists as well as look after the nature and wildlife in the tourist spots.
DHAKA DIVISION
The Dhaka division, in the centre of the country, is home to 38.678 million people and covers
31119 square kilometers of territory. The Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, Old Brahmaputra,
Dhaleshwari, Shitalakshya, Brahmaputra, Buriganga, and Arial Khan are the principal rivers in
this division.

In the northern regions of Dhaka, near Madhupur and BhawalGarhs, lie the districts of Gazipur,
Mymensingh, and Tangail. Also located in Mymensingh are the Garo Hills. Dhaka serves as
Bangladesh's capital. The city's name means "the city of rickshaws, muslin, and mosques" in
English. Over the years, it has drawn visitors from near and far. The modern metropolis of
Dhaka is humming with activity. It is fast growing and successfully combines both old and new
architectural styles.

Chittagong Division
The Bay of Bengal is close to Chittagong, Bangladesh's main port and second-largest
municipality. It is recognized for its rocky terrain, attractive surroundings, and seaside and is
located 264 kilometers east of Dhaka. The town of Chittagong, also known as the village of
Aulias (Muslim saints), is well known for its wide sandy beaches, lush hills and forests, and
pleasant, moderate temperature.

The Shahi Jamae-Masjid and the Qadam Mubarak Mosque are two of the city's most beautiful
structures. The Chinese traveler poet Huen Tsang described it in the seventh century A.D. as "a
sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water." Portuguese seafarers gave it the name "Porto
Grande" in the sixteenth century.

Rajshahi Division
Rajshahi is bordered by the Padma River. The vast Padma River is most active during the
monsoon with its tides and waves, but in the winter it becomes less active and you can sense
the desert next to the river. Only a few of the historical and archaeological sites in the Rajshahi
Division include Mohastnangor, the ChotoSona Masjid, the Paharpur Buddhist Monastery,
Kantajee's Temple, RamshagarDighi, and Shopnopuri. The Museum of Borendra Research is an
alternative. There are still traces of Mohasthangar and Paharpur's past.

Barishal Division
Barishal is the name of a section of canals and rivers. It is widely known for its coconut tree
gardens. Coconut trees may be found all across Barishal Division. The primary tourist
destination in the area is Kuakata. You can visit DurgaSagor in the lovely Dighi of Barishal town,
where numerous seasonal visitors arrive each winter. One can spend their free time wandering
and viewing the birds in this wonderful park. The main tourist attractions in Barishal Division.

The southernmost point of Bangladesh is Kuakata, also known as SagarKannya (Daughter of the
Sea), and it is a special place for natural beauty. Beautiful views of the outdoors can be found in
Kuakata, including a sandy beach, a sunny sky, a lengthy section of the Bay, and an evergreen
forest. One may observe both sunrise and sunset from its seashore. The coconut trees add to
the natural beauty of the seashore. Kuakata, which is genuinely undeveloped, offers a haven for
birds that migrate during the winter, a row of coconut trees, a sandy beach along Blue Bay, and
a visual feast. Visitors are emotionally affected by the surf, cliffs, fishing, and forests. So do the
colorful sails on the boats patrolling the Bay of Bengal.

Khulna Division
Bangladesh's southwest region contains the Khulna division. The largest mangrove forest on
earth is the Sundarbans. The best tourist destinations in Khulna Division. The largest mangrove
forest in the world is known by the name Sundarban. The Sundarban is the important
component of Bangladesh's tourism business. Every year, a sizable number of foreign tourists
travel to Bangladesh specifically to see this rare mangrove forest. Every year, local visitors also
travel to Sundarban. The area of the Great Sundarban is around 6000 square kilometers.

MAIN ATTRACTION
Activities related to wildlife include wildlife photography, which features the well-known Royal
Bengal Tiger, wildlife viewing, boating through the forest while listening to bird calls, nature
study, getting to know fishermen, woodcutters, and beekeepers, being alone in the wilderness,
and exploring the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans, which extend 50 miles
(80 kilometers) inland into Bangladesh, are the world's largest coastal mangrove belt.
Mangrove swamps are only one aspect of the trees, though; there are also some of the few
remaining swaths of the robust rainforests that formerly covered the Gangetic plain. There are
currently thought to be 400 Royal Bengal tigers living in the Sundarbans, a protected region
since 1966, together with more than 30,000 spotted deer. Because of the abundance of large
and small game, crocodiles, wild boars, deer, pythons, wild birds, and—most importantly—the
Royal Bengal Tiger, which is clever and cruel yet beautiful and graceful, this is undoubtedly a
country for sportsmen, anglers, and photographers. Ducks, snipes, herons, coots, yellow-lags,
and sandpipers are some of the more wary species.
Sylhet Division
In Bangladesh's northeast is the Sylhet Division. There are ox bow lakes, venerated shrines, and naturally
occurring hilly forested landscapes. Greater Sylhet, one of Bangladesh's most well-liked tourist
destinations, is situated in the picturesque Surma Valley amid picturesque tea plantations and lush
tropical woodlands. Sylhet, which is positioned between the Khasia and Jaintia hills on the north and the
Tripura hills on the south, breaks up the monotony of this land's flatness. Terraced tea gardens abound
in Sylhet, which also has an undulating topography and unusual wildlife and plants. The Surma and the
Kushiara, two gorgeous, freely flowing rivers that are part of the Sylhet valley, are both supplied by
numerous hill streams that come from both the north and the south. Numerous haors, sizable
natural depressions, can be found all around the valley. Furthermore, Sylhet has a fascinating
and rich past. Before the Muslim takeover, local chieftains dominated the city. With a group of
360 followers, the famed Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal traveled to Sylhet from Delhi in 1303, where he
preached Islam and overthrew Raja GourGobinda. Tea gardens are visible for miles in every
direction, covering the level plains or the rising hills like a green carpet. Homes of the Mainpuri
Tribal People are surrounded by dense tropical forests that support a variety of plant life. Visits
to the Sylhet tea plantation are wonderful. In addition to possessing more than 150 tea
plantations, Sylhet, the tea granary of Bangladesh, is proud to be home to three of the largest
tea gardens in the world in terms of both area and productivity. The Shrine of Hajrat
Shahjalal(R) and Hajrat Shah Poran is the main draw in Sylhet City (R). In the city of Sylhet, the
Hajrat Shahjalal (R) shrine is perched on a hill (tilla). Every day, thousands of people visit this
memorial. Tens of thousands of people visit the Hajrat Shah Paran (R) Shrine every day; it is
eight kilometers from Sylhet town on the Sylhet-Jaflong route.

Development of domestic tourism sector in Bangladesh

Tourism industry has become a growing and most dynamic sector all over the world. Each and every
country is trying to increase their share in the world tourism market. So innovative and strategic
measures are urgent to improve the health of this industry of the country. It is hoped that the following
steps may be effective for the development and promotion of tourism industry and attracting more
foreign tourists in the country-

 The BPC, the only national tourist organization should be given adequate autonomy for taking
timely decisions on issues relating to strategic joint venture, diversification of business and
ensuring the required organizational development.

 Training facilities conducted and given by the BPC for the staff of hotels and restaurants should
be enlarged and well equipped.

 Adequate rules and regulations should be framed and existing regulations should be modified.
  Proper arrangement should be made for publications of brochure’s, booklet, regarding different
tourist spots.

 Development of proper infrastructure may increase the number of domestic tourists.

 Creation of sub – regional zones may be helpful to motivate foreign tourists.

SWOT Analysis of Domestic Tourism in Bangladesh

On the basis secondary data, it has been done the following SWOT analysis

Strengths Opportunities

 Bangladesh is renowned for its natural  Globalization and dissemination of

beauty, greenery, archeological and
historical places and hospitality of people.
 It has numerous rivers and longest sea
beach of the World.
 Scope for expansion of world tourism.
 Low cost of products and services.
 Available accommodation facility
throughout the country.
Weaknesses
information
 Scope for Expansion of Communication
media
 To attract tourists if regular research and
development may be done by the policy
makers
 Tourist spots should be more attractive
Strong competition within the region
 To attend in International tourism fair
Increase Seminar
Threats

 Problems related to safety security and  Political instability

hygiene,
 Infrastructure for enhancement of the
 Lack of Entertainment Facilities both tourism is not well developed
physical and recreational
 Barriers to overcome Image crisis of
 Lack of new investment; Lack of safety and Bangladesh
Security
 Harassment by the police and the broker.
 Non Professional Tour operators
 Bangladesh is often projected in foreign
 Poor Image of Bangladesh, as a tourist electronic and print media as a country of
destination flood, cyclone, strike, political violence etc.

 Lack of proper promotional activities  Political collision between tribal and Bengali
people.
  Unavailable forging aids or investment in
the tourism sector of Bangladesh  Absence of long term tourism policy

The tourist sector in Bangladesh is expanding.

International tourism is one of the most dynamic and quickly growing businesses. Every country
strives to acquire a bigger portion of the world tourism market. It is imperative to take
innovative and astute action in order to enhance the state of our nation's industry. The
following actions are hoped to be successful in developing the tourism sector, marketing it, and
drawing more foreign tourists to the nation:

As the sole national tourist agency, the BPC must have sufficient authority to move swiftly on
joint projects with strategic objectives, economic diversification, and organizational
development.

 Hotel and restaurant employees should have access to enlarged and well-
equipped training facilities provided by the BPC. Adequate standards and
rules must be created, and those that now exist must be changed.

 Making the necessary preparations is essential before publishing booklets and

brochures on various tourist attractions.

 The number of domestic and international tourists may increase with the
development of the necessary infrastructure.

 The establishment of sub-regional zones could aid in luring international

travelers.

conclusion
At present, the tourism resources of Bangladesh are immense and the simple &
friendly people of Bangladesh along with its indigenous communities, which live
isolated from modern society and possess their own distinct culture and way of life,
make Bangladesh a unique place of attraction for tourists. Bangladeshis are always
happy to extend their hospitality to visitors, who should find it an enjoyable place.
The significance of tourism is viewed from many angles like economic, social, cultural,
political etc. For many developing countries, in particular the Least Developed
Countries (LDCs), tourism is considered to be the one of the fundamental pillars of
their economic development. is a country of Asian region holding high potentiality of
tourism. Although Bangladesh is a least develop country from nearly 150 million
people with limited resources and huge unemployment circumstances, an ongoing
effective master plan by the government, Bangladesh Parjaton Corporation (BPC) and
collaboration of private sectors of development can contribute for the development
of tourism business in Bangladesh. Tourism can only contribute for the developing
countries of economic, socio – cultural and environmental progress apparently. In
fact, Bangladesh government needs to keep attention for staggering its strategic
planning.