Even though having mesmerizing natural resources like longest sea beach in the world, biggest mangrove forest, lake and mountain bestowed three districts of Chittagong Hill Tract, eye-catching tea gardens and many historic artifacts, Bangladesh is not being able to attract a good number of tourists.
Tourism is marked as the prospective sector; however it’s keeping existence only by inbound tourism. Sufficient foreign currencies are not coming in for lack of tourists from other countries. Thus, in terms of contributing to the GDP, tourism sector in the country is lagging behind compared to neighboring countries.
According to the latest information of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), despite the COVID-related drawbacks, India earned 8,800 million dollars in 2021, The Maldives earned 2,160 million, Sri Lanka 305.20 million dollar, whereas Bangladesh earned only 167.2 million. It’s even less than Myanmar’s (212.5 millions), which has rigid military force in power.
Nonetheless, from inbound tourism, Bangladesh earned 6,739.4 million dollar. Prior to COVID, Bangladesh earned 369.6 million dollars from foreign tourists, when Thailand earned 62,600 million.
Tourism sector in the country also lags behind in contributing in GDP. In 2019, the contribution of tourism sector in world GDP was 10.30% of the total; however due to COVID, that reduced to 5.3%. In 2021, in country’s GDP, the contribution of tourism was only 2.2%, whereas in The Maldives it was 44.6%, in India 5.8%, in Thailand 5.8%, in Nepal 4.3%.
In 2021, the part of contribution of tourism in GDP was 7,833.40 million dollar. But, the maximum of this revenue came from local tourists and only 2% of that revenue came from foreign tourists. Maximum percentage of tourists came to BD in 2021 was from India. Though, BD is the land of mind-boggling natural beauties, only limited number of western tourists comes to the country.
When talked to various tour operators, they said, the travel-enthusiasts save money to travel for a few days. They spend lot of money to extract joy and charm. The problem is other than staying in luxurious hotels, there’s no opportunity for the foreign tourists to spend lots of money. Bangladesh has good tourists’ spots, but we are lagging behind in providing services. So, the foreigners don’t feel that much interests to visit BD.
Tourism expert and Barishal University professor Dr Md Badruzzaman Bhuiyan told The Bangladesh Pratidin, despite having lots of prospect, the foreign tourists aren’t coming to Bangladesh due to lack of proper promotion and right facilities. We’ve to arrange facilities according to their demands. Then, the number of foreign tourists will be increased and foreign currency will be earned. For this, all the ministries have to render concerted efforts.
@The article appeared on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 12, 2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
