Despite prospect, Bangladesh is lagging behind in flourishing and utilizing its tourism sector.
The country is celebrating the ‘World Tourism Day' today (Tuesday) through various programmes; however there’re many problems associated with this sector, which are needed to be mitigated to boost it up.
About the tourism prospects and possibilities, staff reporters and correspondence of The Bangladesh Pratidin highlighted details on the article in this regard.
Sylhet tourism needs proper planning
With hills lying on the lap of the sky, mesmerizing fountains coming out of the rocky-mountains, crystal clear skyline and soothing lakes and marshlands, Sylhet is one of the most charming tourism places in the country. It has very good reputation as ‘tourism-district,’ but due to lack of proper planning, its full potential hasn’t been realized yet.
According to the authorities concerned, if the potential is utilized, it can contribute to local economy as well as national economy to a great extent.
Among the main tourism attractions of Sylhet, there are Jaflong, Lalakhal, Shripur, Bichanakandi, Ratargul, Bholaganj Sadapathar and various tea gardens located within greater Sylhet division. If we take the Sylhet division into account, Shrimaongol, Lawachara National Garden, Satchari, Madhabkunda, Humhum, Hakaluki and Tanguana Haor, Niladri Lake, Bareker Tilla, Shimulbagan etc are some of the scintillating places to be named. The shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal and Hazrat Shahparan also attracts huge number of visitors each year.
Nonetheless, the prolonged under developed transportation system, spoiling the environment of tourism centers and lack of infrastructural development, the immense potential of tourism hasn’t been realized here.
For example, the government accords are limited in building stairways to Piyain River, Bholaganj Sadapathar and Lalakhal of Jaintapur.
The authorities concerned said thousands of people are involved in tourism sector of Sylhet. If package programmes are taken to flourish tourism sector, then it’ll go a long way to create big employment opportunity. Hence, the development of transportation and infrastructure, building of wash-block and setting up of changing rooms, establishing hotel and resorts in the tourist spots far from the city, arranging of tourist buses and establishing information centers and selling of handicraft products made by the tribal people are needed to maximize its tourism potential.
They said huge number of tourists go to Shilong and Guwahati of India via Tamabil port of Sylhet. But, if the tourism prospect of Sylhet is utilized properly, then these tourists will visit many tourist spots of the district while going to India. Beside, Indian tourists would come to visit here, too.
If tourism potential of Sylhet is utilized properly, then the Non-resident Bangladeshis would invest here for tourism. Even, they showed their interest in this regard while talking to Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Boundless opportunity in Northern part
The mesmerizing water-flow of the Padma River, historical Varendra Museum, green square of Rajshahi University, Paris Road, archaic royal castle of Puthia and Nartore, Sonamasjid in Chapainawabganj, Buddhist temple in Paharpur and Mahasthangarh have made Rajshahi divisional region a great tourist attraction. However, lack of proper promotions, the tourism of northern part of the country hasn’t been flourished yet.
Tourism sector experts urged for both government and private initiatives to flourish tourism here.
Recently, the matter of tourism industry of northern part was discussed in Bangladesh-India Cultural Festival. Rajshahi city mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said to expand the tourism sector of north Bengal, some emergency steps are needed to be taken. Proposal in this regard has also been submitted to the government as well as private investments are encouraged.
Beside the regional tourism sector development, experts urged to emphasize on some important places which can also be a great tourism attraction. The house of ‘World-tourist’ Ramnath Biswas is one among such places. He travelled the world more than one time with just bicycles. His house is located at Baniachang village in Habiganj. In his house of 4.48 acres, there’re some beautiful temples and ponds, in addition to his residential place.
Local enthusiasts urged for the administrative initiatives in order to build a specialized library and cycle museum there.
Baniachong Upazila Nirbahi Officer Padmashon Singha said the papers related to the house will be examined and illegally residents will be evicted if there’s any.
So, the tourism experts and local enthusiasts think if proper government and private initiatives are taken timely to flourish the tourism sector that’s still under less attention, it’ll pave the way to flourish the tourism industry of the country, and contribute to country’s economy as well.
@The article appeared on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 27, 2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
