Opinion
Explore tourism potential for forex earning
BANGLADESH can earn a lot of foreign currency based on the tourism products it has. Because tourism products are unique to respective countries and thus cannot be competed. It is being observed that many countries in the world are earning a big amount of foreign currency based on one or two tourism products. For example, our neighbouring country Nepal, with the highest mountain peak Everest in the world has taken a position in the world tourism market and earns huge amount of foreign currency. Bangladesh has a number of tourism products like Cox's Bazar, the longest sea-beach in the world; Kuakata from where one can get the rare chance of viewing the sun-rise and sun-set from the same point; Sundarban the largest mangrove forest in the world with the rare and special Royal Bengal Tiger. Moreover, during winter numerous guest birds come from Siberia and such other cold weather and stay in our marshy areas for sometime as bonus for our tourism industry.
Our tourism industry is in a better position. Summer i.e. June to August is the tourism season in Europe and America. On the other hand, our tourism season is in winter i.e. October to March during when there is extreme cold in Europe and America and the tourist spots are not favourable for visiting. We are also in a favourable position from a lengthy tourism season here. The tourism season in Europe and America is three months (June-August) and our tourism season is six months (October-March) when we have congenial weather for tourists. Our tourism industry is having an extra advantage in terms of location too i.e. all the tourist locations situated within a distance of 400 km from the capital Dhaka. Tourists can reach any spot by road within dawn to dusk.
It is extremely regrettable that in spite of so many rare sights available, the name of Bangladesh is found nowhere in world tourist map. The issues of expansion of tourism industry and making it attractive to the foreigners always make one type of policy makers raise eyebrows in terms of social and religious values. They just deny the fact that is possible to flourish this industry even after following the social and religious norms and values.
There are other hindrances which act as set back to our tourism industry
It is heard that after daylight, our Cox's Bazar sea-beach becomes hunting house for the rogues and there is no security for any type of tourists. It is not strange that you fill prey to muggers. The most negative aspect is that there is no rescuer for the surfing tourists. It is very surprising that there is no safety measures at the largest sea-beach in the world. Whereas in the small sea beaches in other countries rescue personnel are constantly patrolling with speedboat.
In spite of having tremendous specialties, everything is overshadowed by the incompatible communication system here. For instance, to cover Kuakata, a distance of 100 km from the divisional town Barisal, it takes five long hours by road. Especially terrible is the condition of 68 km of road to Kuakata from Barisal-Patuakhali Highway junction. It takes four hours to cross this distance.
All the existing communications and other problems in these areas must be immediately worked out. Roads and communication systems have to be highly developed from Chittagong to Cox-s-Bazar and Chittagong to Rangamati and Banderban and also from Dhaka to Kuakata, so that tourists can easily enjoy the beauty of world's largest sea-beach and the loveliness of hilly region and its tribal culture and life style as well as the enchanting sunrise and sunset.
Brochures can be prepared citing all rare sites and sounds of Bangladesh tourist spots and distributed throughout the world by the tourism corporation.
Tourism is a service oriented industry. Therefore, government and non-government entrepreneurs who are running different hotels, restaurants and entertainment organizations should provide special training on hospitality to all its employees and staff.
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