Even though we often take pride in the abundance and richness of our natural beauties, it is saddening that tourism industry of the country has long been neglected. As a consequence, despite having a number of new but potential tourist spots, tourists usually go to Cox’s Bazar, Saint Martin’s and Sundarbans. But beyond these popular and familiar ones, there are a number of new and potential tourist spots that have remained unexplored. Kutubdia Island, located on the outskirts of Cox’s Bazaar, best known for its sandy nature and scenic beauty, is a perfect instance of the fact. Like many other unconventional tourist spots in the country, because of safety issues along with poor infrastructure facilities Kutubdia Island has remained an unconventional tourist zone.
No remarkable schemes have been integrated for the development and promotion of a number of potential tourist zones like Kutubdia. A number of new tourist spots are emerging in the hill and beach areas of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, vast forest areas of Sylhet and Sundarbans, thanks to social media for helping us explore new tourist spots. But most of these spots remain undeveloped due to lack of proper tourist guidelines and catalogues to promote division-wise tourist spots. Also, there is no concrete plan and target to encourage foreign tourists to visit and explore new tourist spots in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Tourism Board and Tourism
Ministry should work hand in hand to identify,
develop and promote new
and potential tourist spots
Youths and adventure-loving people are getting attracted to new places like Thanchi, Remakri, Nafakhum, Amiakhum, Sandwip, Ratargul and Bichhnakandi etc rather than to the traditional ones. Most of these zones are non-traditional and the government should develop and promote those to attract more tourists. Also necessary interventions coupled with concrete plans to provide necessary logistical support like improving connectivity, and ensuring food, residential and other facilities for the tourists should be devised immediately. Most tourists consider safety and security, accommodation, transportation, adventure, wildlife and natural attraction etc as the most important issues. Therefore, sound infrastructure should be built in the new and potential tourist spots to encourage tourists.
It is good to note that many private tourist agencies and social media groups are working to revive the country’s tourist industry, and popularize the untapped tourist zones. To this end, departments concerned including Bangladesh Tourism Board and Tourism Ministry should work hand in hand to identify, develop and promote new and potential tourist spots. We believe, working together the tourism industry of Bangladesh can play a significant role in boosting the country’s GDP.
