Tourism is a leading industry of the 21st century. It is the single largest industry in the world today. As per statistics issued by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) more than 255 million people earn their livelihood from tourism and by the year 2006, no fewer than 385 million will be doing so. With an estimated 1,600 thousand million US dollars having been invested by then, its 11.1 percent share of gross world product will have established tourism as the most significant factor in the entire global economy. In 2001 international tourist arrivals and receipts stood at 693 million and $ 462 billion respectively making it the highest export earning sector of the world.

Present Status of Tourism:

Tourism today is not confined to a few countries of traditional tourist interest. More and more tourists are now avoiding the over crowded beaten tract and heading for new areas and destinations. This changing behavior and trend in global tourist movement was identified and exploited by many countries by developing their own tourism industry. The tourism industry of Bangladesh has great potentials both as a foreign exchange earner and provider of job opportunities with the resultant multiplier effect on the country’s economy as a whole.

Bangladesh has a host of tourist treasures to offer to international tourists - beaches, lakes, rivers, hills, forests, wildlife, tribal life, archaeological remains, including historical monuments, folklore, religious and cultural heritage, handicrafts and much more. All these combined are enormous tourist products for international tourists, if properly exploited can fetch the country its due share of the ever-expanding world’s tourist trade.

Bangladesh is the land of traditional hospitality and sea-route. The structure of the tourism sector in Bangladesh is predominantly managed by a public sector. Government involvement in the tourism sector is channeled through Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), the National Tourism Organization (NTO) which is responsible for the development, promotion, regulation and operation of tourism activities. It was established in the year 1972 with the dual responsibility of development and promotion of tourism in the country and commenced business as a Corporation in January 1973. As a semi-autonomous organization it provides tourism facilities to construct and run hotels, restaurants, operate Duty Free Shops (DFS), transportation and car rental, establish and run tourism training institution. NTO in Bangladesh is primarily a tourism service provider and promoter of tourism product.

Tourism Development:

The Bangladesh government has taken necessary measures to encourage the private sector to play a positive role in the development and diversification of tourist facilities; and to promote domestic and international tourism in the country. It has declared a National Tourism Policy, recognized tourism as an industry and. a thrust sector in the latest Industrial Policy. Furthermore it is taking appropriate measures to offer incentives to both the local and foreign investors. A National Tourism Council has been set up. In the meantime, a Strategic Master Plan for Tourism for the country has been prepared by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) with the assistance of UNDP. This comprehensive tourism plan has identified our major potential tourist products and types of tourist facilities to be developed in the country. Recently, the Government has taken the initiative to revise and update the Master Plan with the help of international technical assistance for the purpose. The Government had decided to setup and develop Special Tourist hones (STZ) at different potential places of the country to cater to the needs and demands of the foreign tourists. These include Cox’s Bazar, Sundarbans and Kuakata. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) comprising three districts: Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban will also be developed as a Tourists Zone.

Tourism facilities at major tourist spots like Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Kuakata, Mongla, Teknaf, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Bogra etc. have been established mainly by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO). However, private sector investors are showing keen interest now a day to participate in the tourism sector too.

Tourism Potentials for Development:

Bangladesh is situated in the north-eastern side of South Asia. It is a country of diverse attractions, bountiful nature and friendly millions of people with more than a millennium of cultural heritage. Bangladesh is a magical tapestry woven with the threads of hope, struggle and love. Its long meandering rivers and waterways are like motions of a life, vibrant and alive taking and returning, living and being loved. The land is the frame, which holds the tapestry together, and the people are the colors, which make it so enchanting

History and legends are in timely interwoven with the landmass, together with its distinct traditions and cultural traits. It is, therefore, no wonder that Bangladesh beckoned travelers from far and near through the ages. In recent times, with the gradual development of infrastructure facilities and increasing exposition, Bangladesh is fast emerging as an alluring tourist spot on the global map. Our tourist attractions are widely spread throughout the country. The country’s historical legacy is composed of various strands, including Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and British. Bangladesh’s main tourism assets can be grouped as follows:

Cox’s Bazar:

Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas, delightful sea food - this is Cox’s Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh. Here the world’s longest unbroken smooth straight shark free 120 km long clean sandy beach slopes gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep green forests. The beach is good for bathing, sunbathing and swimming.

The breathtaking beauty of the golden sun setting behind the waves of the sea is captivating. The attractive local variety of cigars and handloom products of the Rakhyne tribal families are good buys. Their unique customs and costumes attract visitors. Cox’s Bazar tourist resort has a mine hole Golf course in addition to varied other tourist facilities.

Visits to the fascinating spots at Inani, Himchari, Teknaf, southern most tip of Bangladesh, Buddhist temple at Ramu and nearby islands of Sonadia, Moheshkhali and coral island St. Martin are a memorable experience of a lifetime.

Kuakata:

It is the only beach in Asia where one can enjoy both clear sunrise and the sunset in their entire majestic splendor. Kuakata in Patuakhali district is one of the few tourist spots in Bangladesh where nature survives in pristine, unspoiled grace. With its unspoiled vast sea shore along groves of coconut trees, colorful Rakhyne tribal life, Shima Temple having 70 feet high statue of Buddha, the highest in Asia, thousands of varieties of fish and the holy yearly Hindu Rush festival are added attractions in Kuakata for the visitors.

Eco-Tourism Spots: Sundarbans

Bangladesh owns the largest mangrove on earth, the Sundarbans-the home of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. About 6000 sq. km. of deltaic swamps along the coastal belt of Khulna, the Sundarbans is also the natural habitat of spotted deer, crocodiles, monkeys, cheetahs, pythons, wild boars, hyenas and different species of colorful birds making it a paradise for the eco-tourist.

Heron point, Katka and Dublar Char are the main tourist spots where the visitors may have glimpses of the wildlife as well as also the simple life of its inhabitants: fishermen, bawalis and other working professionals in the forest. The Sundarbans is a place that illustrates the mystery of nature. This wildlife sanctuary is a declared World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Among other tourist attractions nearly is Khan Jahan Ali’s 60 domed ancient mosque built is 1459 A.D. and his mausoleum. UNESCO has enlisted it as World Heritage Site.

Hill Tract Districts:

The three hill districts of Rangamati, Banderban and Khagrachari are inhabited by number of distinctive enterprising tribes like the Chakmas, the Tripuras, the Murang and the Marmas - all preserving their age old cultures, colorful rituals, dances and music. Here the glistening greenery sits on the purple hills around lakes-manmade and natural.

Historical and Archaeological Sites:

There are monuments dating back to 3`d century B.C. at sites like Mahasthangar, Paharpur and Mainamatai which are of enormous interest to archaeologists, historical enthusiasts and cultural & educational tourists alike.

Presently the Government of Bangladesh is giving priority and importance to the tourism sector. As a result, the Government in its latest industrial policy has listed tourism as a thrust sector. Investment by local and foreign investors can act as a catalyst to develop and promote tourism as an industry in the country. It would help develop the socio-economic condition of the local people through more new employment generation and. further economic activities to eliminate poverty from our country.

The writer is the Secretary of Ministry of Communication and Ex-Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Dhaka.