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“Bangladesh Tourism Fair (BTF) 2000” inaugurated

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November 24, 2000 

Dhaka-- (UNB) – A top business leader yesterday said despite large potential for a steady growth, country’s tourism industry did not yet develop due to “imaginary problem” propagated abroad.

“The image problem deterring tourists is more imaginary than real and is the result of mispresentation of facts about Bangladesh…,” said Yussuf Abdullah Harun, the new president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

Addressing the inaugural function of “Bangladesh Tourism Fair (BTF) 2000” at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), the business leader made some suggestions for flourishing the sector, including a coordinated tourism programme with the regional countries.

DCCI has organised the 3-day fair, first ever in the private sector, in its premises aiming to support exploring the vast potentialities of the sector.

Some 17 tourism-related organisations like airlines, hotels, motels, resorts, travel agents, rent-a-car, recreational centres and tourism infrastructure developers are participating in the fair.

“There is a large potential for growth of tourism in Bangladesh,” Harun said listing unexplored attractions for tourists that need development to exploit the potential. Tourism is the world’s largest industry.

Bangladesh offers a variety of historically significant and culturally unique sites for tourists. Tea gardens of Sylhet, the longest sea beach at Cox’s Bazaar, the Royal Bengal Tiger and spotted deer in the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world with unique bio-diversity, offer tourist attractions.

In addition, ancient mosques, Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, monuments and other landmarks dot the countryside.

“But Bangladesh has not yet been able to make any significant progress in development of the industry. We must find out the reason,” said the leader of the apex trade body.

He said a tourist-friendly environment, entry and exit through airports should be free from harassment and travel to and stay at different tourist destinations within the country must be safe and secure for promotion of tourism.

The image problem, due to mispresentation on foreign media, should be addressed through a publicity drive through Bangladesh missions abroad, he suggested.

The business leader said Bangladesh needs two-way approach for development of tourism--domestic efforts should aim at developing tourism infrastructure through maximum participation of the private sector and collaborative programme with other countries of South Asia.

“In this context, establishment of the Tourism Council by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a step in the right direction,” Harun said.

He said development of regional tourism and promotion of South Asia as an international tourism destination are of utmost importance. “The foreign tourists would like to visit the region in a package programme.”

The region’s attractions include world’s highest mountain peaks in Nepal, biggest mangroves forest of Sundarbans and the sea beach in Cox’s Bazaar, the picturesque valley of Bhutan, the scenic beauty of forests and mountains and cultural diversities in Northeast India.

“A coordinated tourism development programme with neighbouring countries would help attract more tourists to Bangladesh,” he said.

He said tourism, world’s largest industry, is a major source of income generation, foreign exchange earning, employment generation and tax revenue.

“I don’t know why tourism industry did not develop in the country despite all potential,” Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) chairman Abu Saleh told the function.

He said an investment of Tk 60-70 crore for long period indicates that the sector could not receive priority from the government.

“Of course, now it is receiving increased attention…I hope from now on there should be more programmes from both public and private sector,” the tourism corporation chief said.

In his address of welcome, DCCI president Aftab ul Islam urged the political parties in power and opposition to talk in the same tune for an enabling environment.

“We can commit to the government, please give us enabling environment in terms of policy and politics, we the business community will give a healthy Bangladesh within shortest possible time,” he said.

World Tourism organisation says more than 560 million global travelers generated a total global income of USD 3.6 trillion in 1996. Over 225 million people were employed in the industry, which is one in every nine of the world’s total workforce.

The industry globally generated a consumption value of USD 2.1 trillion accounts for 10.7 per cent share of the total.

Global travel industry has grown at an average rate of 3-4 per cent and Asia travel growth averaged 6-8 per cent and was continuing to grow with much vigour.

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