Homna - Comilla: Tourism Industry of Bangladesh

There is huge potentiality for the Tourism industry in Bangladesh. The government has taken some initiatives and started some mega projects in last few years for the progress of the travel and tourism sector of the country. As a safe investment options for the future with higher returns lots of government projects and some private investment projects are taking to booming this sector.

According to the 2018 annual report of the Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the direct contribution of the travel and tourism industry of Bangladesh to the national income of the country in 2017 was BDT 427.5 billion, which is 2.2 percent of GDP and total income from this sector was BDT 850.7 billion which was 4.3 percent of GDP. The direct employment from this sector was 1,178, which is 1.8 percent of the total employment in the country. According to a study by the WTTC, there are currently 11,38,500 people directly and indirectly involved in the tourism industry of Bangladesh. Since tourism sector in on the safe investment option and lots of investment is coming here, within 2026 more than 5 million people will work directly in tourism sector of Bangladesh alone.

Recently, as one of the government's tourism-based initiatives, an international standard tourist center is being set up at one of the Island (char) in Meghna River in Chandpur district at a cost of BDT 6,000 crore. Since tourism is one of the safe ways to invest money, the project is being undertaken by Blue River Island Resort and Tourism Club Limited, a joint venture between Japan and Bangladesh.

It’s a mega tourism project, which is about to start construction soon, will include museums of Bangabandhu and Bangladesh history and heritage, Floating cottages, Four kilometers long cable car, Traditional cottages, Studio apartments, Five star hotels, motels and resorts, Theme parks, River cruises, Speedboats, Helicopters, Convention halls, Theaters, Museum, International Expo Center, Market & Shopping Mall, Gymnasium, Indoor & Outdoor Games, Cricket Arena, Swimming Club, Water Ride, Hospital, Party Center, Holy Corner, Research Institute, Staff Residential Area, Tourism Schools Etc. According to the Blue River Island Resort and Tourism Club, the tourist center will cater to hundred thousands of people every day and accommodate 20,000 tourists overnight. About five thousand people will be employed here.

Besides, the Government has taken lots of initiative to build several tourism based projects to develop the tourism industry of Bangladesh. Some of the projects are PPP basis (Public Private Partnership). Due to safe investment with high returns options in these sector lots of private companies are investing money in the tourism industry of Bangladesh. If these projects are implemented, the Tourism industry of Bangladesh will be boost up in the near future. The government, as well as the private sector and PPP will invest for the implementation of these projects. Among these, railways are being constructed from different parts of the country to travel to Cox's Bazar easily. At present there is a railway line from Chittagong to Dohazari which will be extended from Dohazari to Ghumdhum via Cox's Bazar.

Ramu has numerous historical monuments of the Buddhist community. To develop tourism facilities in this area, initiatives have been taken to simplify the road communication system by reforming. About Tk 335 crore will be spent in this sector. The government is investing money for the construction of Ramu Cantonment which is progressing fast, for that various infrastructures are being developed in the vicinity. Embankments are being constructed on all four sides of Shahpari Island from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf. It has been dubbed as Marine Drive Road. Marine drive road has already been constructed from Cox's Bazar to Shyamlapur. Huge number of small and medium islands has formed at the end point of the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal on Shahpari Island. From here, the difference between the confluence of sea and river water can be clearly seen, as can be seen from St. Martin's Island. A tourism project is also being taken there to show these to the tourists.

One of the completed development projects is the recent construction of 80 km long marine drive road from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf. As a result, the tourist city of Cox's Bazar, INANI beach has become more attractive to domestic and foreign tourists. The government has planned to build three special tourist parks in Cox's Bazar district to attract tourists from different countries of the world. Foreign investors are investing money here since this sector is a safe way to invest money. The three tourism parks are Sabrang Tourism Park, Naf Tourism Park and Sonadia Eco Tourism Park. About 40,000 jobs will be created in these places. These mega tourism projects will take the tourism industry of Bangladesh to a new level.

The famous Thai company Siam International Co Ltd is investing in Naf Tourism Park at Jaliwar dwip, Teknaf. On around 271 acres of land, the project worth more than BD Taka 4,200 crore, will provide employment facilities for more than 12,000 people. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) has undertaken the development work of Naf Tourism Park. The Sabrang Tourism Park will be another special tourist economic zone of the country. This tourism park is being built on 1,048 acres of land with state-of-the-art facilities to make it attractive to the tourists. Domestic and foreign entrepreneurs and investors are showing huge interest to make safe investment in Bangladesh tourism industry in this planned modern tourist park. The BEZA has received money investment proposals from several companies for these special tourism parks. These companies will build hotels and Resorts in the zone. They will invest US$ 25 crore for the development of the Tourism industry of Bangladesh.

In the last 10 to 15 years, lots of star class hotels, motels, resorts, special parks etc has been built in and around Cox’s Bazar city. Beside investment companies, Individual peoples who are generally looking for safe investment options, safest way to invest money and people that are looking for safe and long term investment with high returns after their retirements are getting interested to spend money in the tourism industry of Bangladesh. Private hotel / resort and real estate companies are building world class 5-star chain studio hotels and serviced apartments near Inani beach, Cox’s Bazar city and beside the marine drive road as partnership / share basis. People after retirements specially looking for these types of safe and low risk investment options and facilities.

Al-Jesour Resort Ltd has started construction of a 5-Star Studio Hotel and Serviced Apartment named “Prashad Sholilkul” on their own land at Inani beach beside the Marine drive road which is expected to be completed within 2025. 2nd floor column work of the project has already been done. Individuals, Job holder, retired persons, SME business man, NRB (Probashi) and other interested person can make investment in these types of projects for low risk and high yield returns. Most of the government projects to develop the Tourism Industry of Bangladesh in Cox’s bazar, Inani, Teknaf, Maheshkhali, Sonadia area around will be completed within or after 2025. Then this zone will become the Tourist Capital of Bangladesh. Huge number of tourists will go there for refreshment. Within this time the Road, Railway and Air communication system from Cox’s Bazar to all other parts of the country will be easier and faster.

The tourism sector could become one of the tools and best income option for Bangladesh to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The addition of tourism industry in Bangladesh to the development journey of the country will not only bring financial benefits, but also spread its benefits at the marginal level through the participation of the locals. For this, it is necessary to give utmost importance to the tourism industry of Bangladesh in the development thinking of the government.

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