Cox’s Bazar master plan aims to woo global tourism investment

The government is preparing to open Cox’s Bazar’s tourism sector to large-scale international investment through a new master plan aimed at transforming the coastal district into a globally competitive tourism destination.

The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), with support from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority, has invited proposals from seven consultancy firms to prepare a comprehensive development plan for the country’s premier beach destination.

Firms from the United Kingdom, France, Spain and India are among those that have submitted proposals. The selected consultant will prepare a detailed master plan covering land-use planning, architectural designs, investment requirements, feasibility studies, risk assessments and a business model to attract international investors.

The plan is expected to create a major tourism and entertainment zone on BPC-owned land along the Cox’s Bazar beachfront, with preliminary investment estimates of around Tk2,500 crore.

According to BPC officials, the proposed development will include hotels, resorts, entertainment facilities, a private beach zone for foreign tourists, a Ferris wheel, amusement rides, swimming pools, water-based activities, spas, gyms, cinemas, a 3D cineplex, food courts, restaurants, shopping facilities, a games zone and an aquarium.

The development will also include dedicated spaces for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, alongside regular cultural performances featuring Bangladesh’s folk and Baul traditions.

The objective is to transform Cox’s Bazar from a short-stay beach destination into a multi-day tourism experience.

“We want tourists to remain engaged with different activities so that they can comfortably spend two or three days at the destination without feeling bored,” Md Ziaul Haque Howlader, general manager (planning, statistics and training) of the BPC, told the 'Aviation and Tourism Times'.

He said the proposed development would attract both domestic and international tourists and help generate foreign exchange for Bangladesh.

“Tourism is an important tool for earning foreign exchange, generating employment, reducing poverty, promoting empowerment and protecting the environment,” he said.

Investors to be invited after master plan

The selected transaction adviser will conduct detailed studies on the project’s financial viability, investment requirements, rate of return, risks and possible solutions.

The adviser will also prepare a preliminary development concept and land-use plan that potential investors can use to assess the project.

After the feasibility study is completed, the government plans to invite international investors to submit proposals. The investor offering the most attractive development plan and the highest potential return to the government could be selected under the PPP model.

The selected investor may be given around three years to complete the development, according to BPC officials.

The government is also expecting a substantial upfront premium and regular annual revenue from the project.

The preliminary investment requirement has been estimated at around Tk2,500 crore, although the final amount will depend on the detailed feasibility study and the development model prepared by the selected consultant.

Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), said the government was working to attract more international investment by improving the business environment and reducing bureaucratic delays.

He said the government was seeking to make it easier and faster for investors to establish businesses and obtain the necessary approvals in Bangladesh.

From beach destination to tourism hub

BPC officials believe Cox’s Bazar has the potential to become much more than a destination where tourists spend a day on the beach.

The planned development will focus on creating a complete tourism ecosystem where visitors can stay for several days and enjoy entertainment, food, culture, shopping and recreation in one destination.

The proposed tourism zone will be developed on large areas of BPC-owned land in the beachside Shaibal and Laboni areas. An exclusive beach facility for foreign tourists is also being considered to offer greater privacy and comfort.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said the government wanted to develop Cox’s Bazar as a premier tourism destination while ensuring environmental sustainability.

“We want to transform Cox’s Bazar into a tourism hub,” she said.

The minister said the government had already taken initiatives to modernise BPC-operated hotels in the district. She also called for an eco-tourism model and sought cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure sustainable tourism growth.

She expressed optimism that the upgraded Cox’s Bazar International Airport would be inaugurated soon, saying improved air connectivity would make the destination more attractive to foreign tourists.

‘Tourism hub’ needs a clear definition

Tourism experts, however, say the government needs to clearly define what it means by making Cox’s Bazar an international tourism hub.

Masum Pervez, chief executive officer of Tourifye, said the initiative was positive but stressed that the difference between a tourism destination and a tourism hub should be clearly understood.

“Cox’s Bazar has the potential to become a major international tourism destination. But the master plan must be professionally prepared and, more importantly, properly implemented,” he told the *Aviation and Tourism Times*.

He said the government should decide whether it wanted to develop Cox’s Bazar as a world-class holiday destination or as a broader regional tourism hub.

“If the term ‘tourism hub’ is used in the international sense, it should mean more than simply promoting Cox’s Bazar as a holiday destination. The destination should be connected with international tourism networks and offer facilities that meet international expectations,” he said.

Pervez said tourist safety and security would be critical to the success of the initiative.

“No tourism destination can become a true international hub if tourists do not feel safe,” he said, stressing that crime and illegal activities must be effectively controlled so tourists could move freely and confidently, including at night.

Infrastructure remains the biggest gap

Nusrat Jahan, associate professor in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Dhaka, said Cox’s Bazar has significant tourism potential but lacks the infrastructure and facilities required to attract more international visitors.

“The biggest gap between Cox’s Bazar and leading international destinations is the lack of adequate infrastructure and facilities,” she told the 'Aviation and Tourism Times'.

She said international tourists expect high-quality transport, cleanliness, security and services.

“Connectivity needs to be improved. The airport, roads, rail services and other facilities must meet international expectations,” she said.

She also called for dedicated tourism zones with night markets, cultural performances and opportunities for tourists to experience Bangladesh’s food, music and traditions.

“Tourists do not come only to sleep and relax. They want to experience what they see, eat and do,” she said.

Skilled workforce needed

The BPC is also planning a major hotel and tourism training institute in Cox’s Bazar to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the expanding hospitality industry.

The proposed institute is expected to operate as a hotel-cum-training facility, allowing students to receive practical training in a functioning hotel environment.

The facility is planned to offer training in six major disciplines, including front office operations, housekeeping and laundry, travel and tourism operations, food production and service, and other hospitality services.

According to Howlader, the institute could train around 800 to 900 people annually through multiple intakes and shifts.

Cox’s Bazar already has hundreds of hotels and resorts, creating growing demand for trained workers in front office operations, housekeeping, food and beverage services, kitchens, spas and swimming pools.

“Cox’s Bazar is becoming a tourism hub, but the industry needs skilled manpower. We want to create trained human resources who can work in the local tourism industry and also compete in international markets,” Howlader said.

The selected consultancy firm will assess the project’s environmental and commercial feasibility, identify suitable locations for different facilities and determine the level of investment required.

The consultant will also examine potential risks, market conditions, site conditions, projected returns and the potential to generate revenue for the government.

The final plan will serve as the basis for inviting international investors.

The government hopes the initiative will create a new investment pipeline for Cox’s Bazar and attract foreign capital into hotels, resorts, entertainment, hospitality and related tourism services.

However, experts say investment alone will not be enough.

Cox’s Bazar will need better transport connectivity, improved airport facilities, stronger security, cleaner public spaces, reliable services and better destination management to compete with established international tourism destinations.

If the master plan is professionally prepared and properly implemented, the initiative could mark a major shift in Bangladesh’s tourism strategy, moving Cox’s Bazar from a popular domestic beach destination towards a more diversified, investment-driven international tourism economy.