Domestic tourism sees brighter future

For the last two decades, I have been working in the aviation and tourism industry at home and abroad, especially in Dubai. From my experience, I strongly believe Bangladesh holds the prospects to be an attractive tourism destination in Asia if we plan properly and promote our strengths to the world.

A number of countries, which are now global tourism hubs, were not in this position 20 years ago. Countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and even the United Arab Emirates gradually developed their aviation and tourism sectors through proper planning, policy support and international promotion.

I still remember when I first went to Dubai in the late 1990s. At that time, there was very little infrastructure outside the airport area. Today, Dubai earns a major share of its GDP from aviation and tourism. Oil is no longer the only driving force of its economy.

As for Bangladesh, it also has extraordinary natural beauty and tourism resources. We have the world’s longest sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, the scenic beach of Kuakata, the hills of Bandarban and Sajek, the Sundarbans mangrove forest, and the tea gardens of Sylhet.

Very few countries have such diversity within a small geographical area. Yet, unfortunately, we have not yet been able to present these attractions properly to the international community.

At present, aviation and tourism contribute less than one percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In my opinion, this contribution can rise significantly if we work together with a clear vision and proper coordination between the government and private sector.

Tourism development does not always require huge investment. Sometimes small but practical improvements create the biggest impact.

The first thing our foreign guests and tourists seek is security. The second is smooth communication and transportation. If tourists feel safe and comfortable, they will return again and also recommend Bangladesh to others.

We also need world-class roadside facilities on highways leading to major tourism destinations. Tourists travelling to Cox’s Bazar, Kuakata or Bandarban should have access to clean washrooms, quality restaurants, coffee shops and comfortable rest areas along the way.

These facilities may sound simple, but globally they play a huge role in tourism satisfaction.

We should involve private businesses, hotel brands and restaurant chains in building these facilities through public-private cooperation. Cleanliness, hygiene and hospitality must become part of our tourism culture.

Digital promotion is also extremely important today. Tourists love to share experiences online. If we create attractive tourist spots, selfie zones and modern visitor facilities, social media itself will become a powerful marketing tool for Bangladesh.

This vision is one of the reasons why we launched the English-language tabloid ‘Aviation & Tourism Times. Our goal is to promote the domestic aviatourism sector to the outside world so that foreign tourists, embassies, investors and international stakeholders can better understand our enormous potential.

Bangladesh does not lack beauty. What we need is planning, promotion and a long-term commitment to the sector. I believe tourism can become one of the strongest economic pillars of Bangladesh in the future if we start working seriously from now.