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Why have we failed to promote tourism?

What is the temperature during summer time in SL?

Since it's a tropical island, It does not have Summers per se, Only dry and Rainy seasons

It's warm throughout the year in the coastal areas, 25 - 32 C is the norm.. With maximum temperatures going up to the mid 30's C, In the Central highlands it can go down to single digits from Nov to March

But in the coastal area's it's the humidity that hits you nearly 80 - 90%, Even 30 degrees feels like a bummer but you can always expect showers anytime to cool things off, It gets quite wet

Check out this thread gives you an idea about the island through the perspective of foreign tourists.. Bangladesh tourism may finds some of these things of interest to promote it's own industry

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/sri-lanka-through-outside-eyes.420546/
 
Only way you can become tourist hub is to become like Thailand. Lots of alcohol and cheap hookers. :lol:

Otherwise there are other safer more attractive destinations to visit and I don't mean that in any disrespect. I would much rather holiday somewhere other than Pakistan too.
 
The tourism is surely increased by the locals but not by the foreigners for sure .Bangladesh have lots of problems like bad infrastructure and road ,huge traffic over population, security issues, no casino limited bars and no night life like bangkok or bali. You simply can't bring tourists by only natural beauties. Poverty follows an international tourist from shah jalal airport till where he goes (beggars)..Most of the foreigners come here either for job or business. Bangladesh is one of the lost ranked tourist destination in the world.
WE ‘gloriously' occupied the 125th position among 136 nations of the world in the Tourism Competitive Index 2017 – we have been ranked the worst place to visit in South Asia. India, on the other hand, placed 40 on the list. Even Pakistan, a country noted for violence, social tensions, and intolerance against the West, stands one step ahead of Bangladesh, a matter of shame and concern for us. We Bangladeshis – a self-applauding nation – now have to acknowledge some of our fundamental problems when dealing with foreign visitors. We need to tackle these challenges as soon as possible if we are to enjoy the economic and financial benefits from the tourism sector, which could be a hugely prospective source of income for the country 20 years from now.

Even without reading Rabindranath, Nazrul, Dwijendra Lal or Jibonananda, we know how beautiful our country is. Boating in the Kaptai lake of Rangamati could be one of the exhilarating experiences for anyone in the world. We possess the longest sandy beach in the world, Cox' Bazaar, as well as the largest mangrove in the world, the Sundarbans. Our list of natural wonders in non-exhaustive. Bangladesh has hills, rivers, beaches, forests, and a great tradition of cultural diversity – attributes that should be attractive enough to draw world travellers.

We are actively seeking foreign direct investments (FDIs) yet we can hardly manage slightly over 2 billion dollars, which is one percent of GDP. Tourism already provides for 2.4 percent of our GDP. We can easily turn this to 5 percent, which is still a rather conservative estimate as globally, on average tourism accounts for a higher percentage of countries' GDP. The travel and tourism sector provides over 10 percent of global GDP and ensures 10 percent of world employment. Given our natural treasures and the prospective goldmine of tourism, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, we can reach the global average in 20 years. Reaching half of the global average – 5 percent of our GDP in 10 years – is very feasible. However, the main challenge is to revitalise relevant institutions and correct the bureaucratic mindset if we are to improve tourism in our country.

The government's failure to understand how tourism can be improved lies in the post-independence socialist manner of intervention in tourism. It is a constantly evolving, innovative business where currently, the government's capacity to remain at the cutting edge seems entirely impossible. A nation does not hire bureaucrats, whose main task is to administer the country with the rules and regulations crafted by lawmakers at the Parliament, to cause impediments in potentially profitable sectors like tourism. In the post-independence vacuum, we erroneously pushed the bureaucrats to run mills, factories, and even the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC). Expectedly, the nation spawned a series of failures, as in the case of flop movies where the director seizes the role of the hero in the film. In Southeast Asia, which saw the highest growth in tourism in the last 30 years, the governments mainly provided the mega infrastructure and security. The rest was left to private enterprises that championed a thriving hospitality industry.

Much to our surprise, the government formed a new body to promote tourism, the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), in 2010 – at a time when the private sector should be encouraged and the government's role should be scaled down to justice, security, environment, and mega infrastructure only. Even after existing six years on life-support, the BTB could not hire officials separately. Some employees from BPC and the civil aviation joined this team. They have no data on category-based tourists, nor do they have instant cooperation from other agencies, but they have a big slogan of hope: Bangladesh will be one of the main attractive tourist places of the world! But we do not know when that is supposed to happen.

The government need not maintain so many authorities in the name of promoting tourism. They should be consolidated and should be merged with appropriate institutions like the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

Economists find a positive association between the growth of tourism and FDIs. Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam would never have enjoyed that high level of foreign investments had they not actively helped private enterprises accelerate tourism. In the last two years, Vietnam progressed eight steps up in the tourism index to occupy the 67th position, enabling the economy to draw huge foreign investments in the same time frame. The relationship between tourism and investment is symbiotic and synergic: they feed each other to spur economic growth.

Why did Bangladesh do worse than Pakistan? Under different components of the index, Bangladesh outperformed Pakistan in the counts of safety and security, ground transportation, and natural resources. But in the counts of 'tourist service infrastructure,' India ranks 110, Pakistan 125, and Bangladesh 133, which is the worst in the world index if we ignore Congo, Burundi, and Sierra Leon. And that is the main point as to why our tourism does not flourish.

Dhaka's airport, which recently has been labelled as Asia's ninth worst, is the first point of distress for tourists. Although it failed to be tourist-friendly, it succeeded in being the best mosquito-friendly airport in the world. Bathrooms have an unbearable stench and there are no paper towels there probably to ensure environmental justice? After washing their hands, people are forced to aggressively shake their hands – an exercise that helps blood circulation and muscle building. Passengers avoid any transit in Dhaka to minimise their sufferings. Recently, one comment in the airport quality survey reported the presence of stray cats in Dhaka's airport, indicative of our soft hearts and love for biodiversity. Waiting for the luggage develops the mental faculty of tourists through patience and prayer. The time has come to build a new international airport with a grand view and all modern facilities to boost tourism. Of course, the service staff should be prompt and cordial as they are in the airport of smiles, Bangkok. Tourists fly in search of warmth and recreation – the same way the Siberian birds fly to Jahangirnagar University lakes.

As a resident, I do not believe Dhaka is one of the worst liveable cities in the world, although the index claims as such. But when it comes to traffic, I believe the notoriety is well deserved. A Patalrail (underground train) is no alternative to rescue a dysfunctional Dhaka. The metro rail on the surface (if ever built) will work like a palliative paracetamol for a patient with an appendix pain. Making the entire Chittagong Hill Tracts more tourist-friendly with all amenities is imperative. Creating tourism zones in the style of economic zones will further boost the industry, stimulating economic growth in a Rupashee Bangladesh.


Biru Paksha Paul

The Daily Star

Only way you can become tourist hub is to become like Thailand. Lots of alcohol and cheap hookers. :lol:

Otherwise there are other safer more attractive destinations to visit and I don't mean that in any disrespect. I would much rather holiday somewhere other than Pakistan too.
Very true
 
Not having a diverse landscape(mountain,desert,glacier) in Bangladesh like Pakistan is actually our strength.This is the reason, we are able to support 170 million people in 147,610 square km area.By area, BD is 92th the world and by population, 8th.Gilgit-Baltistan has breath taking scenery,no doubt.But it contain only 1 million people.If Bangladesh's landscape was similar to Gilgit-Baltistan then it would have been a country of only 2 million people!Can you imagine our international position with only 2 million people?

Flat,fertile, deltaic land with ample agriculture and livelihood which make us 8th largest nation in the world.We are happy for getting a country like Bangladesh.It's land is gentle and charming.Green,flat land criss-cross with rivers also has it's charm.
Not having a diverse landscape(mountain,desert,glacier) in Bangladesh like Pakistan is actually our strength.This is the reason, we are able to support 170 million people in 147,610 square km area.By area, BD is 92th the world and by population, 8th.Gilgit-Baltistan has breath taking scenery,no doubt.But it contain only 1 million people.If Bangladesh's landscape was similar to Gilgit-Baltistan then it would have been a country of only 2 million people!Can you imagine our international position with only 2 million people?

Flat,fertile, deltaic land with ample agriculture and livelihood which make us 8th largest nation in the world.We are happy for getting a country like Bangladesh.It's land is gentle and charming.Green,flat land criss-cross with rivers also has it's charm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings

If you look at the top 10 most visited countries France , Spain , Italy , China , USA , UK , Germany , Malaysia , Turkey all have very diverse landscapes . That is why Switzerland despite having one of the best mountain Landscapes or Maldives having the best beaches lag behind in visitor numbers to the countries which are very diverse . Ofcourse other things also come into play when you consider visitor numbers like how easy it is to obtain a visa . For example Australia has less tourists than India but that is because India provides visa on arrival to 180 countries , while for Australia you have to apply for a visa and wait 1/2 months which puts off alot of tourists .

Another thing that might hurt BD is that not alot of people around the world are aware of it . It might be the least well known big country(Population) in the world
 
Who cares about tourism anyways.

If country wants to rise its about manufacturing and services in the economy.

Nominal GDP is important.
 
Promoting tourism is not rocket science.

One needs to ensure that one doesn't mess up tourist areas, like what they did recently in Cox's Bazaar. That is a textbook example of what not to do. It turned into a dense slum of hotels with no sidewalks and narrow roads (much less any proper landscaping). Our habits for lack of planning will never change.

1. No walled off areas for foreign tourists so they can enjoy their vacation in peace and quiet unlike the riff-raff gawkers looking at women and their bikinis.
2. No place for foreigners to have their alcohol.
3. No proper zoning to have foreigners enjoy party atmosphere in safety.

Even in India there are specific properties where locals can't go unless they have a foreign passport or special permission. You either decide to serve foreigners properly (cater to their specific lifestyle) or stop pretending.

Foreigners understand they're coming to a third world country when they come here for tourism. What they get shocked by however is the sheer number of lower class uneducated people pushing and shoving in crowds and people simply staring at them. They don't get that in Thailand. But they do here.

Very few vacationers from first world countries are back-packing adventurer types. They are spending a bunch of money and they simply want to get their money's worth.
WE ‘gloriously' occupied the 125th position among 136 nations of the world in the Tourism Competitive Index 2017 – we have been ranked the worst place to visit in South Asia. India, on the other hand, placed 40 on the list. Even Pakistan, a country noted for violence, social tensions, and intolerance against the West, stands one step ahead of Bangladesh, a matter of shame and concern for us. We Bangladeshis – a self-applauding nation – now have to acknowledge some of our fundamental problems when dealing with foreign visitors. We need to tackle these challenges as soon as possible if we are to enjoy the economic and financial benefits from the tourism sector, which could be a hugely prospective source of income for the country 20 years from now.

Even without reading Rabindranath, Nazrul, Dwijendra Lal or Jibonananda, we know how beautiful our country is. Boating in the Kaptai lake of Rangamati could be one of the exhilarating experiences for anyone in the world. We possess the longest sandy beach in the world, Cox' Bazaar, as well as the largest mangrove in the world, the Sundarbans. Our list of natural wonders in non-exhaustive. Bangladesh has hills, rivers, beaches, forests, and a great tradition of cultural diversity – attributes that should be attractive enough to draw world travellers.

We are actively seeking foreign direct investments (FDIs) yet we can hardly manage slightly over 2 billion dollars, which is one percent of GDP. Tourism already provides for 2.4 percent of our GDP. We can easily turn this to 5 percent, which is still a rather conservative estimate as globally, on average tourism accounts for a higher percentage of countries' GDP. The travel and tourism sector provides over 10 percent of global GDP and ensures 10 percent of world employment. Given our natural treasures and the prospective goldmine of tourism, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, we can reach the global average in 20 years. Reaching half of the global average – 5 percent of our GDP in 10 years – is very feasible. However, the main challenge is to revitalise relevant institutions and correct the bureaucratic mindset if we are to improve tourism in our country.

The government's failure to understand how tourism can be improved lies in the post-independence socialist manner of intervention in tourism. It is a constantly evolving, innovative business where currently, the government's capacity to remain at the cutting edge seems entirely impossible. A nation does not hire bureaucrats, whose main task is to administer the country with the rules and regulations crafted by lawmakers at the Parliament, to cause impediments in potentially profitable sectors like tourism. In the post-independence vacuum, we erroneously pushed the bureaucrats to run mills, factories, and even the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC). Expectedly, the nation spawned a series of failures, as in the case of flop movies where the director seizes the role of the hero in the film. In Southeast Asia, which saw the highest growth in tourism in the last 30 years, the governments mainly provided the mega infrastructure and security. The rest was left to private enterprises that championed a thriving hospitality industry.

Much to our surprise, the government formed a new body to promote tourism, the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), in 2010 – at a time when the private sector should be encouraged and the government's role should be scaled down to justice, security, environment, and mega infrastructure only. Even after existing six years on life-support, the BTB could not hire officials separately. Some employees from BPC and the civil aviation joined this team. They have no data on category-based tourists, nor do they have instant cooperation from other agencies, but they have a big slogan of hope: Bangladesh will be one of the main attractive tourist places of the world! But we do not know when that is supposed to happen.

The government need not maintain so many authorities in the name of promoting tourism. They should be consolidated and should be merged with appropriate institutions like the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

Economists find a positive association between the growth of tourism and FDIs. Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam would never have enjoyed that high level of foreign investments had they not actively helped private enterprises accelerate tourism. In the last two years, Vietnam progressed eight steps up in the tourism index to occupy the 67th position, enabling the economy to draw huge foreign investments in the same time frame. The relationship between tourism and investment is symbiotic and synergic: they feed each other to spur economic growth.

Why did Bangladesh do worse than Pakistan? Under different components of the index, Bangladesh outperformed Pakistan in the counts of safety and security, ground transportation, and natural resources. But in the counts of 'tourist service infrastructure,' India ranks 110, Pakistan 125, and Bangladesh 133, which is the worst in the world index if we ignore Congo, Burundi, and Sierra Leon. And that is the main point as to why our tourism does not flourish.

Dhaka's airport, which recently has been labelled as Asia's ninth worst, is the first point of distress for tourists. Although it failed to be tourist-friendly, it succeeded in being the best mosquito-friendly airport in the world. Bathrooms have an unbearable stench and there are no paper towels there probably to ensure environmental justice? After washing their hands, people are forced to aggressively shake their hands – an exercise that helps blood circulation and muscle building. Passengers avoid any transit in Dhaka to minimise their sufferings. Recently, one comment in the airport quality survey reported the presence of stray cats in Dhaka's airport, indicative of our soft hearts and love for biodiversity. Waiting for the luggage develops the mental faculty of tourists through patience and prayer. The time has come to build a new international airport with a grand view and all modern facilities to boost tourism. Of course, the service staff should be prompt and cordial as they are in the airport of smiles, Bangkok. Tourists fly in search of warmth and recreation – the same way the Siberian birds fly to Jahangirnagar University lakes.

As a resident, I do not believe Dhaka is one of the worst liveable cities in the world, although the index claims as such. But when it comes to traffic, I believe the notoriety is well deserved. A Patalrail (underground train) is no alternative to rescue a dysfunctional Dhaka. The metro rail on the surface (if ever built) will work like a palliative paracetamol for a patient with an appendix pain. Making the entire Chittagong Hill Tracts more tourist-friendly with all amenities is imperative. Creating tourism zones in the style of economic zones will further boost the industry, stimulating economic growth in a Rupashee Bangladesh.


Biru Paksha Paul

The Daily Star

I am surprised to see such state of Bangladeshi Tourism. With amazing culinary culture, rich history and hospitable people I always assumed that tourism in Bangladesh would be thriving. It is good step that people in Bangladesh are concerned about this. Some strategic business ties with countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam etc in promoting tourism would definitely help. And then then some part of Sundarban Marshes are shared by India and Bangladesh. Hopefully that could be a huge tourist attraction as a Tiger conservation.
Hopefully tourism in Bangladesh would improve drastically in next couple of years.

Sri Lanka has been nominated continuously since 2009 as one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world in every plausible travel forum, Magazines and polls

Perhaps you can do some very innovative marketing to attract foreign tourists.. Like this one.. Or may be not.... :D:D:D:D

Mind you it's NQSFW(Mods pls remove if offensive)

@Nilgiri.. What do you think mate ? Time you visit the tropics.. :p:

That is am amazing ad
 
Here are a couple of threads connected to Bangladesh tourism,

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/beautiful-bangladesh.184378/page-66

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/urban-development-in-bangladesh.393850/

Also, I'll post a few images of Dusai Resorts (Eco Resort) below.
There are hundreds of this type of resorts all over Bangladesh and our own local clientele can support them.

01.jpg

97_big.jpg
DuSaiResort_VillaInterior_zpsab1da54f.jpg
1rkdus_duse0001139936453567162_big.jpg
04.jpg
dusai-resorts-spa.jpg
Dusai-Resort--Spa-Banglad-001.jpg
tropical-rainforest-vacation-104-dusai-resort-spa-5-star-boutique-resort-breakfast-wifi.jpg


Bhawal Resort,Gazipur,Central Bangladesh

13737622_672782929554487_3441792173395725533_o_zpsxrapowy4.jpg


13738324_672782916221155_8531358126657847026_o_zpsam8pz7n9.jpg


13735687_672782909554489_6606443888158661522_o_zpsw8sqnvrz.jpg


13669268_672782876221159_6006916906524413112_o_zpsskpe9sor.jpg


Sairu Resort,Bandarban,Eastern Bangladesh

sairu5_zpsgbwhizy8.jpg


sari_zpsgikery4t.png


sairufff_zpsvlqemzdi.jpg


saiurrs_zpsfcxtciw9.jpg


sairruu_zpsl2ir32z9.jpg
dsad_zpsh091hxk2.png
 
I did visit Dhaka a while ago for a very short period and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. People were very nice and hospitable, professors I met very knowledgeable, and there was a lot of pride in their own culture. In retrospect, I have no negatives that I experienced in dhaka, food was incredible. All the ingredients for great prospects in tourism are already there. I hope to see great future for tourism in your country.
Here are a couple of threads connected to Bangladesh tourism,

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/beautiful-bangladesh.184378/page-66

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/urban-development-in-bangladesh.393850/

Also, I'll post a few images of Dusai Resorts (Eco Resort) below.
There are hundreds of this type of resorts all over Bangladesh and our own local clientele can support them.

01.jpg

97_big.jpg
DuSaiResort_VillaInterior_zpsab1da54f.jpg
1rkdus_duse0001139936453567162_big.jpg
04.jpg
dusai-resorts-spa.jpg
Dusai-Resort--Spa-Banglad-001.jpg
tropical-rainforest-vacation-104-dusai-resort-spa-5-star-boutique-resort-breakfast-wifi.jpg


Bhawal Resort,Gazipur,Central Bangladesh

13737622_672782929554487_3441792173395725533_o_zpsxrapowy4.jpg


13738324_672782916221155_8531358126657847026_o_zpsam8pz7n9.jpg


13735687_672782909554489_6606443888158661522_o_zpsw8sqnvrz.jpg


13669268_672782876221159_6006916906524413112_o_zpsskpe9sor.jpg


Sairu Resort,Bandarban,Eastern Bangladesh

sairu5_zpsgbwhizy8.jpg


sari_zpsgikery4t.png


sairufff_zpsvlqemzdi.jpg


saiurrs_zpsfcxtciw9.jpg


sairruu_zpsl2ir32z9.jpg
dsad_zpsh091hxk2.png
 
Here are a couple of threads connected to Bangladesh tourism,

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/beautiful-bangladesh.184378/page-66

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/urban-development-in-bangladesh.393850/

Also, I'll post a few images of Dusai Resorts (Eco Resort) below.
There are hundreds of this type of resorts all over Bangladesh and our own local clientele can support them.

01.jpg

97_big.jpg
DuSaiResort_VillaInterior_zpsab1da54f.jpg
1rkdus_duse0001139936453567162_big.jpg
04.jpg
dusai-resorts-spa.jpg
Dusai-Resort--Spa-Banglad-001.jpg
tropical-rainforest-vacation-104-dusai-resort-spa-5-star-boutique-resort-breakfast-wifi.jpg


Bhawal Resort,Gazipur,Central Bangladesh

13737622_672782929554487_3441792173395725533_o_zpsxrapowy4.jpg


13738324_672782916221155_8531358126657847026_o_zpsam8pz7n9.jpg


13735687_672782909554489_6606443888158661522_o_zpsw8sqnvrz.jpg


13669268_672782876221159_6006916906524413112_o_zpsskpe9sor.jpg


Sairu Resort,Bandarban,Eastern Bangladesh

sairu5_zpsgbwhizy8.jpg


sari_zpsgikery4t.png


sairufff_zpsvlqemzdi.jpg


saiurrs_zpsfcxtciw9.jpg


sairruu_zpsl2ir32z9.jpg
dsad_zpsh091hxk2.png
This is absolutely beautiful.Thanks @Bilal9 bhai for sharing these picture.:cheers:We need to promote these location in media more often.Many people think,we don't have any beautiful place or resort.
 
In this issue I am really proud though. Man Mumbai airport was full of foreigners and that e-visa forms had gotten over and tourists were waiting for new forms to be bought in. So much western traffic. :D

But India needs to start taking stocks of tourists locations around the country and promote it aggressively. Its not enough. Our population still needs employment.
 
learn the art of tourism for UAE. 30 years ago they had nothing to offer except sand and look at them now.

Actually people throng Dubai because nobody cares if you are are wearing a bikini or a burqa; everyone from any country in the world feels at home there otherwise UAE is still sand outside Dubai
 
In this issue I am really proud though. Man Mumbai airport was full of foreigners and that e-visa forms had gotten over and tourists were waiting for new forms to be bought in. So much western traffic. :D

But India needs to start taking stocks of tourists locations around the country and promote it aggressively. Its not enough. Our population still needs employment.

Agreed. 9 million tourists is not enough (though world bank is reporting our arrivals as high as 13 million now)....we can easily be getting more than 20 even 30 million....the increase may not have the same per capita spending as the current folk (25 billion USD which compares favourably with countries that get way more arrivals)....but still well enough to create more employment (permanent and seasonal).

Domestic tourism is increasing at healthy clip as well (on much bigger base), so there is much cross-over and multiplier effect (spending to improve one, helps the other etc).
 

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