The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

The number of tourists visiting Bangladesh may exceed 13 lakh by 2020, if proper tourism infrastructure is built here, attractive tourism products are developed, and vigorous marketing is launched.

At the same time, eradicating the prevailing mismanagement in the country's aviation sector, and instilling the culture of true professionalism to boost its continuous growth must also be ensured.

These were observed at a meeting, organised by Switzerland-Bangladesh Business Forum (SBBF) on "problems and future of tourism and aviation in Bangladesh", in the city on Saturday.

Josef Guntern, head of cooperation of the Embassy of Switzerland in Dhaka, was present in the programme as the chief guest. Kazi Wahidul Alam, editor of the Bangladesh Monitor, was the keynote speaker of the meeting.

In his speech Guntern said there is a greater scope of sharing and cooperation between Bangladesh and Switzerland in the field of tourism. "Switzerland with its 150-years-old rich tourism industry can share its experience, knowledge and skill to aid Bangladesh in developing the sector," he said.

Guntern also emphasised the need of investment, entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, developing proper channel of information, and employing a strong expertise base in the sector for boosting its potentiality.

While tourism is a major source of earning foreign currency for most of the countries in the present world, the number of international tourists visiting Bangladesh along with the level of tourist expenditures are quite low until now, Wahid said.

He also pointed at the prevailing negative image of the country abroad, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of support from the government as the main hurdles to develop the sector.

"The country registered a total of 2,71,270 visitors, the highest number in its history, back in 2004. However, the number stood at 1,73,749 in 2007," he said.

"Simultaneously, all the areas of aviation sector have registered growth between 1990 and 2007," he observed. Passenger traffic posted an average annual growth of 9.81 per cent, while cargo traffic registered 28.74 per cent, he informed.

"Zia International Airport has also gone through a number of important refurbishments in the recent years. But with a fleet size of one or two aircrafts, most of the private airlines are yet to be on solid foundation, and lack of professionalism is also apparent in their management," he opined.

SBBF President Ashfaque ur Rahman and Vice-President Saiful Islam also addressed on the occasion.