The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha Bin Habib

Bureaucratic efficiency, proper training to manpower, formulation of comprehensive strategic plan and necessary campaign could significantly attract tourists which in turn would spur the country's economy.

The was stated by travel experts and those associated with the country's tourism industry in course of talks with the New Nation.

They regretted that no government in the past gave any serious attention to the promotion of this vital sector, which has great potential of earning huge foreign exchange and generating employment opportunities on a large scale.

They called upon the government to support the tourism sector by providing security and ensuring conducive environment for tourists.

Raqib Siddique, a travel operator said every year this sector is yielding substantial revenue to the state exchequer, but development of tourism industry always went by default in the past.

He pointed out that though the National Tourism Council was constituted in 1992, nothing has been to activate it and it exists in name only.

Hasan Mansur, who is associated with the tourism industry, said our national carrier Bangladesh Biman could play a key role in attracting overseas tourists by offering tourism package at cheaper rate and other facilities within the country.

Some tour operators said the tourism sector of the country has started picking up and they want the government to play as a facilitator by building infrastructures and developing communication.

About 2 lakh and 70 thousand people visited Bangladesh last year, According to World Tourism Organisation (WTO). Except Bhutan Bangladesh lacks behind all the SAARC countries.

Special Assistant to Chief Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Jamil said the caretaker government has initiated an effort to create a new National Tourism Organisation (NTO) with a view to putting tourism on the right track and kick start its development.

When asked a high official of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) said the national tourism organisation has taken different measures to catch up more foreign tourists in the country.

Coordination between public and private organisations, proper planning, allocation of more funds, implementation of National Tourism Policies, encouraging private sector initiatives, improving law and order, right projection of the country and maintaining flexibility in issuing visa and regular exchange of knowledge and information with other countries could ensure sustainable development of tourism sector in the country.