The New Nation - Internet Edition

AS appeared recently in the media, the council of advisers of the interim government is likely to approve 'a tourism-friendly policy' with the expectation that it will usher in a new era for the tourism industry. The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) will be split into 'Bangladesh Tourism Board' and 'Bangladesh Tourism Department'. For this, a draft of Bangladesh Parjatan Ordinance-2008 has already been sent for vetting. The council of advisers is expected to approve the policy draft some time this month as the government has been working to move the tourism industry ahead on the basis of public-public partnership. The proposed tourism board, as prescribed in the draft, will be an autonomous body with the authority to take and implement decisions.

To ensure private partnership, according to the new provision, five directors out of 10, would come from the private sector. Under the new policy, an exclusive tourist zone would be set up like the export processing zone. Proper arrangements for entertaining the tourists, particularly foreign tourists, would have to be ensured consistent with traditional cultural values. Besides, the authorities are considering introduction of special tourist-police to ensure security of the tourists. Under the new policy, the tourism board could make any agreement on earning, selling and leasing movable and immovable property.

After approval of the said policy, the tourism department would work as a regulatory body besides looking into maintenance of set standards and doing registration. Civil aviation and tourism ministry besides other ministries like communications and cultural affairs will be involved in the expansion of tourism. A beach committee would be formed, according to the new policy, for modernisation and safety of country's beaches at Cox's Bazar and Kuakata apart from developing transport and accommodation as preferred by tourists.