Bangladesh, a land of tourism

AS a tourism destination, Bangladesh is truly hard to beat. Bangladesh definitely offers a lot to see enjoy and do. Bangladesh means a 'country where Bangla is spoken'. One of the most beautiful countries in South Asia, Bangladesh has tremendous economic potential. Its tropical beach resorts on the Bay of Bengal should be paradise for the sun vacationers.

The splendour of its six seasons, the world's longest natural beach at Cox's Bazaar, the cloud forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the country's rich flora and fauna fascinate tourists. The Saint Martins' offers excellent scuba diving opportunities. Tea and mango plantations of the country can attract tourists. The historic city of Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong have tourist value.

ernier, the French traveler aptly wrote in the seventeenth century, that Bangladesh "has a hundred gates open for entrance but not one for departure."

For the development of its tourism industry, Bangladesh has taken some commendable initiatives including for the creation of tourist accommodation and amusement facilities. The Bangladesh government recognises tourism as an industry. Bangladesh adopted its a National Tourism Policy in 1992 for the development of domestic and international tourism. It underlines a tourism marketing policy and human resource development. The Industrial Policy of 2005 recognises tourism as a thrust sector. The government has taken a plan to develop Cox's Bazaar, Sundarbans and Kuakata as Special Tourist Zones (STZ). Foreign investment in these STZs are welcome.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), the national tourism organisation was established in November 1972. As the national tourism organisation, its foremost objectives are to promote tourism in Bangladesh, project a positive image of the country abroad and develop tourism infrastructure. The BPC is working to create more infrastructural facilities to cater to the growing demand of tourists. It is contemplating to establish the more tourist facilities in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet and the Sundarbans.

The government is committed to support private sector efforts for the development of tourism in Bangladesh.

To encourage the private entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, it has taken the initiative to lease out some of the outlets of the national tourism organisation to private management. Bangladesh welcomes foreign investment in the sector under both joint venture and 100 per cent foreign ownership. To encourage domestic and foreign investment, the government offers various incentives.

Bangladesh should be projected as a land of tourism. There is so much to see and do in Bangladesh that many visitors return to see what they might have missed before. Bangladesh is getting popular as a tourist destination.