27.05.2023
Taslim Ahammad
Prospects and Challenges of Tourism and Hospitality in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country with a rich cultural heritage, diverse natural beauty. Despite its potential, the tourism and hospitality industry in Bangladesh has not been fully exploited. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in government and private sector investments in this sector, indicating a bright prospect for tourism and hospitality industry in Bangladesh.
Tourism refers to the activities of people traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes. It includes a wide range of activities such as visiting historical sites, attending cultural events, enjoying natural landscapes, and experiencing new cuisines. The tourism industry includes a wide range of businesses such as hotels, airlines, tour operators, restaurants, and souvenir shops and among others. Hospitality, on the other hand, refers to the provision of services and facilities to travellers during their stay. It includes services such as accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, and entertainment. The hospitality industry includes a wide range of businesses such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and other establishments that offer services to the travellers.
Together tourism and hospitality are essential components of the travel industry and are closely related. The hospitality industry is responsible for providing services and amenities to travellers during their stay, while the tourism industry focuses on attracting visitors to destinations and promoting the unique features and experiences that a place has to offer. Equally industries work together to provide a positive and memorable experience for visitors, which can lead to repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth recommendations, contributing to the sustainable growth of the tourism and hospitality industry.
The tourism industry in Bangladesh includes a range of businesses such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour operators, and transportation companies. These businesses provide various services and amenities to visitors to ensure that they have a pleasant and memorable experience while in the country. The hospitality industry in Bangladesh is responsible for providing services and amenities to visitors during their stay. This includes accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, and entertainment. Many hotels and resorts in Bangladesh offer world-class services and amenities, while restaurants and cafes offer traditional and international cuisines to travellers.
One of the major attractions of Bangladesh is its superb natural beauty. With the world’s largest delta, the country boasts of a vast network of rivers, mangrove forests, and beaches. The Cox’s Bazar sea beach, the longest unbroken sea beach in the world, is a prime attraction for both domestic and international tourists. The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also a major draw for eco-tourism. Kuakata, it is known as “Sagor Konya” (Daughter of Sea) is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Also, Kuakata is one of the rarest places to see the full view of both sunrise and sunset from the same place or same position. Besides, the country’s cultural and historical heritage, including the ancient Buddhist ruins in Paharpur and the Mughal architecture in Dhaka and Ahsan Manzil, offer unique experiences for tourists and a lot of other tourist attractions.
Bangladesh government has recognized the importance of tourism as a potential source of foreign exchange earnings and has taken several initiatives to promote the sector. In 2010, the government declared tourism as a priority sector and established a tourism board to oversee the development of the industry. The government has also introduced various incentives for investors, such as tax holidays and duty-free imports of capital machinery. Simultaneously, the private sector has also shown interest in developing the tourism and hospitality industry in Bangladesh. Major hotel chains such as Marriott, Westin, and Radisson have already entered the market, with more hotels and resorts being built across the country. These developments are not only creating job opportunities but also contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.
One of the significant challenges that the industry faces is the lack of infrastructure. There are limited quality hotels and restaurants in Bangladesh, and those that exists often lack essential amenities such as reliable electricity and clean water. In addition, the transportation infrastructure is also inadequate, which can create a negative impression on visitors and hamper the industry’s growth.
Another significant challenge facing the tourism and hospitality industry in Bangladesh is security concerns. This perception of insecurity can have a significant impact on the industry’s growth, as visitors may choose to go to other destinations perceived as safer.
Limited marketing and promotion of the country’s tourism potential is also a challenge for the industry. Bangladesh’s tourism industry is still in its early stages of development, and as a result, there is limited marketing and promotion of the country’s tourism offerings.
Cultural barriers can also present challenges for visitors to Bangladesh. As a predominantly Muslim country, there are dress codes, religious customs, and dietary restrictions that visitors may not be familiar with, making them uncomfortable.
Environmental concerns are another challenge facing the tourism and hospitality industry in Bangladesh. Overdevelopment of natural areas, inadequate waste management, and pollution can all damage the environment and reduce the appeal of Bangladesh as a tourism destination.
Finally, human resource development is a significant challenge facing the industry. Many hotels and tourism-related businesses struggle to find qualified staff with the necessary skills and experience to provide quality service to guests. Training and development programs are needed to improve the skills of the existing workforce and attract new talent to the industry.
To overcome these challenges, the government and private sector must work together to address these issues and promote the country’s tourism potential. The development of infrastructure, improvement of security, promotion of the country’s attractions, and education of visitors about cultural customs, sustainable development practices, and investment in human resource development are essential for the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in Bangladesh.
In conclusion, tourism and hospitality have the potential to be a significant contributor to Bangladesh’s economy. With the government’s focus on promoting the sector and the private sector’s investments, the industry is poised for growth. However, it is essential to address the challenges and work together to create a safe and welcoming environment for tourists. By addressing these challenges, Bangladesh can develop a thriving tourism and hospitality industry that can contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.
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Taslim Ahammad
Assistant Professor
Department of Management Studies
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh