Introduction

Tourism is one of the most promising sectors for Bangladesh with her huge

natural beauty, heroic historical background and archaeological resources.

The Contribution of this sector is significant to total GDP of Bangladesh. It

has served the objectives of assessing different aspects of tourism with

point to point.

Tourism

Tourism is the economic activity generated by visitors travelling to and

staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business and

other purposes. Tourism products are the events, exhibitions, guest services

and attractions that drive tourism demand, and the transport, food services

and accommodation that supply visitors.

Bangladesh offers tourist a variety of attractions in almost every part of the

country., these are Cox’s Bazar, Saint Martin Island, Kaptai Lake, Buddish

Temple at Rangamati, kuakata, Khulna, khutibari, Natore, Paharpur,

Sundarban etc.

All of these tourists are very much interest in Cox’s bazaar, Saint martin

Island.

But unfortunately Bangladesh has not made enough efforts to preserve and

develop its tourism in these two famous sites.

Below I am providing some picture of tourist spot in Bangladesh.

Fig 1: Cox’s Bazar

Fig 2: Saint Martins Island

Fig 3: Rangamati

Fig 4: Moynamoti

Tourism is one many activities in a community or region that requires

planning and coordination. This research provides a simple structure and

guidelines for comprehensive tourism planning for improvement of local

community of Cox’s Bazar.

There are mainly two types of planning:

a) Short Range

1-4 years

b) Long Range

5-10 years or longer

Here I am representing a short range comprehensive planning for

development of my selected destination Cox’s Bazar.

Before we go to the brief discussion we have to know some definition:

Planning

The process of setting goal, developing strategies and outlining tasks and

schedules to accomplish the goals.

It is a multidimensional activity and seeks to be integrative which embraces

social, economic, political and technological factors. It is concerned with the

past present and future.

In the broadest definition planning is organizing the future to achieve the

set of objective.

There are different types of planning. The major types of planning are given

below:

a) Economic development planning

b) Physical land using plan

c) Infrastructure planning

d) Social facility planning

e) Park and conservation planning

f) Corporate Planning

g) Urban and regional Planning

Background Information:

Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells,

colorful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea food this is all

about Cox,s bazaar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh. Having the world’s

longest (120 k.m) beach sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay

of Bengal, Cox’s Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spot in the

country.

Located at a distance of 152 Km, south of Chittagong, the leading sea port

of Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar is connected both air and road from Dhaka and

Chittagong.

Other attraction for visitors are conch shell market, tribal handicraft, salt

and prawn cultivation.

The Cox’s bazaar consists of Himchari, Inani, Maheshkhali, Ramu, Sonadia

Island, Teknaf.

Now at a glance I am representing the spot and services that includes in the

Cox’s bazaar tourism.

Developing Tourism in Bangladesh: Some Strategic Views

Tourism is the world’s largest industry. In Bangladesh the following things should be examined

carefully improve the tourism condition:

1. Ensuring Clean and Safe Environment: No one wants to visit a place that is not clean or

unhealthy. Tourism cannot survive without a clean and safe environment. In a like manner,

communities that do not provide pleasant surroundings and a clean environment have a very

hard time attracting business.

2. Having friendly people and good service: Tourism requires friendly people and good

service. No matter what the attraction may be, a tourism centre that lacks good customer service

and friendly people will fail. In the same way, communities that offer poor service not only do not

attract newcomers, but, in the end, have a difficult time holding on to their local population, young

people and businesses.

3. Good restaurants, hospitals and recreational facilities: Tourism requires good restaurants,

hotels and recreational facilities. These are the same factors that are essential to any community

seeking economic development.

4. Enhancing community-based tourism: Bangladesh can be an ideal destination

for community-based tourism. For sustainable progress in poverty eradication, the present time is

suitable for considering the implementation of community-based tourism. Bangladesh is a country

of thousands of villages. Most of its heritage sites and international tourist spots are positioned

around villages. These are intended for education as well as recreation.

5. Tourism campaigns on Special Attractions: Sometimes rare plants or animal species are

the main attraction, sometimes traditional food, handicraft or historic buildings. A European

example of well-developed rural tourism is France. Camping and caravans are the most popular

forms of accommodation in rural areas, many of them on farms. Many farmers have developed

camping sites on their farms.

6. Enhancing community-based rural tourism: Bangladesh has huge potential for tourism. The

concept of community-based rural tourism and its benefits are still unexplored. Now is the right

time to think of rural tourism development. Apart from rural tourism, all general attractions, like

archaeological sites, historical places and natural beaches are, more or less, getting importance.

Rural tourism can turn into a booming sector for at least two reasons. First, through rural tourism,

Bangladesh may rid itself of poverty, and second, the infrastructure of far-off and rural places will

be developed. Community-based rural tourism is a must for the economic development of

Bangladesh.

7. Taking Enhancing community-based tourism as a must: The government and community

leaders may also want to take into account that tourism adds prestige to a community. People

like to live in a place that others consider worthy of visiting. Such pride in one’s nationality or

community can become an important tool for developing the economy.

8. Community Association & Tourism: People sell their community’s best when there is agree

at deal to see and do in it, when it is safe and secure, and when customer service is not merely a

motto but a way of life. Community festivals, traditions, handicrafts, parks and natural settings all

add to the desirability of a locale and its ability to sell itself to potential outside investors. The

quality of life can also be reflected in a community’s museums, concert halls, theatres and

uniqueness.

9. Tourism focusing on emerging and minority communities: Tourism is an important

economic development tool for emerging and minority communities around the world. Since

tourism is based on the appreciation of other cultures, tourism industries have been especially

open to giving disadvantaged groups around the world opportunities that have often been denied

to them by other economic sectors.

10. Employment Generation: Tourism requires a great deal of construction work and provides

large numbers of entry-level jobs. Tourists may infuse additional money into the local economy

through shopping. In nations where manufacturing is not developed, the tourism industry can be

an essential method for reinvigorating local economies.

11. Infrastructure Development: Improving the infrastructure, human resources, proper policy

and concerns of government can easily hold the industry back into the right track and thus

Tourism can become the engine of poverty alleviation and economic growth

12. Focus on innovations: Focus should be made on innovations like eco-tourism. The number

of eco-tourists in the world has been increasing by more than ten percent a year. Initially,

Bangladesh may set its target to attract one million eco-tourists a year. To achieve that target, it

will have to chalk out a down-to-earth tourism marketing strategy and go for aggressive marketing

in countries, which produce most of the outbound tourists.

13. Tourism Fairs: Nowadays different organizations often organize tourism fairs in Bangladesh,

in which mainly outbound tour packages are sold. Sending tourists from Bangladesh to other

countries cannot be treated as the development of tourism in our country. These fairs are sellers’

fairs in character from the perspective of Bangladesh because the foreign exhibitors or their

counterparts in Bangladesh sell outbound tour packages, and only a few offer domestic tour

packages.

Social Impacts:

1. Conservative, superstitious and illiterate society is modernizing

with positivism.

2. Literacy rate and academic institutions are increasing day by day

in the area.

3. Modern ideas, values and behavior are being introduced in the

local community.

4. Living standard of the local community has increased.

5. Social instability / disparity is evident for taking tourism benefits in

the area.

6. Crime (drug addiction, child and woman trafficking, hotel - killing

has increased.

7. Number of vehicles has increased and causes traffic congestion.

8. Government land (Khas land) is being occupied for tourism

facilities.

Cultural Impacts:

1. Cultural exchange between host community and tourists from home

and abroad.

2. Changes in conservativeness, clothing and language in the local

community.

3. Cultural programmes (Music, poemrecitation, 31st night etc) are

held in a festive mood on the beach and cultural centre by the

performers from local and Dhaka.

4. Every community including Rakhain, Muslims, Hindus and the

Buddhists are observing their rituals and trying to keep it intact. It’s

a good example of communal harmony.

5. Traditional culture / life style is fading.

6. Openness of tourist is breaking the traditional conservativeness.

7. Rakhain community is becoming smaller in their numbers.

Economic Impact:

1. Money circulation is going on in local economy. So economic

activities increases.

2. Employment opportunity/ job creation for local community has

increased.

3. Government is getting revenue.

4. Investment has increased manifolds in Cox’s Bazar.

5. Price-hike of the essentials and local community is suffering much.

6. Income-generating activities are increasing. Income and financial

capacity is risings.

7. Non-locals control tourism in Cox’s Bazar and locals are not

preferred for jobs.

8. Seasonality of jobs- during off-season the large number of local

staffs loses jobs.

Environmental Impacts:

1. No or weak drainage system and sewage and wastes are

drained to the sea beach.

2. Forests are cleared for living and tourism enterprises.

3. Hill cutting is common and uncontrollable and thus possibility

of landslides.

4. Rohynga refugees are a menace for the visitors.

Natural Resources:

The annual average temperature in Cox's Bazar is 34.8 °C and a minimum

of 16.1 °C. The climate remains hot and humid with some seasons of

temperate weather. The average amount of rainfall is 4285 nm.

Laboni beach is regarded as the main beach area of Cox's Bazar as is at the

central location and close to town. The beach is always crowded by tourists.

Visitors can sunbathe, surf, jog, cycle, and swim. It is best for swimming

and relaxation. Numerous memento shops around the area can attract

tourist to buy the souvenirs, beach accessories and some other stuffs.

Inani beach is famous for its golden sand. The pretty beach attracts most of

the tourist who appreciate warmly the wonders of nature. Tourists like to

come here for relaxing as it is free from the crowd of visitors who are

usually seen at the Laboni beach. The beach is usually thought about to be

the world's longest beach.

The amazing waterfall of Himchari is a very rare scene to enjoy. The

waterfall from the green hill is comparatively strange to look at. However,

in the winter it dwindles whereas in the rainy season it is amazing & full

waterfall could be enjoyed. The spot is ideal for picnic, shooting, relaxing &

sunbathing. But every time you have sunbathing locals can rush around you

as Bangladeshi's are not used to see ladies in swim costume. Here you get

pretty hilltop resort center where you can stay for relaxing & can listen to

the shore of the Bay of Bengal.

Himachari National park is a pretty tropical rain forest (evergreen & semi-

ever-green) around the South Asia. The park was established in 1980. This

place is maintained, protected and secured by the government for the

foreign tourists and the local visitors. The Park is not only beautiful for the

tourists it is also beautiful for the biologist. The park is also regarded as a

paradise of birdwatcher. Lots of bird watchers are gathered here for the

seeing the different kinds of birds, as over 286 species of birds found there.

Additionally, 55 species of mammals, 56 species of reptiles and 13 species

of amphibians are present in the evergreen forest. A little number of

elephants and leopard also found here. The US administration already made

an agreement with Bangladesh government to induct tigers in to the forest

areas.

Here some pictures of natural resources of Cox’s Bazar:

Fig: Natural Resources of Cox Bazar

Wild life: Elephant, Tigers, Capped Langur, Gibbon, Rhesus Macaque, Dhole,

Sloth Bear, Hirundo Rustica, Indian Muntjac, Wild Boar, Cypsiurrus Parvus

Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, & Acridotheres.

Adventure: Picnic, Shooting & Bird safari

Attraction:

1. Backdrop of lush green hills rising up on the east.

2. The sea stretching out endlessly to the west.

3. Fringed with tall palm trees swaying gently in the breeze.

4. Seashells of different colors, shapes, & sizes are found along here.

5. Beach combing.

6. Shark free water is suitable for sea bathing.

Cultural Resources:

Cultural resources mean elements or areas of the natural landscape which

have traditional cultural significances.

It is very important in tourism sector. If we are able to use these resources

properly then we can be benefited in many ways.

Ramu is a typical Buddhist village, about 16 km. from Cox's Bazar, on the

main road to Chittagong. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas

containing images of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inilaid with

precious stones.

One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali

river. It houses not only interesting relics and Burmes handicrafts but also a

large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a

six feet high pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very delicate and

refined.

Fig: Ramu Buddha Mandir

Elevation and decoration is the Aggameda Khyang near the entrance to the

Cox's Bazar town which nestles at the foot of a hill under heavy cover of a

stand of large trees. The main sanctuary-cum-monastery is carried on a

series of round timber columns, which apart from accommodating the

prayer chamber and an assembly hall, also is the repository of a large of

small bronze Buddha images-mostly of Burmese origin-- and some old

manuscripts. 

Tribal Culture of Chittagong Hills:

Chakmas are found in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. They are also

found in North east India. The Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in

Chittagong Hill Tracts. They are Buddhist in religion. They have their own

language which is Chakma Language. The language is closely related to

Bengali. The Chakmas are a people with their own culture, folklore,

literature and traditions. The Chakma women wear an ankle length cloth

around the waist which is a called Finon and a Hadi, wrapped above the

waist as well as silver ornaments. Bizu is the main festival of The Chakmas.

Its a three days long festival & public holiday in Chittagong hill tracks.

The Tripuras are another large ethnic group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

region. At present they live in CHT, especially in Ramgarh and

Khagrachhari. It is also believed that Tripuras currently living in

Bangladesh originally came from the Indian state of Tripura. The number of

Tripuras in Chittagong Hill Tracts areas was close to 80,000 in 1991, and it

has no doubt increased considerably by this time.The Rakhain, belonging to

the Bhotbarmi community of the Mongoloids, came from the land Rakhain

Pre, which is now known as Arakan in Myanmar. The word Rakhain

originates from the word Rakshan, which means the people who preserve

and safeguard their heritage and culture. Murongs are one of the famous

tribes of aborigines of Arakan and two Murong Kings ruled Arakan in the

tenth century AD. Murongs live in Lama, Ruma, Alikadam and Thanchi

upazilas near Chimbuk Mountain of Bandarban district. They speak in their

own Mru Language.The Marmas are the second largest ethnic minority in

Bangladesh. Most Marmas live in the three hill districts of Rangamati,

Bandarban and Khagrachari. Some Marmas, however, live in the coastal

districts of Coxs Bazar.

Marketing analysis: Successful tourism program require a strong

market orientation. The needs and wants of the tourists for choosing to

attract and serve must be the focus of marketing and development activity.

When someone go on summer vacation and spend days shopping in antique

stores, hiking in a national park, eating local food and taking in a musical at

the amphitheater, you are being a tourist. Tourism occurs when you leave

your normal surroundings where you live and work to go to another

environment to engage in activities there, regardless of how close or how

far it is. You are a visitor, and what you do while visiting is tourism.

Individuals and organizations at destination promoted those activities

through advertising or other forms of marketing.

Market segments for my selected destination are given below. We have

different type of segmentation for Cox’s bazar. For betterment or producing

better tourism product we have to give full consideration in following

segmentation.

1. Geographic market areas

2. Trip categories

a) Day trips:

. If within 50 miles then it short trip and up to 200 miles we can

considers long trip.

b) Pass through Traffic

. Day visitors and overnight stays.

c) Overnight trips:

. Weekend and vacation

3. Activity or trip purpose:

a) Outdoor recreation

- Boating: sail, power, cruise,row canoe

-Swimming: pool,beach, sunbathing, scuba

-Fishing: Charter,sport, from pier, boat, shore,ice

b)Land Based activity

-Camping: backpacking, primitive, developed.

- Hiking: climbing,beachcombing,spelunking

- Hunting

-Skiing:downhill,crosscountry

-Snowmobiling

-Bicycling

c)Air-based activity: rides, hang gliding, ballooning, parachuting

d) General:

-Nature Study

- Photography or landscape

- Viewing natural scenery

e) Other primary Purposes for trip: Visiting friends and relatives

and convention & Business/pleasure.

There are different types of way for promotion our tourism product. We can

use our national celebrities for promoting Cos’s bazaar. Like we can use

Shakib Al Hasan who is number 1 all-rounder in the world. We can use him

for promoting Cox’s bazaar.

We can also use Coxsbazar stadium for promoting our destination. More

cricket matches can be arranged.

Fig: Cox’s Bazar Cricket Stadium

GOALS:

Obtaining clear statements of goals is difficult but important. Ideally,

tourism development goals should flow from general community goals.

The goals for my selected destination are given below:

1. Enhanced visitor satisfaction: The worth of the planned developments

judged by the visitor.

2. Better Business and improved economy: Strengths many areas of the

economy.

3. Sustainable resource use: The trend encourages greater energy

conservation recycling of waste.

4. Community Integration: An important goal of tourism planning is to

integrate all tourism development into the social and economy life of a

community.

Objectives:

Objectives are like Sergeants. They take their directions from Generals

(goals). Each objective exists solely in support of the goal.

The main objectives of fulfilling my goals are:

1. Make a strong economic base so that everybody of the local

community get benefitted.

2. Build strong infrastructure.

3. Creating Better jobs.

4. Obtain economy with a managed increase new visitor.

Build a strong infrastructure is very much needed to obtain the goal.

Tourism infrastructure is the supply chain of transport, social and

environmental infrastructure collaborating at a regional level to create a

destination

Transport infrastructure which provides visitor access from international

and domestic source markets to destinations; and includes airports, major

roads and rail.

Social infrastructures which is the stock of rooms to accommodate visitors

and physical structures for exhibitions, events and services that attract

visitors. This infrastructure includes hotels, convention centres, stadiums,

galleries and tourist precincts in a destination.

Environmental infrastructure which is the natural estate of national parks,

marine parks and reserves, including visitor facilities.

Collaborative Infrastructure which is the network of regional, state and

national tourism organizations that market destinations and distribute

tourism product.

We should keep full awareness in all of the things to build a strong

infrastructure.

Strategic Action & Plan:

In this portion I am representing a gantt chart which shows the time needs

for execute the plan that we make.

Here are some points that we include for making a plan:

1. Create partnership with universities.

2. Expand tourism hours.

3. Build Swimming pool.

4. Build new indoor museums.

5. Create a local seminar industry.

6. Increase conversion rates from the visitors.

7. Implement higher yielding tourism services.

8. Exporting intellectual property.

9. Build micro convention centers.

10. Implement quality control methods.

Recommendation:

1. The government has to play a key role for preparation of policy

guideline for

Planning and development, advertising, regulation and marketing of

tourism sector,

Because it provides ample employment opportunities to the citizen

and earns

Foreign currency for the country. It will also help government to solve

Unemployment problem and as well as act as source of revenue

collection.

2. The government should monitoring the activities of travel agencies

which are

involved in tour operation. Every travel agency should be enlisted

with Tour

Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB). Proper initiatives should

be taken so

that none of the travel agencies can operate their functions without

affiliation of

TOAB.

3. National Tourism Organization should be strengthened with provision

of adequate

fund, skilled manpower and as well as technical expertise to run the

organization

smoothly. In this regard, National Tourism Policy, 2015 should be

implemented as

quickly as possible and necessary support should be given to attract

private sector,

such as tax holiday, loan and concessionary rates in taxes and duties

and in special

cases, allotment of land.

Conclusion

Bangladesh is one of the fewest countries in South Asia, which remains to be explored.

Bangladesh has a delicate and distinctive attraction of its own to offer and it is definitely not a tourist

haunt like Nepal or India. Bangladesh is like a painter's dream come true with a rich tapestry of colors and

texture. The traditional emphasis of the tourist trade has always been on the material facilities offered by

a country rather than on its actual charms. This may be a reason why Bangladesh has seldom been

highlighted in the World's tourist maps.

It's a land of enormous beauty, hundreds of serpentine rivers, crystal clear water lakes surrounded by

ever green hills, luxuriant tropical rain forests, beautiful cascades of green tea gardens, world's largest

mangrove forest preserved as World Heritage, home of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the wild lives,

warbling of birds in green trees, wind in the paddy fields, abundance of sunshine, world's longest natural

sea beach, rich cultural heritage, relics of ancient Buddhist civilizations and colorful tribal lives, -

Bangladesh creates an unforgettable impression of a land of peace.

One will appreciate our culture and the environment. These are not simply sight-seeing

excursions, but real-time learning experiences. One can enjoy an ideal blend of adventure and

exploration with comfort and relaxation. Here you find that you are not alone with us, any place in

Bangladesh is a home away from home.