Ctg needs int'l air links, city govt to become tourism hub: Mayor Shahadat

Chattogram needs international air connectivity, better tourism infrastructure and a city government to become one of Bangladesh's leading tourism hubs, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain said today (8 October).

Chattogram's hills, sea, rivers and valleys offered considerable tourism potential, but poor infrastructure and a lack of coordinated initiatives had prevented the city from making full use of its natural attractions, he said while inaugurating the three-day Chittagong Travel Mart at The Peninsula Chittagong in the city's GEC Circle area.

"We call Chattogram a commercial city or port city. But it has another identity – a city of joy and tourism. We have failed to properly showcase its beauty and potential," he said.

Emphasising international air connectivity, Shahadat said, "Chattogram once had international air connectivity, but we lost that opportunity for various reasons. We must restore it if we want to make Chattogram a true commercial city."

He also called for making existing facilities, including the international trade centre, fully operational.

The mayor stressed the need for a city government, saying development and public services were currently managed by multiple agencies, making coordination difficult.

"There is no alternative to a city government to address these coordination problems," he said.

He said Chattogram could serve as a gateway to tourist destinations such as Patenga, Parki, Sitakunda, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari.

"Tourism can contribute significantly to Bangladesh's economic growth. If Chattogram becomes a tourism hub, it will benefit the national economy. There is enormous potential in domestic tourism as well," he added.

The mayor said safety, security and connectivity were essential to developing the sector.

He also outlined plans to improve 36 canals in the city, including building walkways and recreational facilities along their banks if they came under the city corporation's management. A nearly six-kilometre walkway has already been built along Bara Khal, where beautification work is under way.

Mayor Shahadat said a proposal was being considered to develop an eco-friendly tourism city on 600 acres of land, incorporating solar power generation and measures to protect birds and biodiversity.

"If we get the 600 acres, we want to develop an environmentally friendly tourism city," he said.

Organised by The Bangladesh Monitor, a Bangladeshi travel and tourism publication, under the theme "Connecting Destinations, Creating Opportunities", the 16th Chittagong Travel Mart features 28 domestic and international tourism-related organisations.

The fair offers discounts on air tickets, hotel stays and tour packages, alongside free medical consultations. It will remain open from 10am to 8pm daily until Saturday.