Experts urge shift towards sustainable, high-value tourism
Bangladesh must urgently reposition itself as a sustainable, higher-value destination by fostering greater public and private investment, tourism experts and industry leaders said, warning that conventional tourism models are faltering amid climate change and evolving traveller preferences.
They voiced these concerns at a national roundtable, "Meaningful Tourism: Perspectives on Planning and Sustainability", held at Daffodil International University in Birulia, Savar, on 14 July.
Professor Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt, an internationally recognised German tourism expert, presented the keynote paper and recommended strategies for the development of Bangladesh's tourism sector.
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The discussion centred on "meaningful tourism"—an approach designed to generate economic, social and experiential benefits for visitors, local communities, businesses and other stakeholders, while safeguarding cultural and natural resources.
Professor Dr Mohammad Rakibul Kabir, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship at Daffodil International University, delivered the welcome address. Associate Professor Mahabub Parvez, also of the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship, moderated the session.
Participants included Mohammad Hanif, President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh; Md Ziaul Haque Howlader, General Manager of the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation; Md Jalal Uddin Tipu of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh; Md Tawfiq Rahman, Secretary General of PATA Bangladesh; Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director of Novoair; Rizwan Maruf, Director of Marketing at InterContinental Dhaka; and Md Sakhawat Hossain, Chief Executive Officer of The Westin Dhaka.
Speakers noted that climate change, artificial intelligence and shifting tourist expectations are disrupting traditional models, while also creating new opportunities for destination development and specialised services.
They observed that Bangladesh has yet to realise its tourism potential, despite its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and biodiversity.
According to figures shared at the roundtable, about 650,000 foreign tourists visited Bangladesh in 2025, spending approximately $440 million. Despite representing more than 2% of the global population, Bangladesh attracted only 0.05% of international tourists, speakers noted.
They cautioned Bangladesh against repeating the mistakes of established destinations, such as environmental and cultural degradation, overtourism, and the outflow of tourism revenue abroad.
With a significant portion of the world's population living within a four-hour flight, Bangladesh has an opportunity to attract more visitors from regional markets, speakers added.
They recommended prioritising service quality and visitor value over mere numbers, developing specialised offerings for regional source markets, and ensuring closer coordination between the public and private sectors.
Such an approach, they said, could help Bangladesh strengthen its international tourism position while ensuring local communities and businesses receive a greater share of economic benefits.
