The crucial case for boosting tourism in Bangladesh | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
July 07, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JULY 07, 2025
The crucial case for boosting tourism in Bangladesh

Thoughts

Saurav Roy
22 November, 2021, 10:20 am
Last modified: 22 November, 2021, 12:40 pm

Related News

  • Conquered Ganobhaban, will triumph in parliament too: Nahid
  • No objection to February polls but oppose a hastily arranged one: Jamaat
  • National Consensus Commission to resume reform talks tomorrow
  • Gazette published asking Hasina, 99 others to appear before court
  • July uprising shows dream of justice-based country: Nahid Islam

The crucial case for boosting tourism in Bangladesh

Unfortunately, tourism often gets neglected when policies are made in Bangladesh. In fact, our country ranks 121st in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index in terms of the prioritisation of travel and tourism

Saurav Roy
22 November, 2021, 10:20 am
Last modified: 22 November, 2021, 12:40 pm
Saurav Roy. TBS Sketch
Saurav Roy. TBS Sketch

South and south-east Asian countries have become some of the most visited tourist destinations in the world in the past two decades. But while countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, India or Indonesia receive millions of international tourists every year, Bangladesh only received 125,000 international tourists in 2019. 

This poor showing is not caused by a lack of attractions in the country. Besides the world's longest sea beach and the Sundarbans, Bangladesh has beautiful hills, valleys, bustling cities, historically and culturally important landmarks and a diverse and vibrant culture. So why do we still lag behind? 

A look at the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019 can give us a better idea about our deficiencies. As a whole, the country ranked 120th among 140 countries. Compared to the average score of other south and south-east Asian countries, Bangladesh is lacking in many key regards. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The poorest performance can, perhaps, be seen in the tourist service infrastructure criteria which includes key services like quality accommodation and rental services. Bangladesh ranks 133rd in this area, scoring 1.9, well below the global average of 4. 

Other areas also do not look promising. The country has ranked 120th in the usage of human resource, 116th in environmental sustainability, 11th in air transport infrastructure and ICT readiness. 

It is apparent that we are way behind in the global tourism industry. 

Besides the world’s longest sea beach and the Sundarbans, Bangladesh has beautiful hills, valleys, bustling cities, historically and culturally important landmarks and a diverse and vibrant culture. Photo: Fazlay Rabby
Besides the world’s longest sea beach and the Sundarbans, Bangladesh has beautiful hills, valleys, bustling cities, historically and culturally important landmarks and a diverse and vibrant culture. Photo: Fazlay Rabby

Weak inland and port infrastructure was once thought to be a detrimental thorn in our tourism industry. This, however, is not the case anymore. In fact, we are at the global average in that regard. Thus, weak inland transport infrastructure is no longer an excuse. 

As a result, boosting tourism in Bangladesh will take a holistic approach and combined effort from both the government and private entities. This can be achieved by providing subsidies, creating public-private partnerships and creating a business-friendly environment.

To incentivise the construction of quality accommodation and other facilities, businesses should operate with easy lending terms that include a small interest rate. 

The government should also maintain strict hygiene regulation and establish quality control mechanisms for hotels and other facilities in key tourist destinations in our country. 

International openness is also a factor in desperate need for government attention. Bangladesh needs to negotiate more bilateral air service agreements to facilitate a smooth travelling experience for the tourists. 

Concurrently, air transport infrastructure also needs to be improved. The government has to build more airports in key locations for both domestic and international travel. Airlines should also be incentivised to increase the number and quality of their aircrafts. 

As a conservative culture, we often struggle to accept tourists amid us. The government needs to educate the locals around key tourist spots to ensure that foreigners receive the same quality of hospitality Bangladesh is known for. 

All of these policies are quite feasible if the government is willing to act. Unfortunately, tourism often gets neglected during policy-making sessions in Bangladesh. In fact, the aforementioned index ranks our country 121st in terms of the prioritisation of travel and tourism. 

Our government expenditure in this sector is much smaller than our neighbouring countries. There is also a distinct lack of effective marketing and branding efforts to attract tourists. 

Travel agencies should always have comprehensive and well-maintained websites which will host documentaries, locations, site views, accommodation costs and transportation costs, making the process of travelling to our country a lot more accessible and a lot less intimidating.

The government should also put up advertisements in the international media and online platforms. Sponsoring different initiatives, especially sports teams, will also be effective in attracting tourists to our country. 

As Bangladesh graduates from the status of least developed countries, the manufacturing sectors will certainly take time to adjust to the new market conditions. Tourism, however, will not be subjected to these new regulations. 

As a result, this sector can help the economy absorb any shocks that may come with LDC graduation. Besides, it would be terribly inefficient if a sector filled with endless possibilities and potential is left unimproved.  


Saurav Roy is a student of International relations at Jahangirnagar University. He can be reached at sauravroyju47@gmail.com


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.

Bangladesh / Top News

Tourism / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Air Force One as he departs for Iowa, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, July 3, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard
    Trump and US commerce secretary say tariffs are delayed until 1 August
  • We are forced to disregard many issues but trying to reach consensus wherever possible: Ali Riaz
    We are forced to disregard many issues but trying to reach consensus wherever possible: Ali Riaz
  • BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Photo: TBS
    BNP optimistic that democracy will be established in Bangladesh thru next election: Fakhrul

MOST VIEWED

  • Ships and shipping containers are pictured at the port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California, US, 30 January 2019. Photo: REUTERS
    Bangladesh may offer zero-duty on US goods to get reciprocal tariff relief
  • A quieter scene at Dhaka University’s central library on 29 June, with seats still unfilled—unlike earlier this year, when the space was overwhelmed by crowds of job aspirants preparing for competitive exams. Photo: Tahmidul Alam Jaeef
    No more long queues at DU Central Library. What changed?
  • Labour unrests disrupt CEPZ operations as financial crisis hits factories
    Labour unrests disrupt CEPZ operations as financial crisis hits factories
  • Infographic: TBS
    Japanese loan rate hits record 2%, still remains cheaper than others
  • Students during a protest procession seeking end of discrimination in engineering jobs in Chattogram on 5 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Ctg students protest against discrimination in engineering profession
  • Benapole port: Revenue exceeds target by Tk316cr while imports decline
    Benapole port: Revenue exceeds target by Tk316cr while imports decline

Related News

  • Conquered Ganobhaban, will triumph in parliament too: Nahid
  • No objection to February polls but oppose a hastily arranged one: Jamaat
  • National Consensus Commission to resume reform talks tomorrow
  • Gazette published asking Hasina, 99 others to appear before court
  • July uprising shows dream of justice-based country: Nahid Islam

Features

The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

12h | Wheels
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

2d | Panorama
Contrary to long-held assumptions, Gen Z isn’t politically clueless — they understand both local and global politics well. Photo: TBS

A misreading of Gen Z’s ‘political disconnect’ set the stage for Hasina’s ouster

2d | Panorama
Graphics: TBS

How courier failures are undermining Bangladesh’s online perishables trade

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Israel and Hamas ceasefire talks end without agreement

Israel and Hamas ceasefire talks end without agreement

1h | TBS World
Israel attacks three ports and a power plant in Yemen

Israel attacks three ports and a power plant in Yemen

2h | TBS World
Karbala; one of the saddest and most tragic events in Islamic history

Karbala; one of the saddest and most tragic events in Islamic history

15h | TBS Stories
News of The Day, 06 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 06 JULY 2025

17h | TBS News of the day
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net