The contribution of tourism sector played an important role in the recovery of serious economic crisis of Sri Lanka. However, the tourism industry in Bangladesh is lagging behind other countries despite its huge prospect. The position of Bangladesh’s tourism industry in the world is very insignificant.

Compared to other countries in South Asia, Bangladesh hasn’t developed in tourism that much. The number of inbound tourists in other South Asian countries is notable, but this number is decreasing in case of Bangladesh. According to the concerned persons of this sector, the lack of entertainment facilities, excess travelling costs, lack of tourists-friendly environment and proper tourism branding are the main reasons behind this drawback. In addition, due to the excess hotel fare in the tourism spots in Bangladesh, excess transportations cost, and lack of sufficient entertainment facility, the foreign tourists are choosing India and other South Asian countries for their visit. These things lead to the fall of country’s tourism sector, as well as hampering the revenue earnings of the government. And in this circumstance, the country is observing the World Tourism Day. The theme of the day this year is ‘Environment Friendly Investment in Tourism.’

According to information of Moody Index, over 52 lakh foreign tourists visited in Bangladesh from the time period of 1995 to 2019. The year of 2008 saw the largest number of inbound tourists, which was 4, 67,000. And according the information of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), 2019 saw the largest number of inbound tourists, which was 6, 21,131. However, in 2020, the number was 1, 81,518 and in 2021 it was 1, 35,186. After Covid-19 period was over, the neighboring countries saw a boom of incoming tourists, but the scenario was opposite in Bangladesh.

According to the tourism officials, the number of tourists has decreased in recent years in the tourist spots of the country due to several reasons including the effect of Covid-19. According to BTB data, tourists from different countries visiting Bangladesh include people from India, USA, China, UK, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Nepal and Saudi Arabia. These tourists visit the Sundarbans, Cox's Bazar and St. Martin and so on.

Foreign tourists are moving to other South Asian countries without coming to Bangladesh due to lack of entertainment facilities, high travel costs, lack of tourist-friendly environment and lack of tourism branding, visa complications etc. Due to additional travel expenses, lack of entertainment, Bangladeshis are also rushing to neighboring countries for passing vacation. However, the Muslim countries of the Middle East including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia are taking various steps to attract foreign tourists. Bangladesh is still lagging behind in this regard.

Foreign tourists complain that there is no entertainment in the tourist places of the country after evening. Again, it is very difficult to get approval for foreign tourists even though they repeatedly say about providing services like bars, casinos, spas.

It is known from research that most of the foreign tourists who come to Bangladesh with visas are coming for business, development organizations and embassy related work. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Bangladesh earned 167.2 million dollars from foreign tourists in 2021 after the period of Covid-19. But before Corona, the income in 2019 was 369.6 million dollars.

According to the report titled 'Comprehensive Private Sector Assessment' of the US development agency USAID, only 5 percent of foreigners come to Bangladesh with the purpose of traveling. The largest share of visiting nationals comes as business representatives of the ready-made garment sector, accounting for 40 percent of total foreigners. After that come various jobs in the development sector. Their rate is 25 percent. In addition, 15 percent of the foreigners come to work in the embassies. The remaining 5 percent are genuine tourists.

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President Shiblul Azam Qureshi told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “The positive aspects of Bangladesh should be highlighted to foreign tourists. This is the responsibility of the government. For this, the government has to play a more active role. There is no proper promotion of the country's tourist attractions. When the foreigners will have a proper idea of tourist spots in the country, they will be interested in going there. Again, there is a kind of negative campaign about Bangladesh in several cases in the outside world. Additionally, the on-arrival visa facility for foreign tourists needs to be increased. More countries should offer on-arrival visa facility. Also, e-visa needs to be introduced as on-arrival visa has some limitations.”

Locals go abroad: The foreign tourists don’t feel much attraction to come to Bangladesh. On the other hand, the tourism agencies are also unable to retain domestic tourists. According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) survey, 29, 21, 520 Bangladeshi tourists went abroad in 2018-19 fiscal year. More than 60% of them went to India.

A significant number of domestic tourists visit India. Bangladeshis accounted for 20 percent of the total number of tourists who visited India in 2022, the second highest of their incoming tourists. There were 12, 55, 960 Bangladeshis among the tourists that year. Between January and June of 2023, 23.5 percent of the total number of tourists from Bangladesh went to visit the country. Apart from tourism, people from Bangladesh are also going to India for visa related work, medical and business purposes.

Besides India, Bangladeshi tourists are also visiting Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives and Dubai. Basically, people are interested in foreign tourism because of the high cost of hotels and resorts in various tourist spots in Bangladesh. The cost of food is also high here. Generally around Eid and some festival, the rich and upper-middle class travel to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Maldives. And of course, India is the preferred destination for Bangladeshis for medical treatment and shopping.

Former president of TOAB Rafiuzzaman said many Bangladeshi tourists visit India, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai and Nepal during Eid. But not all of this large number of people going to India is tourists. Some of them are going to relatives and some are going for better treatment purpose. At present we are giving importance to the development of the domestic tourism sector. The tourism sector of the country is also in a good condition. Moreover, we are giving importance to the development of the domestic tourism sector to maintain the revenue of the country.

​(The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 27 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)