UNB, Dhaka :
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon on Friday urged the private sector to come up with a greater investment for developing exclusive tourism zones jointly with the government.
He said the government has already identified some exclusive tourism zones in the country where private investment is badly needed for their development.
“At this moment, the government won’t be able to provide the required amount of money for the development of those zones. We need private investment in a bigger way under the public-private partnership (PPP),” Menon said admitting government’s recourse constraint.
Bangladesh needs to proceed with a regional approach to ensure greater benefits from the tourism sector, the minister said while addressing a pre-budget discussion on Civil Aviation and Tourism at Dhaka Reporter Unity (DRU).
Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) arranged the discussion in cooperation with Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB).
TOAB and ATAB presented two separate keynote papers containing various proposals while Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Additional Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem analysed various aspects of the upcoming budget focusing on tourism sector. ATJFB Convener Nadira Kiron conducted the discussion.
ATAB President SN Manzur Murshed Mahbub, Secretary General Zinnur Ahmed Chowdhury Dipu and TOAB Director Toufique Rahman, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Speaking at the programme, Menon said the government is considering the tourism as a thrust sector this time. “I assure you that there’s a political commitment for the development of the tourism sector this time.”
The minister, however, urged the stakeholders of the tourism sector not to expect too much in terms of budgetary allocations this time as the Finance Minister works with limited resources.
“But we’ll continue working with you for the development of the highly potential sector,” he said adding that the Finance Minister will come up with specific directives in his budget speech.
About ensuring safety in major tourist spots, Menon said the government has taken steps in this regard for adequate deployment of tourist police. “We’ve increased workforces and the number is now 690.”
He sought cooperation from the locals too to ensure safety for the tourists as the law-enforcing agencies alone cannot do it. “In this regard, we need to make the awareness campaign stronger.”
Menon assured the leaders of TOAB and ATAB of addressing their concerns in consultation with Finance Minister AMA Muhith.
Economist Golam Moazzem said the government should focus more on the tourism sector as it has vast potential to contribute to the economy.
He said there is no adequate data bank, and the official websites related to tourism sector still lack proper information. “Tourists want proper information.”
The CPD economist said Tourism and Civil Aviation deserve equal attention but the tourism sector remains neglected.
“Since the government is giving priority, the tourism sector needs separate identity. Probably, I’ll say with courage, a separate ministry is needed for tourism sector as it has huge potential,” he added.
The TOAB and ATAB leaders demanded budgetary measures for the duty-free import of tourist coaches, and sought 10 percent cash incentives for the travel agents and tour operators as they are playing role in earning foreign currency without any support from the government.
They also sought a long-term policy for the development of tourism sector to make Bangladesh the most vibrant destination in the region for global tourists.
