UNB, Dhaka :
Bangladesh’s high potential to grow event-based tourism, both regionally and nationally, remains untapped for lack of proper initiatives and required resources, industry insiders say.
Both the public and private sectors have the equal role to play in attracting domestic and foreign tourists centering various popular regional and national events which will contribute to the national economy in a greater way, they observe.
“Of course, there’s a high potential to promote event-based tourism and attract more tourists,” Chairperson of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Dhaka University Dr Mojib Uddin Ahamed told UNB.
He said, Bangladesh is yet to explore avenues available in the country’s tourism sector though tourism is a vibrant industry worldwide.
Responding to a question, Dr Mojib said both the private and public sectors will have to work together and equally. “We need an effective coordination between the two sectors.”
Taufiq Rahman, director of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), also admitted that there has been no attention on event-based tourism despite having the potential.
“Fairs and festivals are a big tourism product for us. We can work on the products in a bigger way. It has potential,” Taufiq, also the founder chief executive of Journey Plus, said.
He said, they have already started working on that issue and are in touch with three companies in the USA, Australia and Poland targeting 2016. “But we’ve to take proper initiatives. We must ensure proper security, too.”
The tour operator suggested proper events calendar and distribute it in various countries through Bangladesh missions abroad to let foreign tourists know about the events.
Talking to UNB, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) CEO Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir said they have developed a year-long event calendar considering potential of event-based tourism.
“We’re emphasising both regional and national events,” he said mentioning some of the potential arrears to attract domestic and foreign tourists like Pohela Baishakh, International Mother Language Day, Ekhushey Book Fair, national surfing in Cox’s Bazar, beach volleyball and regional events like Jobbarer boli khela in Chittagong.
Akhtaruz Zaman is very optimistic about the outcome saying they now have very matured planning.
He, however, said money and required resources are needed to help promote tourism focusing on specific events.
“I think the momentum in the tourism sector has comeback. We all need to create notice together, I mean positive sounds. It’ll work,” he added.
Bangladesh’s high potential to grow event-based tourism, both regionally and nationally, remains untapped for lack of proper initiatives and required resources, industry insiders say.
Both the public and private sectors have the equal role to play in attracting domestic and foreign tourists centering various popular regional and national events which will contribute to the national economy in a greater way, they observe.
“Of course, there’s a high potential to promote event-based tourism and attract more tourists,” Chairperson of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Dhaka University Dr Mojib Uddin Ahamed told UNB.
He said, Bangladesh is yet to explore avenues available in the country’s tourism sector though tourism is a vibrant industry worldwide.
Responding to a question, Dr Mojib said both the private and public sectors will have to work together and equally. “We need an effective coordination between the two sectors.”
Taufiq Rahman, director of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), also admitted that there has been no attention on event-based tourism despite having the potential.
“Fairs and festivals are a big tourism product for us. We can work on the products in a bigger way. It has potential,” Taufiq, also the founder chief executive of Journey Plus, said.
He said, they have already started working on that issue and are in touch with three companies in the USA, Australia and Poland targeting 2016. “But we’ve to take proper initiatives. We must ensure proper security, too.”
The tour operator suggested proper events calendar and distribute it in various countries through Bangladesh missions abroad to let foreign tourists know about the events.
Talking to UNB, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) CEO Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir said they have developed a year-long event calendar considering potential of event-based tourism.
“We’re emphasising both regional and national events,” he said mentioning some of the potential arrears to attract domestic and foreign tourists like Pohela Baishakh, International Mother Language Day, Ekhushey Book Fair, national surfing in Cox’s Bazar, beach volleyball and regional events like Jobbarer boli khela in Chittagong.
Akhtaruz Zaman is very optimistic about the outcome saying they now have very matured planning.
He, however, said money and required resources are needed to help promote tourism focusing on specific events.
“I think the momentum in the tourism sector has comeback. We all need to create notice together, I mean positive sounds. It’ll work,” he added.
