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Unique Group Managing Director Mohd Noor Ali, also the advisor of Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA), pointed out that with the same amount of investment, the country’s tourism sector can provide 16 times more job opportunities compared to other sectors.
He made the comment while addressing the trophy unveiling ceremony of the country’s first inter-hotel cricket champions league titled “BIHA Champions League (BCL) 2024,” held at Sheraton Dhaka on Tuesday.
Mohd Noor Ali added, “The biggest and oldest sector of the world is the tourism sector. People’s faces are the main attraction of the body. The tourism sector is the face of the country, but our face is very ugly. We have a lot to do here.
“When foreigners visit our country, we provide them with personalised services. So, we have many employment opportunities in this regard. Our tourism sector is already flourishing. We have Cox's Bazar, Sundarbans, Kuakata, Sylhet, and many other popular tourist destinations.”
He then said, “I think the tourism sector can help raise the budget of our country by 2-3 times. We have people, we have fresh water, and we have great views of the sunrise and sunset. There is nothing that we do not have here.
“The people responsible for the tourism sector think small. It is not possible to do big things with small thinking. If we want to do big things, we need a big mentality.”
Mohd Noor Ali further said, “We are at the centre of the world. From here, Japan is only six hours away on a flight, while he Saudi Arabia is also around six hours. But tourist hubs, such as Dubai and Singapore, are located on another side of the world.
“We have the manpower, but unfortunately they are providing their services to countries such as Dubai and Singapore. They are unable to serve their own country.”
He continued, “We are proud that Cox’s Bazar is the longest sea beach in the world. But we are unable to utilise the potential of this attraction. When I went to Dubai, I saw a Taj Resort Hotel with a sea beach, lake, swimming pool, and people sunbathing around it.
“Families, children, and couples were surfing and swimming. This establishment had so many facilities that cannot be done in Cox's Bazar, as the Marine Drive prevents the construction of such sea-side resorts.”
He pointed out, “Tourists not only come to stay in hotels, but also want the opportunity to spend money. But how would they spend if they do not get good services? I think our immediate priority should be tourism.
“There are four crore unemployed people in our country. This unemployment can be eliminated only through tourism. These unemployed have many opportunities in this sector.”
Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA) President HM Hakim Ali said, “We need to remain united. Let us do something. Tourism is the invisible industry. But today or tomorrow this will be the number one industry. We need to be cooperative.
“The new airport of Cox’s-Bazar is one of the timely initiatives by the government. Cox’s Bazar will be the next Singapore. We can do it.”
Khalidur Rahman Sunny, co-chairman, BIHA Disaster management committee; Shakhawat Hussain, chief executive officer, Unique Hotel & Resorts Ltd; Stephane Massi, general manager, Westin and Sheraton Dhaka; and Mohammad Badrul Alam Molla, police super (legal & media) of Bangladesh Tourist Police also attended the ceremony.
