Prospects of tourism

The world of tourism is once again looking forward to brighter days, and opening up to the call of revitalizing the sector, as Covid-19 begins to slow down on its track. As the threat diminishes to a great extent, if not totally, many famous international destinations, hot spots, hotels, resorts, restaurants and sea beaches are back to business. The footsteps of thousands of tourists have begun to rebound through the ancient narrow cobbled roads, castle ruins and mountain passes. The sight and sound are what business owners have been waiting for the past two years. World tour operators expect a business boom this time and hope to make enough money to compensate for the losses incurred in the last two years. Some of the big international airlines have announced their flight schedules to facilitate hauling of tourists to and from their desired destinations.  

This year’s World Tourism Day theme was “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. The theme recognizes the power and potential of tourism to advance prosperity and drive inclusive, sustainable development, as it touches almost every part of our economies and societies.   

 UNWTO observes that “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact. And marginalized groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly.

UNWTO is the United Nations specialized agency for responsible and sustainable tourism. It is guiding the global sector towards inclusive recovery and growth. UNWTO ensures every part of the sector has a say in its future – including communities, minorities, youth and those who would otherwise be at risk of being left behind.”

The UN recognizes that tourism is one of the  pillars of Sustainable Development Goals,  particularly Goals 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduce inequalities).

Interestingly, it has been recorded that tourism employs one in every ten people on Earth. Because of the pandemic, 100-120 million direct tourism jobs are at risk. UNWTO predicts that domestic tourism will return before international tourism.

  Bangladesh, we understand, is already up and about with plans to seize the opportunity to revive its moribund tourism sector. It has to start afresh to display its best countenance to invite tourists of different nationalities to the country. Winter is knocking at the door and tourists are aware that winter is the best time to tour Bangladesh and enjoy the hospitable nature of the people. It needs no emphasising that tourism is a vital business sector contributing substantially to our economy. In 2017, the tourism industry’s direct contribution was reportedly $5.3 billion, approximately 2.2 per cent of GDP. It is expected to rise by 6.8 per cent per year to $7.5 billion by the year 2028.

This however remains to be said that this sector is still not well orgnised and as a result we are still not able to utilize its full potential even after 50 years of our independence. Experts tend to agree that despite having the potential to earn many times more than what we earn now, the sector is faced with odd challenges, the number one of which is, poor branding in the outside world. The negative image of natural calamities and poverty still remain imprinted in the minds of the tourists.

According to a report titled  ‘Comprehensive Private Sector Assessment’ by USAID, other challenges to tourism include concentrated tourist attractions, absence of promotional activity and poor certification policy. The report was prepared with a view to identifying some private sectors which can help boost the country’s economy through generating revenue and job creation. USAID feels Bangladesh is enriched with both natural and manmade tourism spots which could draw more tourists if these were promoted following a comprehensive plan.

In a bid to boost tourism in the country, the government has been requested by the relevant ministry to introduce on-arrival visas to attract tourists during the post-Coronavirus period.