Bangladesh has been seeing a steady increase in tourist numbers over the last couple of years.
The country reported nearly 8 lakh international travellers in 2011-12. Of this, Indian tourists formed the largest number, with neighbouring West Bengal accounting for 25 per cent of the 8-lakh travellers who visited the country .
According to Mr Masudur Rashid, Executive Officer, Bangladesh Tourism Board, the country expects a substantial growth in footfalls this fiscal. We spent nearly Rs 45 crore (66 crore taka) in tourism sector in 2011-12, he said.
Mr Rashid said that his government was in talks to set up a dedicated tourist zone at Cox’s Bazaar, the longest natural sea beach, of the country.
The South Asia or SAARC region is one of the fastest growing tourism regions. But growth is not well distributed across regions. Realising this, the Government of Bangladesh has given due importance to the development of the tourism sector, Ms Abida Islam, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, said.
Bangladesh formed a tourism board in 2010 to promote the country as a tourist destination. It also regularly holds travel fairs across Spain, Germany, UK, China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in