Tourism in Bangladesh: a look through social prism
Mashooq Salehin
July 09, 2009
In a roundtable conference held in Dhaka in last February, officials and resource personnel stressed on taking massive steps required to explore tourism potential. The keynote paper emphasized on some conceived potentials of tourism industry in Bangladesh and, as usual, pointed out some drawback too. It is a great pleasure to get so many enthusiastic people around us trying to promote the tourism sector in Bangladesh. Many of them, I believe, have a true passionate dream for developing the sector as a profitable industry. However, there are some issues I have rarely seen to be discussed in such forums being held on and off in Bangladesh. With the accessibility to print and electronic media of Bangladesh from abroad, I have noticed a trend of believing on a high potential of tourism industry in Bangladesh is taking place among people. With full respect to such believers I would like to present some issues from a neutral and global view.
Tourism, as we know, is one of the largest industry worldwide. The annual revenue generated from the industry is a total of 500 billion USD. And, many countries, despite of limited resources and wealth, now a day are showing tremendous effort and interest to get a decent share from this big money. While speaking about tourism in Bangladesh, the optimists do not forget to remind that our tourism industry has been considered as the neglected one that is waiting to thrive if only someone explores it. They usually urge to the government for developing infrastructure, ensuring security or improving other facilities for tourists as part of expanding the sector. I am not opposing the idea that Bangladesh could be a potential shareholder to the tourism business too, but at the same time, I would like to remind that the patrons of tourism in Bangladesh might have no idea that how much we would have to pay for it.
The idea of our tourism industry based mainly on attracting tourists by introducing them to our natural beauties, provide them with luxury hotel, security and modern transport. This kind of tourism concept is no more an existence in the modern world. Society and culture of several countries in the world is not lagging behind with middle Aegean values and people have become more open in terms of expressing their lifestyles. People now do not travel places just to lie on silky grass carpet and counting flying elephants on gorgeously blue sky. Destination for natural wonders or beautiful places might have an appeal to certain segment of tourists, but for the majority, scenic beauty have really become a low preference. If we think accordingly the market theory, the tourists have been segmented into different groups such as leisure, business and independent customer group. Holidaymakers and age-specific groups are the major portion of the total business (approximately 75% of all international travel) is the main profit generating factor of this industry. The tourists of these groups select their destination according to the availability of nightlife entertainment, access to alcohol and soft drinks at low price, accommodation with discount rate at hotels and luxury hotels are not a necessary to them. They also take into account of their safety, availability of cheap and easy transport and how many native people can communicate with them through English.
Developing the infrastructure, constructing smooth links to scenic destinations, providing easy transport and securing the safety of the tourists are not unattainable if our government take earnest actions. But ensuring night life and easy access to alcohol for boosting up tourism industry in a country where 93% of the population is Muslim and where nightlife merely exist or drinking is prohibited by law sounds unrealistic. Is Bangladesh ready to accept this kind of change required for such attain?
We should accept the fact that we cannot turn Dhaka into Bangkok, even if tourism industry seeks to. Mass people won’t accept the idea of opening Bars in the city of Dhaka or in Cox’s Bazar. The existing regulation that permits selling alcohol only to foreign tourists with a 500% duty/tax is also an awful contradiction to our concept of attracting tourists in comparison to other competitive destinations where merely any tax is imposed on such products. Yes, alcohols are available in black markets, but are smuggled and with no quality assurance. And the way the sellers approach to the tourists to sell the prohibited item at the sea beach of Cox’s Bazar, would definitely scare a foreigner. Buying a beer should not be that complicated for tourists who usually have easy access to liquor in their home country. But, for the sake of securing “fun” for the tourists, making alcohol business more open is not an easy option for the government. Reforming the existing import policy to reduce such tax won’t be easy indeed.
From the nearest experience of former finance minister Mr. Saifur Rahman, I believe none of his successor would dare to touch the policy. And, perhaps that should not be. Considering the situation with Yaba, Phencidyl and all— I barely see any reason to make alcohol more available. So, that won’t happen and this is a reality which should be accepted by our tourism industry. The option of declaring certain geographical area as tourist zone with high security measure (you have to provide special measure if you declare such kind of particular zones) would rather scare the tourists. Again, arranging a place under a high security measure would fail—because, a tourist would not like to be treated as a cage-bird. The possibility for foreigners of being a key target of the nascent militants would also become high. As our past experience indicates many weird ideas taken by GOB that did not work at all—including the idea of constructing Madhupur Echo park boundary wall, the government should not consider such kind of option at all.
Its true that the world recognizable tourist hubs like Thailand, Bangkok, and Philippines are generating a huge remittance from their tourism industry. But that’s just one side of the coin which has a darker flipside. Bangkok has already been recognized as the capital of Sex industry in Asia, probably in the whole world. Philippine is following the same footstep and people of these country are paying the price of the tourist money. Dispersal of HIV and antisocial activities are on rise. In Nepal, another country having economy based on tourism, is facing a battle with HIV and women trafficking. And unfortunately, such a big price could not save the marginal people from vicious cycle of poverty. Now a days, tourism industry and sex business have turned like a conglomerate trade. All of the tourist spots from Thailand to Goa, Bali to Cancun have stepped into the world of tourism with an approval, silent or open, to sex business for the sake of drawing profit. Any one can openly hire a hooter in the world famous tourist destination Las Vegas as prostitution has been declared legal by US government in that state. We have to realize that we would also have to compromise with this hidden truth of tourism business if we genuinely hope for its betterment here. Banning the tourists from illegal sex can only repeal the tourists from Bangladesh. So, how would the government can make our tourism a profitable sector without patronizing sex business is an inevitable question for now a days.
Another fact to be taken into consideration is- low budget tourist segment is the main supply force of the big profit of modern tourism industry. This target group is mainly holidaymakers who requires discount in accommodations, food and holiday activities which include the well-known - sun-bathing. Sun bathing may sound very strange and unnecessary to the people of Bangladesh who would rather stay at home most of the year to avoid the unbearable scorching heat, but for the Western and European tourists, sun bathing on beach in bikini or bathing suit is an essential part of holiday leisure. To provide them with such free ambience for could be very intimidating to our social custom. It is not only a matter of ensuring security for tourists but also changing the common people’s attitude towards half naked bodies. The change, if could be attained, can pose a threat to the traditional social norms of Bengali Muslim society. However, we need to realize that, as a society we are not open yet though very welcoming and hospitable. Due to religious and cultural influences, social customs are moderately rigid and accepting different lifestyle is considered outlandish by large section. And, preferring to preserve ones own religious and cultural tradition is not something to be ashamed of.
The tourists also look for the opportunities to know the native culture and people. They would like to roam around the city and countryside to explore the cultural diversity. For such exposure, it is important to ensure an environment where the tourists can move and wander freely in the crowd and on city streets other than providing them with air-conditioned confined transportations. That’s how tourist destinations like Goa, Delhi, Bangkok, and Agra have managed the top positions in the worlds most popular vacation spots list. In such destinations, a tourist can walk around, have lunch, and use reliable city transport with safety which costs only five dollar a day. Whether we admit or not, we are lacking such facilities even for domestic tourists.
Promoting tourism and dreaming for billions without considering such realities would be an imprudent idea. Taking actions on basis of whimsical conjecture and ignoring the use of discreet judgment without considering the aftermath may bring us social mutilation while we hope for economic benefit. Recently, Government of Bangladesh has launched a promotional program to enter into the global tourism industry with a theme “Beautiful Bangladesh”. Previously, we have seen how taxpayers money was expended for constructing different infrastructure for Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation with no gain. Recently, the government is realizing that it was their mistake to be busy with building structures, rather, they would have been involved in policy formulation and external promotional activities. And now, without considering the social realities and context, promoting tourism in Bangladesh and experiencing the snags may put our government in another self ambiance that they have mistaken again!
While struggling with many other challenges and threats to our state, economy, environment and cultural tradition, we need to avert our perception to development for a long term gain. For the last 36 years since our independence we have learnt to measure the scale of profit of any schemes with the amount of foreign currency it earns. The indigent economy of ours has been led to meretricious idea of selling things in foreign markets and accumulating foreign currency reserve in bank as the key measure of boosting up the economy. Cultural preservation is the new concept of human development that has been exemplified by Bhutan. With such a potential of developing a world class tourism industry, this Himalayan Kingdom emphasized on the preservation of culture and environment. Such initiative did not hinder the progress and development of Bhutan. Per capita income of this country has risen to 1450 USD, currently highest in south Asia, and approximately 50% more than India. Bhutan was known to be the poorest country of the world even in Nineties. In stead of instant cash from tourists, Bhutan kept its people and culture within its traditional enclosure for long to preserve her culture and environment from global intervention. But, on the other hand, she emphasized on utilizing natural resources that could generate a sustainable emolument. While looking at the example of Thailand, Malaysia and Maldives, that have elated our greed for green money, we should also consider the examples of Bhutan or Cambodia who given priority to their nation’s self-esteem.
In the context of social reality of Bangladesh, tourism has a limited potential to be flourished. This reality should not disappoint us; rather we should explore the sustainable elements that can be utilized for our development. Each country and economy has its own unique feature and resources to be benefitted from. The countries where industrial revolution has taken place were not able to cultivate crops for their own geographic feature. They had no other way to strengthen their economy other than developing their technology. But the countries like Netherlands and New Zealand are leading the world’s economic arena by emphasizing their natural resources. Our neighbor India is emerging as a new world power force by building a manpower with scholastic insight who are working in different influential world organizations and international academic institutes. We have our fertile land, we have our manpower. We have huge natural resources convertible to power. We are not left with regret if tourism can not grow on our soil.
mashooq_salehin@yahoo.com
Los Angeles, California, USA
Tourism, as we know, is one of the largest industry worldwide. The annual revenue generated from the industry is a total of 500 billion USD. And, many countries, despite of limited resources and wealth, now a day are showing tremendous effort and interest to get a decent share from this big money. While speaking about tourism in Bangladesh, the optimists do not forget to remind that our tourism industry has been considered as the neglected one that is waiting to thrive if only someone explores it. They usually urge to the government for developing infrastructure, ensuring security or improving other facilities for tourists as part of expanding the sector. I am not opposing the idea that Bangladesh could be a potential shareholder to the tourism business too, but at the same time, I would like to remind that the patrons of tourism in Bangladesh might have no idea that how much we would have to pay for it.
The idea of our tourism industry based mainly on attracting tourists by introducing them to our natural beauties, provide them with luxury hotel, security and modern transport. This kind of tourism concept is no more an existence in the modern world. Society and culture of several countries in the world is not lagging behind with middle Aegean values and people have become more open in terms of expressing their lifestyles. People now do not travel places just to lie on silky grass carpet and counting flying elephants on gorgeously blue sky. Destination for natural wonders or beautiful places might have an appeal to certain segment of tourists, but for the majority, scenic beauty have really become a low preference. If we think accordingly the market theory, the tourists have been segmented into different groups such as leisure, business and independent customer group. Holidaymakers and age-specific groups are the major portion of the total business (approximately 75% of all international travel) is the main profit generating factor of this industry. The tourists of these groups select their destination according to the availability of nightlife entertainment, access to alcohol and soft drinks at low price, accommodation with discount rate at hotels and luxury hotels are not a necessary to them. They also take into account of their safety, availability of cheap and easy transport and how many native people can communicate with them through English.
Developing the infrastructure, constructing smooth links to scenic destinations, providing easy transport and securing the safety of the tourists are not unattainable if our government take earnest actions. But ensuring night life and easy access to alcohol for boosting up tourism industry in a country where 93% of the population is Muslim and where nightlife merely exist or drinking is prohibited by law sounds unrealistic. Is Bangladesh ready to accept this kind of change required for such attain?
We should accept the fact that we cannot turn Dhaka into Bangkok, even if tourism industry seeks to. Mass people won’t accept the idea of opening Bars in the city of Dhaka or in Cox’s Bazar. The existing regulation that permits selling alcohol only to foreign tourists with a 500% duty/tax is also an awful contradiction to our concept of attracting tourists in comparison to other competitive destinations where merely any tax is imposed on such products. Yes, alcohols are available in black markets, but are smuggled and with no quality assurance. And the way the sellers approach to the tourists to sell the prohibited item at the sea beach of Cox’s Bazar, would definitely scare a foreigner. Buying a beer should not be that complicated for tourists who usually have easy access to liquor in their home country. But, for the sake of securing “fun” for the tourists, making alcohol business more open is not an easy option for the government. Reforming the existing import policy to reduce such tax won’t be easy indeed.
From the nearest experience of former finance minister Mr. Saifur Rahman, I believe none of his successor would dare to touch the policy. And, perhaps that should not be. Considering the situation with Yaba, Phencidyl and all— I barely see any reason to make alcohol more available. So, that won’t happen and this is a reality which should be accepted by our tourism industry. The option of declaring certain geographical area as tourist zone with high security measure (you have to provide special measure if you declare such kind of particular zones) would rather scare the tourists. Again, arranging a place under a high security measure would fail—because, a tourist would not like to be treated as a cage-bird. The possibility for foreigners of being a key target of the nascent militants would also become high. As our past experience indicates many weird ideas taken by GOB that did not work at all—including the idea of constructing Madhupur Echo park boundary wall, the government should not consider such kind of option at all.
Its true that the world recognizable tourist hubs like Thailand, Bangkok, and Philippines are generating a huge remittance from their tourism industry. But that’s just one side of the coin which has a darker flipside. Bangkok has already been recognized as the capital of Sex industry in Asia, probably in the whole world. Philippine is following the same footstep and people of these country are paying the price of the tourist money. Dispersal of HIV and antisocial activities are on rise. In Nepal, another country having economy based on tourism, is facing a battle with HIV and women trafficking. And unfortunately, such a big price could not save the marginal people from vicious cycle of poverty. Now a days, tourism industry and sex business have turned like a conglomerate trade. All of the tourist spots from Thailand to Goa, Bali to Cancun have stepped into the world of tourism with an approval, silent or open, to sex business for the sake of drawing profit. Any one can openly hire a hooter in the world famous tourist destination Las Vegas as prostitution has been declared legal by US government in that state. We have to realize that we would also have to compromise with this hidden truth of tourism business if we genuinely hope for its betterment here. Banning the tourists from illegal sex can only repeal the tourists from Bangladesh. So, how would the government can make our tourism a profitable sector without patronizing sex business is an inevitable question for now a days.
Another fact to be taken into consideration is- low budget tourist segment is the main supply force of the big profit of modern tourism industry. This target group is mainly holidaymakers who requires discount in accommodations, food and holiday activities which include the well-known - sun-bathing. Sun bathing may sound very strange and unnecessary to the people of Bangladesh who would rather stay at home most of the year to avoid the unbearable scorching heat, but for the Western and European tourists, sun bathing on beach in bikini or bathing suit is an essential part of holiday leisure. To provide them with such free ambience for could be very intimidating to our social custom. It is not only a matter of ensuring security for tourists but also changing the common people’s attitude towards half naked bodies. The change, if could be attained, can pose a threat to the traditional social norms of Bengali Muslim society. However, we need to realize that, as a society we are not open yet though very welcoming and hospitable. Due to religious and cultural influences, social customs are moderately rigid and accepting different lifestyle is considered outlandish by large section. And, preferring to preserve ones own religious and cultural tradition is not something to be ashamed of.
The tourists also look for the opportunities to know the native culture and people. They would like to roam around the city and countryside to explore the cultural diversity. For such exposure, it is important to ensure an environment where the tourists can move and wander freely in the crowd and on city streets other than providing them with air-conditioned confined transportations. That’s how tourist destinations like Goa, Delhi, Bangkok, and Agra have managed the top positions in the worlds most popular vacation spots list. In such destinations, a tourist can walk around, have lunch, and use reliable city transport with safety which costs only five dollar a day. Whether we admit or not, we are lacking such facilities even for domestic tourists.
Promoting tourism and dreaming for billions without considering such realities would be an imprudent idea. Taking actions on basis of whimsical conjecture and ignoring the use of discreet judgment without considering the aftermath may bring us social mutilation while we hope for economic benefit. Recently, Government of Bangladesh has launched a promotional program to enter into the global tourism industry with a theme “Beautiful Bangladesh”. Previously, we have seen how taxpayers money was expended for constructing different infrastructure for Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation with no gain. Recently, the government is realizing that it was their mistake to be busy with building structures, rather, they would have been involved in policy formulation and external promotional activities. And now, without considering the social realities and context, promoting tourism in Bangladesh and experiencing the snags may put our government in another self ambiance that they have mistaken again!
While struggling with many other challenges and threats to our state, economy, environment and cultural tradition, we need to avert our perception to development for a long term gain. For the last 36 years since our independence we have learnt to measure the scale of profit of any schemes with the amount of foreign currency it earns. The indigent economy of ours has been led to meretricious idea of selling things in foreign markets and accumulating foreign currency reserve in bank as the key measure of boosting up the economy. Cultural preservation is the new concept of human development that has been exemplified by Bhutan. With such a potential of developing a world class tourism industry, this Himalayan Kingdom emphasized on the preservation of culture and environment. Such initiative did not hinder the progress and development of Bhutan. Per capita income of this country has risen to 1450 USD, currently highest in south Asia, and approximately 50% more than India. Bhutan was known to be the poorest country of the world even in Nineties. In stead of instant cash from tourists, Bhutan kept its people and culture within its traditional enclosure for long to preserve her culture and environment from global intervention. But, on the other hand, she emphasized on utilizing natural resources that could generate a sustainable emolument. While looking at the example of Thailand, Malaysia and Maldives, that have elated our greed for green money, we should also consider the examples of Bhutan or Cambodia who given priority to their nation’s self-esteem.
In the context of social reality of Bangladesh, tourism has a limited potential to be flourished. This reality should not disappoint us; rather we should explore the sustainable elements that can be utilized for our development. Each country and economy has its own unique feature and resources to be benefitted from. The countries where industrial revolution has taken place were not able to cultivate crops for their own geographic feature. They had no other way to strengthen their economy other than developing their technology. But the countries like Netherlands and New Zealand are leading the world’s economic arena by emphasizing their natural resources. Our neighbor India is emerging as a new world power force by building a manpower with scholastic insight who are working in different influential world organizations and international academic institutes. We have our fertile land, we have our manpower. We have huge natural resources convertible to power. We are not left with regret if tourism can not grow on our soil.
mashooq_salehin@yahoo.com
Los Angeles, California, USA
Print
Email
