Photo: Collected
The vibrant Tourism sector of the country has been trying to recover from the losses worth Tk 15 billion (1.5 thousand crore) incurred due to political unrest in 2023 through offering various attractive packages to the tourists. But the sector saw a sudden fall in the recent days because of the upheaval going on across the country. One estimate says the sector is counting losses of about Tk. 200 crore every day, thereby making previous loss recovery more difficult than ever.
Media reports are pointing out that the prime tourism spots like Cox’s Bazaar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Kaptai Lake, Kuakata, Jaflong and Sylhet Tea Gardens are seeing no tourists since the beginning of the unrest last week. Cox’s Bazaar usually draws large visitors this time of the year but the spot is said to be losing over Tk.100 crore every day as there is a great fall in the number of tourists. Both local and foreign tourists are avoiding venturing out because of the atmosphere of uncertainty prevailing in the country. This has been corroborated by the owners of hotels and motels as they are counting losses on a daily basis.
According to experts, about five million people are directly or indirectly involved with the tourism sector in Bangladesh in various capacities. Some run medium to small eateries or carry tourists in their vehicles or ferry handicrafts to earn a living. These groups wait year-round for the tourism season to begin and the arrival of the tourists. Unfortunately, they are jobless now with the businesses closed down for an indefinite period. The big hotels and motels depend on various suppliers of essential commodities to make running the business smoothly. People involved in supplying such commodities are also hard hit in the present turmoil.
The importance of the tourism industry is immense and worth taking note of. It is estimated that currently the industry’s contribution to GDP is 3.02%, or Tk 76,690.7 crore. According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the sector provides employment opportunities for about 8.07% of the total number of employed manpower. If allowed to grow, this sector has the possibility of contributing about 10% to GDP.
We believe the government should give full attention to this sector having such great potential for growth.
Messenger/Fameema
