Foreign missions need dedicated desks for tourism, analysts say

Bangladesh missions abroad need to appoint officials with proper training and the right knowledge to attract tourists, industry insiders said.

Such steps are necessary to help the country achieve its target of serving one million tourists per year by 2018, especially in the face of allegations that Bangladesh embassy or high commission officials are not always cooperative in offering assistance when approached.

“The government should open a separate desk at Bangladesh's foreign missions to promote the sector abroad and appoint people with enough knowledge on tourism to those desks,” said Rafiuzzaman, first vice president of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh.

The officials could be appointed from Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Bangladesh Tourism Board, or other organisations, he said. Such designated desks could help boost tourism, especially by attracting more businesspeople.

“If not for all missions abroad, the government should make such appointments in at least the 15 to 20 countries that generate 80 to 90 percent of all tourists globally,” said Taufiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey Plus.

Political unrest and the murder of some foreigners in Bangladesh cast a shadow on the image of the country, though the overall law and order situation is much better now, analysts said.

About five lakh tourists, including businesspeople and non-resident Bangladeshis, visit Bangladesh every year.

“Of them, around 50,000 people usually visit Bangladesh for tourism alone. But, due to political unrest and the killing of foreigners, the numbers have fallen by 30 to 40 percent in recent years,” Rahman said. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said the appointment of people with adequate knowledge on tourism is already being discussed in the cabinet meeting. 

He also said the government has instructed foreign missions to work efficiently to promote tourism.