Tourism can eradicate poverty, say tourism operators in Bangladesh

[mizanbdit]

Tourism can be a powerful force in eradicating poverty, says Dhaka University Zoology Professor Anwarul Islam.
"The benefits yielded from tourism should be fairly distributed," he said in a keynote speech, addressing participants at a seminar during the Banglalink Bangla-desh Travel Tourism Fair 2007 (BTTF). "Only then will tourism become participatory, and thus the rights of the local residents will be properly recognised. In this way, tourism will become responsible and sustainable."
The fair was organised by the Tourism Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) in an effort to build and promote Bangladeshi tourism. The Responsible Travel seminar was one of several organised discussions in which industry movers debated issues of interest.
Tourism in Bangladesh has grown widely in the last few years, with more and more private operators setting up shop in the tiny nation. Operators expect growth in the domestic market.
Philip J. DeCosse, Chief of Party of the Nishorgo Support Project, described the recent growth in the industry as encouraging. He also cautioned that profits must reach the right people in order to create change.
"The statistics for the number of paid visitors to the Sunderbans is up to nearly a million today—huge growth in the last few years," said Decosse. "The top 10 per cent are earning more and more. What people generally do after making enough money, they want to pay for environment. They may travel just for enjoyment, but they will also pay for nature."
He cautioned operators not to take advantage of Bangladesh's few remaining natural sports and the people that live there, as this will be counterproductive to tourism growth.
"When you bring visitors out, you must remember that revenue belongs with the community," he stressed. "I think the state can also step in and say that when you visit, there will be community structures that directly receiving benefits for their efforts in protecting these areas."
TOAB President Hasan Mansur emphasised that tourism growth in Bangladesh must be done in an organised way.
"Bangladesh has potentials but there cannot be sudden, big growth. The industry is growing, but there are certainly development gaps---there are places where we can make improvements. There are capacity gaps. This is the right time for us to take our responsible tourism concept and use it when do our tourism, our future will be better."
"Responsible Travel" is a relatively new travel philosophy in the worldwide tourism industry. Nevertheless, the philosophy has quickly caught on as a standard by which tourism operators are judged.
The promise of responsible travel is to create a kind of tourism that brings benefits to local communities, while not destroying their local environments. The emphasis is on small group travel, and having a more authentic holiday experience as opposed to "the packaged experience."

[jgault]

I was in Bangladesh last January and will be heading back in January 2008... what a fantastic experience. I went their to photograph archeological sites and to learn more about the history of the country. I found the people friendly... If you would like to learn more about Bangladesh go to this site, discoverybangladesh dot com

Read the information on this site before planning a trip to the country, it's not like heading to the Caribbean, be fully informed before you go. The country has much to offer, if you can, hire a local guide and work through a travel agent. Don't try and book this type a trip on your own.

Jerry

[willsmiller]

Yes, I agree with you...