Tourism in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a fascinating country for those visitors who are keen to know the unknown and unspoiled natural beauty and resources. These natural phenomena are composed of hills and vales, forests, rivers, sea-beaches, lakes and the evergreen landscape embracing the country.

royal bengal tiger

Main Tourist Attractions

The topography is mainly flat alluvial plain, crisscrossed by the world's three mighty river systems viz. padma (Ganges), Jamuna and Meghna and their innumerable tributaries. The west, north and most of east are bounded by India and south-eastern part by Myanmar. The north eastern part comprises Chittagong and the three hilly districts with an average alleviation of 2000 feet from the sea level. In the south and south-west, along side the coast of the Bay of Bengal, lies the Sundarbans the largest mangrove forest in the world which is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger.

cox's bazar The country has a sea-beach of unique character at Cox's Bazar. The 120 km. lay beach is straight, smooth and sandy, going deep into the sea with forested high hills by the side.

deer in the Sundarbans The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, is the abode of Royal Bengal Tigers, crocodiles and deer. The whole area is crisscrossed by rivers and rivulets, and a journey by boat through that area is simply fascinating.

sunsetOther attractions are the tribal people of the Hilly Districts in the South-east and hilly areas of Mymensingh in the north with their distinctive way of life, with an ancient cultural heritage and colourful tribal folklore. The zigzag hill sloppy tea gardens in Sylhet regions are yet another attraction for tourists. The archaeological remains of the 3rd century AD at Mainamati, Paharpur and Mahasthangar and other areas or Rajshahi are the testimonials of an ancient rich cultural heritage.

kaptai lake Apart from these, Bangladesh has also the largest manmade lake in the sub-continent, which is in Rangamati District and surrounded by forested high hills presenting an unprecedented natural beauty.

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Tourism Development in Bangladesh

Jamuna Bridge Tourism in Bangladesh is still dominated by the state owned programme. In a developing economy where an over-whelming majority of the people have marginal standard of living and a society that is much influenced by its economic conditions; steps taken by the government for the development of tourism so far had been largely to promote tourism by creating facilities for the tourists.

Savar National Monument But large-scale investment, particularly in the private sector, that is necessary in order to achieve economic gains, has not been forthcoming significantly despite some incentives allowed by the government. There is vast scope for future prospects and possibilities for development of tourism in Bangladesh. If product development, marketing and promotion of tourism can be achieved, more and more tourists would be attracted to visit Bangladesh.

Various tourism facilities have so far been developed in many of the tourism potential areas by Bangladesh Parjatan (Tourism) Corporation, other government, semi-government and non-government agencies. Apart from this, the Government of Bangladesh has formulated the National Tourism Policy in February 1992. Sonargaon The main objective of this policy is to attract investment in tourism sector from the domestic private investors as well as from the foreign investors.

Ahsan Manjil, Dhaka It is hoped that this step would encourage both local and foreign investments in tourism sector in Bangladesh. It could be either in the form of joint venture or on 100% foreign ownership basis. The government has declared a number of incentives like tax exemption on foreign loans, capital gains and royalty, avoidance of double taxation, remittance of 50% of salaries of foreign employees repatriation of capital etc.

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Existing Tourism Facilities

The Corporation has the following facilities in Dhaka and other places of the country :

Dhaka :
Hotel Abakash (First Class Hotel, 40 A/C suites/rooms–80 beds, Restaurant 100 seating, Banquet Hall 125 seating, 200 buffet, Conference Room–35 seating, Pastry Shop; Suites and A/C Rooms with Colour TV with satellite, hot and cold running water) Golfers' Inn (Deluxe Restaurant–250 seating and Bar). Joy Restaurant, Savar (First Class Restaurant–100 seating). Mary Anderson Floating Restaurant, Paglaghat (First Class Restaurant and Bar–80 seating). Waterfront Restaurant (Fast Food Restaurant–30 seating, snacks and boat facilities). Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka

Rent-A-Car Service (a fleet of comfortable and luxury A/C and non-A/C Cars, Microbuses and Coasters), Sightseeing tours and River Cruises, Picnic spots and Chandra and Shalna, Dutyfree Shop at Dhaka International Airport, Osmany International Airport, Sylhet; Diplomats and Privileged Persons Tax-free Shop.

Cox's Bazar :
Hotel Shaibal (Deluxe Hotel, 24 A/C suites/rooms–48 beds, Sagarika Restaurant–130 seating, Swimming pool, Sunbathing deck, Tennis, Health Club, Colour TV with satellite, hot and cold running water, Squash, Conference Hall – 100 seating, video games, Indoor games, Gift shop). Motel Upal (Standard, 38 A/C and non A/C rooms–74 beds, hot and cold running water, Bangladesh Biman Office, Gift Shop), Motel Probal (Moderate – 36 non A/C twin rooms, Panahar Restaurant– 50 seating), Motel Labonee (Economy – 60 non A/C twin rooms, Conference Hall), Honeymoon Cottage (1st Classt A/C, Non-AC twin room, small cottage, 5 Nos. lounge, a pantry).

Chittagong :
Motel Shaikat (Standard 2 A/C suites, 26 A/C and non A/C twin rooms, Restaurant–60 seating).

Rangpur :
Parjatan Motel (Standard 2 A/C suite, 32 A/C and non A.C twin room, Restaurant 100 seating, Conference Hall 150 seating, Colour TV, hot and cold running water).

Rangamati :
Parjatan Motel (1st Class 18 A/C and non A/C twin room, Labiyat Restaurant 32 seating, Cottage, Picnic Spot, Lake Cruise by Engine boat, Hanging Bridge).

Rajshahi :
Parjatan Motel (Standard 38 A/C and non A/C room, Mahananda Restaurant 40 seating, Conference Hall 100 seating, Shopping Arcade).

Kanta Mandir (Hindu Temple), Dinajpur Bogra :Parjatan Motel (Standard 17 A/C and non A/C room, Karotoa Restaurant 60 seating).

Dinajpur :Parjatan Motel (Standard 7 A/C and non A/C room).

Kuakata :Parjatan Motel (Standard 10 A/C and non A/C room, Dormitory 30 bed).

Sylhet :Parjatan Motel (Standard 26 A/C and non A/C room, Restaurant 60 seating).

Madhabkunda :Picnic Sport, Rest room and toilet facility.

At present the tourism environment in Bangladesh is very good and congenial. Bangladesh parjatan Corporation has taken up plans to establish new facilities in areas like Banderban, Khagrachari, Benapole, Mongla and other areas of tourist interest. Efforts are being made to provide cheaper accommodation and transport for the tourists, domestic as well as foreign. It is hoped that in the new millennium, Bangladesh would be able to attract increasing number of tourists from abroad. At the same time, local tourism is getting momentum.

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