With an aim to help shape the future of sustainable tourism in Bangladesh’s premier coastal destination, a national seminar on Responsible Tourism for Cox’s Bazar: Practices, Governance, and Partnerships was held recently at Ocean Paradise Hotel, Cox's Bazar.
Organized under the Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar (ISEC) project of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and implemented by Enroute International Limited, with support from Global Affairs Canada, the day-long seminar convened policymakers, private sector leaders, tourism professionals, and community representatives to explore inclusive, climate-resilient pathways for the district’s tourism growth.
The event featured opening remarks from Nuzhat Yasmin, Additional Secretary and CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, who emphasized that responsible tourism must go hand in hand with environmental protection.
“Tourism cannot thrive at the cost of nature. Our goal is to develop destinations that are resilient, inclusive, and environmentally adaptive,” she said.
Md Moazzem Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Youth Development, highlighted the importance of equipping local youth and women with soft skills relevant to the tourism sector and urged hotels and restaurants to employ trained youth while ensuring decent working conditions.
Two high-level panel sessions fostered meaningful dialogue among industry leaders, experts, and community voices.
The first session, Empowering Women and Youth through Decent Work and Inclusive Growth in the Tourism Sector, featured speakers including Sadia Haque, CEO of ShareTrip; Zahanara Islam, President of Cox’s Bazar Women Chamber of Commerce; and Reaz Ahmed, Editor of The Dhaka Tribune. Discussions underscored the need to make tourism a more respected and gender-balanced profession, amplify success stories of women entrepreneurs, and improve sector-wide coordination.
The second session, Building Climate-Resilient Destinations: Policy, Innovation, and the Future of Responsible Tourism, gathered policymakers and experts such as Prof. Dr. Shoeb Ur Rahman from the University of Dhaka and Maung Aye Khen, President of Rakhine Sustainable Development Organization, who highlighted indigenous knowledge and adaptive community practices as key to sustainable tourism governance.
Max Tunon, Country Director of ILO Bangladesh, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to building a tourism sector that creates decent work opportunities and empowers local communities. Abu Daud Khan, MD & CEO of Enroute International Limited, emphasized the need for continued collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure climate-resilient destination management and responsible entrepreneurship.
In addition, the seminar marked the official handover of the Hotel Safety Management Software - "Safe Entry" to Cox’s Bazar Police, a crucial step toward enhancing tourism safety and security in the region. The handover was led by M. Naveed Akbar, National Programme Manager, ILO.
The seminar also featured the unveiling of the Destination Development Plan for Cox’s Bazar book cover, an important milestone for the future of sustainable tourism in the area. This was done in the presence of Nuzhat Yasmin, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, and Max Tuñón, Country Director of ILO Bangladesh.
The seminar also featured an interactive exhibition showcasing eco-friendly hospitality solutions, community-based souvenirs, traditional cuisine, and destination-themed experiences curated by women and youth entrepreneurs from Cox’s Bazar. The event concluded with a cultural evening celebrating the region’s vibrant heritage and local talent.
The National Seminar on Responsible Tourism reaffirmed that sustainable tourism is not only an economic opportunity but a shared responsibility, one that requires inclusive governance, innovation, and strong community partnerships to secure Cox’s Bazar’s future as a model for responsible and resilient tourism in Bangladesh.
