Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked officials to expedite development of existing and prospective tourist spots as per the master plan adopted last December.
She came up with the directive in a meeting of the Bangladesh Tourist Council at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Wednesday, reports BSS.
She also urged the officials to take necessary measures to encourage locals in tourism and to explore the local tourism potential.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, chairperson of the council, was presiding over the meeting.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury said 2016 would be observed in Bangladesh as "Visit Bangladesh Year 2016" in order to expedite development and flourish the tourism industry.”
The government has allocated around Tk200 crore for this purpose for the next three years.
At the meeting, it was informed that a master plan is being prepared to make the adjacent area of the mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj as an attractive tourist spot, keeping intact the rural beauty of that area.
The meeting also discussed Bangladesh's joining the international river cruise, connecting Chennai of India through Andaman, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia and thus ending up at Singapore.
The PM's press secretary said the meeting also discussed simplifying on-arrival visa, introducing long-term multiple visa and e-visa to make the country's tourism sector more attractive for foreigners.
Speaking at the meeting, the prime minister said Bangladesh would be an attractive tourist spot for foreigners if the tourism plan is followed through in the existing tourist sites, and archaeological and religious establishments.
"Sea beaches are not only our tourist destinations. But our rivers, hills, old heritages, establishments, relics, tea-gardens and scenic areas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are also attractive tourist sites," she said.
Putting utmost importance on creating tourism awareness among the country's people, the prime minister said domestic tourism should be promoted.
Otherwise, she said, foreign tourists would not be drawn to the nation.
The prime minister asked the officials to build Cox's Bazar as a planned tourist town, making an exclusive zone for foreigners.
She said a marine drive would be built in Kuakata, a place where tourists have a rare opportunity to enjoy both sunrise and sunset.
She laid importance on creating package tourist programmes with Nepal and Bhutan, saying such packages would help Himalayan tourists to visit Bangladesh to enjoy the charming beauty of the sea.
Bangladesh can be linked with Maldives, Sri Lanka and India in operating ocean cruises, she said.
The prime minister urged the officials to expedite the process of bringing the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, under eco-tourism.