Despite its rich natural and cultural attractions, Bangladesh’s tourism sector continues to struggle due to a range of structural and policy shortcomings, industry insiders say.
Home to the world’s longest sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, the vast mangrove forest of Sundarbans, expansive haor wetlands, hill tracts, and ancient archaeological sites such as Mahasthangarh and Paharpur, the country offers diverse tourism experiences.
However, the sector has yet to realise its full potential, with low foreign tourist arrivals and limited growth in domestic tourism.
According to industry data, only 8.6 million foreign tourists have visited Bangladesh over the past 30 years. Tourist destinations also remain largely underutilised outside peak holiday seasons.
Economic potential remains untapped
Stakeholders say tourism is an emerging sector contributing around 4.4% to the country’s GDP and has the potential to generate significant employment and foreign currency earnings.
However, progress has been hindered by lack of coordination among government agencies, inadequate planning, and weak implementation.
“Bangladesh has 700–800 tourist attractions, from beaches and hills to archaeological heritage, but turning this potential into reality remains a challenge,” an industry insider said.
Key challenges
Experts and stakeholders have identified several major obstacles:
Infrastructure gaps:
Bangladesh ranks 109th globally in tourism infrastructure. Poor road conditions, traffic congestion, inadequate hotel facilities, and lack of modern amenities continue to deter visitors.
Weak aviation connectivity:
Limited international routes and high travel costs make Bangladesh less accessible. The country also lags behind regional peers in aviation development.
Lack of global promotion:
Unlike destinations featured widely on international platforms such as BBC or National Geographic, Bangladesh has minimal global visibility as a पर्यटन destination.
Security concerns:
Ensuring safety remains a critical issue for attracting foreign tourists, with concerns over crime and instability affecting perceptions.
Service and information deficits:
The sector suffers from a shortage of skilled manpower and lacks efficient information systems. Key tourism websites provide limited and outdated information.
High costs with limited services:
Tourism in Bangladesh is often more expensive compared to competing destinations, despite offering fewer facilities.
Low Western tourist inflow:
Most visitors come from neighbouring India, while Bangladesh attracts only a small share of tourists from Europe and North America, which dominate the global tourism market.
Official perspective
Nuzhat Yasmin, CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, acknowledged management challenges in the sector.
She said there is no proper capacity planning for tourist destinations, leading to overcrowding in some areas and underutilisation in others.
“Facilities are limited, while costs for food and accommodation are comparatively high,” she said, adding that poor road conditions also affect travel experiences.
Stakeholder concerns
Kazi Russell, former president of the Cox’s Bazar Resort Owners Association, said lack of coordination among agencies—including tourism authorities, local government bodies, and environmental regulators—remains a major issue.
He noted that better utilisation of Cox’s Bazar and ongoing development of its airport could boost both domestic and international tourism.
Shiblul Azam Qureshi, former president of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), said domestic tourism continues to sustain the sector despite low foreign arrivals.
“Problems are well known and discussed, but implementation remains weak,” he said.
Firoz Alam Sumon, joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Hotel-Restaurant Owners’ Association, stressed the need to ensure security and improve services to unlock the sector’s potential.
Way forward
Industry insiders say coordinated efforts between government and private stakeholders, along with improved infrastructure, global promotion, and policy reforms, are essential to transform tourism into a key economic driver.
They added that with proper planning and investment, Bangladesh could significantly increase foreign tourist arrivals and strengthen its position in the global tourism market.
