Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan has stressed the need for inter-ministerial coordination to develop the tourism sector in Rangamati.
He said there was no alternative to attracting foreign tourists if the heritage, culture and natural beauty of the hill region were to be presented to the world.
The minister made the comments as chief guest at an exchange of views titled “Development of the Tourism Sector in the Chittagong Hill Tracts,” organised by the Rangamati Resort Owners Association at Bargi Lake Valley in Rangamati on Sunday night.
The event was chaired by Rangamati Resort Owners' Association President Tanoy Dewan and moderated by its General Secretary Sumedha Chakma.
Rainya Tugun Eco Resort Director Lalit C Chakma, Nila Chakma, Bappi Tanchangya and Ribhu Chakma, among others, also spoke at the event.
At the meeting, resort owners highlighted different problems and prospects of Rangamati’s tourism sector.
Speakers said the renovation of Shuvolong Waterfall and the Hanging Bridge had become urgent. They said the bridge goes under water when the water level of Kaptai Lake rises during the monsoon, causing inconvenience to tourists.
They also demanded the construction of public toilets for tourists along the Asambasti-Kaptai road, the establishment of a boat terminal in Rangamati town and initiatives to develop a skilled workforce for the tourism sector.
Resort owners alleged that the electricity supply remains suspended for long periods every Friday and Saturday on the pretext of maintenance work, causing serious inconvenience to tourists and resort businesses.
In his speech, Dipen Dewan said: “The people of the hill region are not industrialists. Many have built resorts with great difficulty by selling inherited property or land. The government welcomes their initiative.”
He said financial incentives and a safe investment environment should be ensured for tourism entrepreneurs.
“We have to earn not just money, but dollars. If foreign tourists come, the country’s economy will also benefit,” the minister said, adding that he had discussed the matter with the civil aviation and tourism minister.
Referring to various security concerns as reasons behind the low number of foreign tourists visiting the CHT, the minister said: “Security is important, but the tourism sector cannot be neglected in the name of security.”
He said such problems could be resolved through coordinated efforts among the CHT affairs ministry, home ministry, foreign affairs ministry and civil aviation/tourism ministry.
He also called on the media to play a positive role.
The minister further said the natural beauty of Kaptai Lake must be protected, as it is one of the main attractions of tourism in the hill region.
He urged the district administration, the three hill district councils, police and resort owners to work together to ensure tourists’ safety.
The CHT affairs minister assured the resort owners of all-out government cooperation in implementing the proposals raised at the meeting and resolving the problems discussed.
