The tourism sector, which has immense prospect to play an important role in boosting the economy, could perform better if political stability could be ensured in the country, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan said Friday.
He said political confrontation on the streets and violence unleashed by the opposition BNP and Jamaat have been the major obstacles to flourishing the country’s tourism industry as the tourists are discouraged with such activities.
“Violent activities cast a negative impact on tourists. Our opposition should understand that for the sake of the economy and the country’s image,” Faruk Khan told UNB.
The minister said tourists from home and abroad had to suffer a lot as they got stuck in Cox’s Bazar during Eid holidays due to a recent hartal, and the government had to arrange special flights for bringing them back from the beach town.
Referring to his conversations with tourists from various countries, the minister said they are happy with everything, especially the natural beauty, but they expressed their disappointment over political instability.
He said the government has taken various steps to increase facilities for the tourists which are already visible.
Domestic airports have been renovated to attract increased number of tourists, both from home and abroad, to the tourist hubs. Besides, steps have been taken to connect Cox’s Bazar with Chittagong and expressed his hope that it will be implemented soon.
Faruk Khan said infrastructure development and ensuring better facilities for the tourists are important. “The government has concentrated on these issues.”
He said Bangladesh is giving maximum number of countries on-arrival visa facility, which is also giving a boost to the tourism sector, adding, steps have been taken to set up an exclusive zone, protected swimming zone with net and sports zone at Cox’s Bazar beach to facilitate tourists from home and abroad.
