Bangladesh Tourism Faces Challenges in 2024

A Land of Untapped Potential

Bangladesh boasts rich cultural heritage, including archaeological sites, historic mosques, and natural wonders like the world's longest beach and scenic tea gardens, offering vast tourism potential. Yet, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of a unified tourism development strategy keep the sector underdeveloped.

The 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index by the World Economic Forum ranked Bangladesh 109th out of 119 economies, and last among 19 Asia-Pacific countries.

The Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) reported 655,000 foreign visitors in 2024, a slight recovery from the pandemic's impact, but still below pre-pandemic levels of 621,131 in 2019.

Political and Environmental Challenges

This year saw recurring floods in Sylhet, political unrest after the Awami League government’s fall, and security concerns in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

Sylhet was hit by three major floods, causing damages of around Tk 50 crore. "The floods and political turmoil have greatly affected our businesses," said Khairul Huda Chapal, President of Sunamganj Chamber of Commerce.

Floods closed key tourist spots, and tensions in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, fueled by the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), disrupted travel in the region. Additionally, political instability, including internet shutdowns during July's student protests and uncertainties following Sheikh Hasina's resignation in August, further disrupted tourism.

Saint Martin’s Island Controversy

The government’s restrictions on tourism to Saint Martin’s Island, the only coral island in Bangladesh, ignited protests. While aimed at environmental conservation and a ban on single-use plastics, these measures have faced backlash.

Md Rafeuzzaman, President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), noted that 10,000 people rely on tourism here for their livelihoods. "These restrictions harm the livelihoods of many people," he said. TOAB has called for a balanced approach to protect both the environment and tourism.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Nasreen Jahan, Secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism, emphasized that tourism contributes 3.02% to Bangladesh’s GDP. Recognizing its importance, the National Industrial Policy 2022 identifies tourism as a key sector for employment growth.

Efforts are underway to finalize a Tourism Master Plan to attract investment and bring about improvements. Jahan expressed optimism that these initiatives could turn the sector into a major economic contributor.

Tour operators are hopeful that political stability under an interim government will restore confidence in the tourism industry. Addressing the political, infrastructure, and environmental challenges is crucial to unlocking the sector's potential, which could become a cornerstone of Bangladesh's economic growth.