Government to formulate tourism master plan
The master plan will be ready within the next 18 months
The government has taken an initiative for the first time in the country's tourism history to formulate a "tourism master plan" to properly brand Bangladesh before local and foreign tourists.
The master plan will be ready within the next 18 months.
The civil aviation and tourism ministry formally launched the initiative through a programme at the Cirdap auditorium in the capital on Sunday.
The master plan will be made in three stages: The current situation of the tourism sector will be analysed under the first stage; the vision, mission, strategic objectives, priorities, and linkage of the tourism sector will be made under the second stage, along with chalking up of the strategic plans of three, five and 15 years; the area-based plan will be undertaken under the third stage.
"Bangladesh will enter a new era of tourism prospects once the master plan is formulated by June 2021. The tourism sector will open up opportunities for huge investment and employment. We will become one of the most desired tourist destinations in Asia," said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali, while speaking at the event.
He urged both public and private stakeholders to help formulate the master plan.
Benjamin Cary, lead consultant of the master plan committee, told journalists that it will take a total of 18 months to finalise the master plan.
The committee comprising 20 members, including at least five foreign consultants, will work on formulating the plan.
"We will visit all the tourism spots across the country in the first six months. Then, we will begin other works.
"We will make an environment-friendly master plan," Cary added.
Among others, Md Mohibul Haque, secretary to the civil aviation and tourism ministry, Dr Bhubon Chandra Biswas, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board and Professor Nurul Islam Nazim, deputy team leader of the master plan committee, were also present at the event.