Find Tourism and Travel partners in Bangladesh

Overview

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) the travel and tourism industry contributed BDT381.6bn to the economy of Bangladesh in 2011, and supported 2,880,500 jobs, including those indirectly supported, accounting for 4.1% of total employment in the country. This placed it 155th in the world (out of 181 countries) in terms of the industry’s relative contribution to the economy, with a 4.7% share of GDP, compared to the world average of 14% (WTTC 2011). In 2009 the country saw 267,000 tourist arrivals, with India remaining the country’s largest inbound market, accounting for nearly 60% of the total number of visitors in 2010. The number of arrivals from China, Japan and Australia also saw significant growth in that year, alongside an increase in business traffic as Bangladesh continues to emerge as a low-cost manufacturing centre. In 2011 visitor exports generated BDT6.9bn, constituting 5% of the total exports of the country.

The revamping of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the government tourism organisation, saw in 2010 an altered Tourism Policy and the establishment of the Bangladesh Parjatan Board and the National Tourism Council. The new board is still part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, rather than a separate tourism ministry. The Corporation manages numerous tourist attractions, accommodation and restaurant facilities in the country. A number of associations represent individuals and organisations in the industry, including Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, Tour Developers Association of Bangladesh and the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh.

Investment

Bangladesh boasts beautiful beaches, green countryside, diverse cultural life and world famous heritage sites – therefore much focus is to be placed on ecotourism and cultural/heritage tourism in the future. The country has suffered from a poor international image, due in part to continued natural disasters and the resulting portrayals by the media in developed countries. However, there are increasing efforts to market the country abroad, and to expand and diversify the tourism industry.

The potential for the industry has been greatly enhanced by recent developing air links. In particular, the links between Bangladesh and China were considerably strengthened in 2009 and 2010, with China Southern Airlines and Air China both experiencing growing numbers of travellers. Additionally, the latter half of 2010 saw discussions between the governments of China and Bangladesh about the creation of a new air link between Dhaka and Chongqing. A new link with India’s Jet Airways and Dhaka was also formed in 2010.

In 2011 investment in the travel and tourism industry was BDT24.3bn, constituting 1.7% of total investment. This was expected to rise by 6.5% in 2012, and then continue to grow by 6.7% pa over the following ten years, rising to BDT69.8bn in 2022.