BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 13 JULY 2024:
Delay in issuing visas has been a major issue on both sides of the border leading to a lot of trouble for visitors and tourists and now the Sheikh Hasina Government in Bangladesh is working on a plan to introduce E- Visa ( online) systems and it is expected by the end of this year it will be introduced.
Talking exclusively to The Travel and Tourism Times at the sidelines of the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2024, Smt. Sanjeeda Sharmin, deputy secretary of ministry of civil aviation and tourism of the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has informed that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has undertaken several measures to boost the tourism in the country and the Padma Setu has already become a game changer.
“ Our government has brought a new Draft Tourism Master Plan for further boost of tourism and has prepared a project based on 14 themes spread over 8 zones of the country and 1498 spots have been identified. The tourism destinations in the river areas will be developed in a phase wise manner,” she added. She is leading an eleven member delegation team from Bangladesh in TTF Kolkata 2024.
She has said that the Bangladesh government is keen to introduce cruise tourism between the neighbouring South East Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka and is working upon a plan, besides it has also plans to start a Buddhist Tourism Circuit connecting with India and Thailand.
Smt. Sanjeeda Sharmin further added that both India and Bangladesh are culturally and geo politically well connected. People of both ‘ Epar Bangla’ and ‘Opar Bangla’ love each other’s cuisines.
Two major airports of Bangladesh are getting renovated and the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is undergoing a massive renovation and will be set up like the Changi Airports of Singapore. It is tipped to change the international airspace scenario of the country, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Also the Cox Bazar domestic airport is undergoing a revival and is expected to be finished in 2025. Both these airports will boost domestic and international air connectivity and help tourism.
There are two own five star hotels of the Bangladesh government besides thousands of motels spread all around Bangladesh.
Focus is also given on development of spiritual tourism destinations.
People from India often visit The coral island of St. Martin Island during the months of November to April and Haor ( a wetland ecosystem in the north eastern part of Bangladesh) during the monsoon season, she added.
The Sylhet forests and Ratargul Forests also draw huge tourist footfalls.
The Mango festival is very popular in Rajshahi, which is known as the mango capital of Bangladesh.
And to promote gastronomy tourism Bangladesh Tourism Board organizes in Dhaka the famous Bangladesh Food Festival, where authentic Bangladeshi cuisine is served.
The Mango festival was held on 6 and 7 July this year at Rajshahi. The Dussehra festival takes place in eight zones.
In Moinamoti , Paharpur, Somapura Mahavidyalaya ( where the Buddhist monks used to study many centuries ago) are being revived.
“ Besides upgrading the basic infrastructure of our tourism spots we are also taking part in road shows to boost the tourism of the country,”she added.
EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL BANGLADESH :
Bangladesh is a country that offers a diverse range of attractions for tourists, from ancient archeological sites like the renowned Somapura Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to natural wonders like to Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forests on earth, the longest sea beach in the world, the picturesque Saint Martin’s Island and the scenic Sylhet with its tea gardens and waterfalls.
The country’s rich history and culture are also reflected in its museums, temples and historical buildings such as Lalbagh Fort, the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and the Ahsan Manzil. Overall, Bangladesh offers a unique and enriching experience for tourists with its diverse attractions, rich history and welcoming people, whether you are interested in exploring ancient ruins, relaxing on a beach, or immersing yourself in the local culture.
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