Beach, sea tourism essential to tap country's blue economy potential

Dhaka : More amusement facilities for foreign tourists in beach towns are essential to help the tourism sector make a significant contribution to the blue economy, urged Rear Admiral (Retd) Khurshed Alam, Secretary at the Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at an event titled "Role of Tourism Sector in Blue Economy of Bangladesh" on May 29.
"We have 75 islands. Yet, we are not utilising those in a planned way to attract foreign tourists," he added, while urging the authorities to facilitate private entrepreneurs so that they come forward with cruise vessels that will bring in foreign travellers.
"Many tourists want to see fishing in the sea, which is very common in the Maldives. If we can introduce such arrangements here in the Bay of Bengal, foreigners will also come to Bangladesh," said Prof Nurul Islam Nazem, Deputy Team Leader of IPE Global working on the tourism masterplan assigned by the government.  
He mentioned they are focusing on beach tourism and cruise ship tourism.
The Chief Guest State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali assured they will take initiatives so that private investors can operate cruise ships without facing any bureaucratic tangle.              
The State Minister further mentioned, works of three special tourism parks in Cox's Bazar - Naf Tourism Park, Sabrang Tourism Park and Sonadia Eco Tourism Park - are underway and is are expected to create employment for 2 lac people and economic activities worth USD 2.0 billion per year.