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Adequate policy and logistic support are needed to revamp the business of the travel industry, says Rhythm Group MD Shohag Hossain
Jasmine Akter
Prime Minister Hasina-led government has undertaken a business-boosting mechanism in a bid to boost the tourism sector in line with SDGs attainment and to turn the country into a prosperous Bangladesh envisioned by the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“At present, the tourism sector is contributing approximately 4 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is not adequate against the potentiality of the country. Considering the necessity of promoting the country’s tourism and economy, the incumbent government is implementing a master plan for the entire tourism sector by improving the tourism infrastructure and ensuring the international standard security and services for the tourists, especially for the overseas tourists”, told Shohag Hossain, Managing Director of Rhythm Group
Actually, the tourism sector is facing multifarious challenges including the lack of infrastructure, poor law and order, and absence of a tourist-friendly attitude among people are major challenges for expanding tourism in the country.
Bangladesh has drawn about 3,23,295 record tourists from around the world in the year 2019 which is 21 percent higher than in 2018, according to the BTB (Bangladesh Tourism Board) data.
The BTB also disclosed that the second highest of 7,225 tourists visited from the United States, followed by 7,004 came from China and 4,195 came from Japan taking third and fourth positions respectively.
“The current tourists visiting from the overseas country is not satisfactory against our potentiality. If we ensure improved infrastructure, international standard hospitality and airports, security, and other facilities, we can attract more foreign tourists in the country. We are failing to attract overseas tourists on a large scale mainly for a lack of international standard tourism services. We are still lagging behind in ensuring the global standard services for overseas tourists which is the major obstacle in attracting the expected level of overseas tourists. The improved infrastructure can ensure the number of overseas tourists which would help generate more income for the government exchequer and the economy as well”
Skilled manpower is another challenges for the tourism sector, but the government has already undertaken initiatives to create skilled manpower in the country, he added.
Turning his attention toward the challenges of the tourism sector, Shohag Hossain said that many stakeholders including the hospitality and travel industry were forced to shut down their businesses from the pandemic adversity.
Premier Sheikh Hasina declared stimulus loan packages worth Tk 1,000 crore for the affected stakeholders to restart their businesses after the pandemic adversity, but it is very unfortunate that the actual stakeholders did receive a nominal part of the business revamping mechanism of the ruling government, mentioned Shohag Hossain.
Talking on the business profile of his company namely Rhythm Group, Shohag Hossain said that Rhythm Group is a market leader of Bangladesh in Travel Agency, Airlines GSA, Trading, Textile as well as Press and Printing industry.
Commitment to providing innovative and customized solutions from a singular source is paramount to Rhythm Group. The Group’s primary business activities include travel agencies, Airlines GSA, Transportation Solutions, Textile as well as Press and Printing, and strategic investment opportunities which avail the region.
Consistently working together with its subsidiaries to meet customer demands and expectations, Rhythm Group’s strong financial position is backed by partnerships with global leaders and a solid operational infrastructure.
While the organization is rapidly growing and expanding its presence in the region, the Company has embarked on a 25-year history in different sectors with quality services.