Maiden tourism master plan to gain 10 pc GDP share

PM Hasina-led government is putting utmost effort to implement the country’s first-ever tourism master plan by December this year in line with the attainment of SDG goals and to turn a ‘Prosperous Bangladesh’envisioned by the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Lenin Rahman

The incumbent government led by the heroic Prime Minister is implementing thecountry’s first-ever tourism master plan by December this year in a bid to build a sustainable tourism industry in line with the attainment of SDG goals and to turn a ‘Prosperous Bangladesh’ envisioned by the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In recent years, the tourism sector is contributing approximately 4 percent share of the gross domestic product, but such income from the said sector would increase significantly after implementing the tourism master plan.

“Bangladesh has a lot of potentiallity to gain higher income from the tourism sector which would help attain sustainable development goals (SDGs) and maintain steady the growth of the country.The tourism sector development mechanism is going on the right under the dynamic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to gain at least 10 percent income share of GDP in line with achieving sustainable and vibrant economy of Bangladesh”, said Managing Director of Hotels International Limited Dr. Md. Aminur Rahman told the Daily tribunal in an exclusive interview at his office in the capital.

The government has undertakena massive plan in bolstering the tourism sector as well as generating more employment, he informed. “The ruling government vowed to make a prosperous Bangladesh, so, we all have to put our sincere effort to materialize the noble initiative of the Premier”, he further added.

The government is providing policy and logistic and policy supports for the further improvement of the tourism sector as per the agenda of the master plan, he also informed.
The Premier declared Tk 1000 crore stimulus loan packages to restart the affected stakeholders from the adversity of the pandemic, he said adding that the government also declared Tk 7,000 budgetary allocation for implementing multifarious development projects in the tourism sector, said the minister.

As part of the tourism master plan, already Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) is seeking quality PPP (Public Private Partnership) project proposals from local and foreign stakeholders in implementing impact-oriented development projects, said Rahman. On the other hand, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) is implanting time-befitting development projects for the further flourishment of the country’s tourism sector. “We have a lot of unrecognized tourist spots which are capable to attract the local and international tourists and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister is providing necessary policy support both the BTB and BPC to explore such undisclosed beauty of Bangladesh”, added Dr. Md Aminur Rahman who is also an Additional Secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

The introduction of tourist police is really praiseworthy for ensuring the security of the local and foreign tourists. Under the tourism master plan, the government is implementing multifarious infrastructure development projects”, added the Secretary.

The much-awaited master plan will play a multi-dimensional positive impact on the economy of the country, Rahman hoped. Already, the country’s tourism income increased significantly for the opening of the rhetoric Padma Bridge, Rahman mentioned. “The dream project of the countrymen specifically ‘Padma Bridge’ not only raised the tourism income but improved the livelihood of the local community”, he added. Infrastructure development is a must to gain higher income from the tourism, hospitality, and aviation industry, Rahman observed. “We are focusing to ensure international standard facilities for the entire tourism sector. Construction of the 3rd terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is progressing in full swing and we are hopeful that it will be complete by next year. After completing the said mega project, the income of the tourism, hospitality, travel, and aviation industry in the country. We would be able to attract more foreign tourists to visit our Almighty blessed natural beauty as well as to attain the expected level of contribution to the government exchequer”, said Dr. Md Aminur Rahman.