1,498 tourism sites to come under integrated development plan

Bangla Press Desk: Bangladesh is finalising an integrated tourism master plan covering around 1,498 tourism sites across the country in a bid to attract domestic and international visitors, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, told parliament on Sunday.

The minister made the disclosure during the question-and-answer session of the Jatiya Sangsad in response to a question from reserved women's seat MP Shawkat Ara Akter. The sitting was chaired by Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikrom.

Millat said the government had taken a range of initiatives to attract domestic and foreign tourists and develop the country's tourism attractions in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Work has already begun on formulating the National Tourism Policy 2026, he said.

He said around 1,498 tourism sites had been identified nationwide and work was under way to finalise an integrated tourism master plan for their planned development.

The minister said the plan was intended to bring greater coordination to the development of tourism infrastructure and services, while ensuring that the country's natural, cultural and historical attractions were preserved. Sustainable tourism, he suggested, would be particularly important in protecting environmentally sensitive destinations from unplanned development and excessive tourist pressure.

The government is also working on a Tourism Satellite Account to address gaps in tourism-sector data and facilitate evidence-based and planned development of the industry, the minister said.

He added that initiatives had been taken to develop tourism sites under a community-based tourism model, with local communities directly involved in tourism activities. The approach is expected to create new livelihood opportunities while allowing communities living around major tourist attractions to benefit directly from the growth of the sector.

The government is also planning to increase the strength of the Tourist Police to improve security for visitors, particularly at major tourist destinations.

To promote cultural tourism, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs have decided to sign a memorandum of understanding aimed at working jointly in the sector, Millat said.

Following the signing, work will begin on preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), while a joint taskforce will be formed to accelerate implementation of the planned initiatives.

The government is also working on developing the Beautiful Bangladesh website, beautifulbangladesh.gov.bd, as part of efforts to brand Bangladesh as an international tourism destination.

The initiatives come as Bangladesh seeks to expand tourism as a source of employment, local economic activity and foreign exchange. Officials have increasingly emphasised the need to move beyond isolated tourism projects and develop destinations through coordinated planning, better infrastructure, improved visitor services and stronger international promotion.

The master plan, once finalised, is expected to provide a broader framework for identifying investment priorities and improving connectivity and facilities at tourism sites across the country.