By Nicola Winter
Most of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) are avoided or overlooked by tourists. However, tourism can make valuable contributions to the economic growth of a country, and many LDCs have amazing things to offer their visitors. For those who wish to help make a difference in the world, there are great options for adventure and relaxation all while helping a developing country’s economy grow in a sustainable and eco-friendly fashion.
This Week: Bangladesh
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In 1973, Bangladesh established the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation with the objective of helping to build the county’s tourism industry. Despite this, the number of visitors and the industries impact on the overall economy remains far behind that of neighboring countries. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that in 2009, tourism and travel contributed only 4 percent to overall GDP, made up 3.2 percent of total employment, and generated 3.6 percent of total export earnings. These numbers are estimated to remain about the same over then next ten years as well. Professor Anwarul Islam from the University of Dhaka explained in an article in the monthly publication Forum that the problem is not that people do not feel tourism is helpful. Most everyone is in agreement that “Bangladesh should find a way of institutionalizing the tourism industry’s commitment to poverty alleviation through integrating social, environmental, and economic goals,” as Islam stated in his article. The problem is that the institutions and infrastructure in place to promote tourism are not effective. More needs to be done to draw people to Bangladesh so that the country can benefit as much as possible.
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| Rickshaws crowd the bustling streets of Dhaka (Photo credit: Creative commons) |
Bangladesh, over the years, has shown its ability to spring back from horrific wars and natural disasters and retain an appeal to travelers worldwide — and with good reason. Tourist highlights in Bangladesh include Sundarbans National park, home to the largest mangrove forest in the world and the rare Royal Bengal tiger, the whirlwind capital city of Dhaka, historical world heritage sites, and impressive beaches.
The ancient mosque city of Bagerhat and the Buddhist Vihara ruins at Paharpur are two World Heritage Sites. The latter dates back to the 7th century, and was once the largest monastery south of the Himalayas. Another site, Mahasthangarh, built in the 3rd century, is the oldest archeological site in the country, and still holds great significance to Hindus. The temples at Puthia are the largest concentration of historical Hindu buildings in Bangladesh. They are much newer than Bagerhat and Mahasthangarh, but no less impressive, and are less crowded than other sites. Cox’s Bazar is one of the most popular spots for both locals and tourists. Bangladesh’s coastline of 74.5 miles (120 km) is home to the longest beach in the world. Though certain spots along Cox’s Bazar do become crowded and touristy, other places along the beach are more deserted, and the area offers many other interesting things and activities. Kuakata is another beach that has become popular. It is the winter home to many birds, and the local customs of the people are still are prevalent in everyday life. The Sylhet Division is a lush green mountainous area, sparsely populated with tourists, and home to waterfalls and the largest tea gardens in the world at Srimongal. Finally, Dhaka has no shortage of things to explore. This dizzying and populous metropolis is a fascinating mixture of old, new, and a vast array of social classes. Visiting the many bazaars and buildings like Lalbagh Fort, as well as learning about Bangladesh’s history at the National Museum are just some of the interesting things Dhaka has to offer.
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| The ancient Buddhist ruins at Paharpur is a World Heritage Site. (Photo credit: Frances Voon) |
Being a responsible traveler is key to aiding development. Here are a few recommendations on travel companies, hotels, guide groups, and other travel aids that focus on sustainable tourism through being eco-friendly and operating in synch with local communities to raise living standards while preserving local culture.
Bangladesh Ecotours
This group consists of local tribal leaders, guides, ecologists, and tour operators working together to provide a sustainable source of income to local populations without impeding on their culture or the ecosystem. There are five different types of tours offered, or guests can choose to customize one. Their Website states that about 10 percent of Ecotours’ profits stay in the communities visited, and they also support a handful of community-based projects. Website: www.bangladeshecotours.com
Responsibletravel.com
This company offers two options in Bangladesh. The first focuses on seeing the highlights of the country, and the second “fair trade tour” brings travelers to different places where goods like hand woven fabrics and tea are produced in order to promote fair trade and interaction with the local communities. Each tour also offers an extensive explanation of its impact on sustainable development.
Website: www.responsibletravel.com
Travel to Care
This Website has an excellent list of eco-friendly and socially responsible accommodations for all budgets throughout Bangladesh. An explanation of how the establishment helps the environment and community is provided for each place reviewed, as are recommendations as to what to do in the surrounding area.
Website: www.traveltocare.com
Safety
There have been concerns about tourist safety in the past, though currently, no warnings are in effect against traveling to Bangladesh in general. Yet certain regions should be avoided. It is advised that travelers steer clear of the areas collectively known as The Chittagong Hill Tracts, where there have been reports of kidnappings, smuggling of drugs and arms, and violent clashes between various groups. As always, visitors should keep away from political and other demonstrations. Health risks include malaria, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and polio. Those planning a visit should make sure they are up to date with vaccines against these diseases and take anti-malaria drugs.
For more information on safety, visit:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1011.html
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/bangladesh.aspx
For more general information about visiting Bangladesh, please see the following sites:
www.discoverybangladesh.com
www.lonelyplanet.com/bangladesh
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/27/country_guide/Indian-Subcontinent/Bangladesh.html
