Comprehensive Security for Tourists Must Be Ensured

Bangladesh is entering its peak tourism season, spanning from winter through the onset of the monsoon, as millions of tourists prepare to visit its unique natural attractions. The nation boasts exceptional resources, including the world’s longest unbroken natural sandy beach, an exquisite 80-kilometre Marine Drive, the Sundarbans mangrove forest, and Kuakata’s coastline offering both sunrise and sunset views. Regions like Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Sylhet, and Mymensingh attract travellers with lush hills, while Cox’s Bazar draws an average of 5 to 6 million visitors annually. To increase this figure to 10 million, authorities have organised a three-month Beach Carnival this year, highlighting the massive economic potential of the sector.

A rapidly expanding commercial ecosystem has developed around these prime destinations, generating significant economic activity and localised employment opportunities. Cox’s Bazar alone houses over 500 hotels and motels, alongside 2,500 temporary resorts and 250 permanent establishments along Marine Drive, with resort infrastructure similarly expanding across hilly districts. A wide array of businesses, including restaurants, clothing stores, and fruit markets, continue to thrive around these primary tourist hubs. Analysts believe that systematically developing even a single segment of this high-potential sector could yield massive economic gains, while making all tourist spots visitor-friendly would unlock a major revenue stream for both domestic and foreign currency, turning tourism into a major driver of growth.

In comparison to regional neighbours, Bangladesh has yet to leverage its natural advantages for economic growth fully. The Maldives generates substantial foreign currency and employment through 130 resorts attracting 7 to 8 million international visitors annually, while Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka benefit immensely from structured tourism. Furthermore, nations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore earn massive foreign exchange by offering security, smooth transport networks, and modern amenities under strict regulation. Observers emphasise that if Bangladesh structures its tourism sector systematically while ensuring security and facilities, it could transform into a major economic pillar, provided there is coordinated, well-executed planning and long-term commitment from relevant administrative bodies.

Unlocking urban and water-based tourism potential could also revolutionise Bangladesh’s global appeal, particularly through capital-centred initiatives. It is often said that no city in the world quite compares to Dhaka, which is surrounded by rivers and interwoven with canals, lakes, and wetlands like a floating lotus. Developing the Buriganga River for tourism and connecting it along routes extending to the Padma and Meghna rivers could attract large numbers of foreign tourists. Furthermore, freeing the capital’s surrounding rivers from illegal occupation and pollution while restoring their navigability would create immense, enduring tourism value. Realising these visionary projects requires genuine initiative, decisive policy decisions, and timely execution by decision-makers.

Despite immense potential, severe shortcomings in communication networks and security remain major obstacles to peaceful vacations for travelling families and groups. Dilapidated access roads force travellers to spend a significant portion of their vacation time merely enduring gruelling journeys, while security concerns persist upon arrival. Despite the presence of the Tourist Police, operational laxity is routinely observed, leaving visitors vulnerable to harassment, swindlers, and snatchers. Relevant authorities frequently make grand assurances, yet no permanent measures have been put in place to eliminate these fears, leaving serious doubts regarding whether transport routes have been sufficiently smoothed or security strengthened for the upcoming peak travel season.

To address these critical bottlenecks immediately, observers urge swift infrastructure repairs and heightened security operations before the travel season fully commences. Carrying out necessary road repairs during the upcoming Durga Puja holiday window presents an ideal opportunity to ensure smooth and uninterrupted travel logistics for visitors. Concurrently, the Tourist Police and relevant administrative authorities must enforce tight security measures, including continuous police patrolling and active surveillance, to deter criminals and respond promptly to incidents. Comprehensive measures ranging from transport logistics to round-the-clock destination security must be implemented without delay, allowing tourists to travel freely and comfortably day and night across Bangladesh.