Govt plans to make Cox’s Bazar an international tourism hub

Shamsul Haque Sharek

The government has taken steps to build Cox’s Bazar into an international tourism hub soon. This plan centers on the area’s long sea beach. Mr. M Rashiduzzaman Millat, the minister of civil aviation and tourism, announced a combined plan and master plan to revive the tourism sector and take it into international competition.

Speaking last Thursday, he said the government’s goal is to turn the country’s tourism potential into a planned, sustainable, and globally competitive industry. He said Cox’s Bazar will become a regional tourism hub built around its long natural sea beach. He also said the new Cox’s Bazar International Airport aims to attract foreign tourists.

Earlier, on July 23, a high level meeting was held at the Secretariat on Cox’s Bazar’s tourism and integrated development plan. The meeting decided to build Cox’s Bazar into an international and regional tourism hub as well as a commercial center.

After the meeting, Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the finance minister, said a combined master plan would be made for Cox’s Bazar. Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed, the home minister, said the goal is to finalize the master plan within 2026.

The government’s plan includes raising Cox’s Bazar’s tourism infrastructure to international standards. It also aims to combine transport, housing, entertainment, public services, and investment facilities. The master plan covers marking out eco friendly tourism zones, creating an investment friendly environment, and reviewing existing rules for the Marine Drive and coastal areas.

At the July meeting, the finance minister said areas chosen for tourism development need planned opportunities for hotels, motels, resorts, and entertainment centers. He also stressed the need to protect the environment during this development.

Transport links are seen as key to making Cox’s Bazar an international tourist destination. Rail service has already started there, and work on the international airport is moving forward. Plans also include better road links with Chattogram, along with a combined system connecting air, rail, and road transport.

The tourism minister said the new Cox’s Bazar International Airport aims to attract foreign tourists. Because of this, the government wants strong links between the airport, the beach, hotels and motels, and other tourist spots.

The government’s plan does not stop at tourism. It also wants Cox’s Bazar to become an important center for trade and services. The July meeting noted that growth in tourism, trade, and services could help Cox’s Bazar contribute more to the national economy.

Mr. M Rashiduzzaman Millat also spoke about growing the country’s wider tourism sector. He said the government must also use the tourism potential of the Sundarbans, Kuakata, the tea gardens of Sylhet, and the country’s rivers and wetlands. He said the goal is to plan these resources well and push Bangladesh’s tourism industry forward in global competition.

Protecting the environment matters just as much as building the tourism hub. The plan calls for careful, eco friendly development so that heavy tourist pressure does not harm the beach, hills, forests, wildlife, and coastal environment.

The plan includes marking eco friendly tourism zones and reviewing coastal development rules. Balancing growth in tourism infrastructure with environmental protection will be one of the biggest challenges ahead.

The tourism minister has also called for private sector and local community involvement alongside government efforts. He said tourism cannot reach international markets without a joint effort. He stressed the value of public private partnerships built on new and creative ideas.

Cox’s Bazar has many kinds of tourism potential. It has a vast beach, hills, islands, marine wildlife, and a location near an international border. If the government’s proposed master plan is carried out, these strengths could combine to make Cox’s Bazar a more attractive destination for local and foreign tourists alike.

Millions of local and foreign tourists visit Cox’s Bazar every year, drawn by the world’s longest natural sea beach. Business groups estimate that six to eight million tourists visit each year in recent times. More than 500 to 550 hotels, motels, resorts, and guesthouses have been built in the city and nearby tourist areas to house them.

Tourism supports thousands of crores of taka in economic activity each year across housing, restaurants, transport, tourism services, small businesses, and entertainment. Industry sources say hundreds of crores of taka change hands at hotels and other tourism businesses during the busy season alone. With planned and sustainable development, international standard infrastructure, and steady investment from home and abroad, Cox’s Bazar’s tourism sector could add much more to the national economy and create many jobs.