(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor)
Chattogram : Chattogram is the second largest city of Bangladesh and a port city aged over 1000 years. The division is rich in biodiversity and the most potential place of tourism in the country. However, the tourism industry of Chattogram needs more attention.
This was said by Mahbubul Alam, President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry at an interview with The Bangladesh Monitor during TripLover's Chittagong Tourism Mart held on January 6-8.
Chattogram is one of the most popular places for tourism for its Hill Tracts, ethnic diversity, and religious heritages. However, Cox's Bazar is always paid more attention for tourism, even though foreigners have their eyes on Chattogram too for tourism purposes.
In response, Mahbubul Alam said, the greater Chattogram is naturally a God-gifted place of Bangladesh, aged over 1000 years old. The place attracted famous international travellers like Ibna Batuta, Hueng Shung and many others.
A Chinese Admiral called the Chittagong port as 'Chi-ta-gong' meaning a big lucky port. Different nations like the Arabs, Turks, Portuguese and others came here for business.
Its natural beauty, economy, and politics attracted several visitors from home and abroad.
The CCCI President mentioned that lack of connectivity is the main challenge coming in the way of tourism in the region. 'We have to develop Dhaka-Chattogram road to eight lanes, and the airport too. We need more external and internal connectivity that will attract local and foreign tourists further.'
Establishing 30,000 acre long Bangabandhu Industrial Zone will attract more foreign direct investment and in turn it will contribute to the growth of industries, trade and tourism, he further added.
Asked about how to facilitate more investment in CHT's tourism, Mahbubul Alam said, the problem is to get land in CHT. The local investors are also eager but they do not have enough capacity to invest.
The government should come forward to ease policies to get land (buy or lease), develop modern security system, and tourist spots.
The tourism Board should take the matter seriously and resolve the issues.
This way, the private sector will be encouraged to come forward to invest in the area.
Also, it is difficult to get permissions for foreigners to visit CHT. Each district of the CHT has different policies.
On this note, Mahbubul Alam mentioned about a“Unnayan Parishad'. 'The Chairman along with the local Member of Parliament and the Divisional Commissioner, who is the Administrative Head of the Area, can make a single policy for the foreigners, that will allow more of them to visit the area. This will ensure more investment for the region.'
About the region's potential, Mahbubul said, more and more five-star hotels are coming up in Chattagram and Cox's Bazar. Hence, the expected tourism investment in the region could be BDT 100 million in the next five years, said Mahbubul.
'A marine drive from Mirersarai to Teknaf is underway that will draw attention of the investors.'
'Religious tourism will also develop here soon since Sitakundu is important for both Hindus and Buddhists. Cox's Bazar will also witness religious tourism growth as it boasts key Buddhist places too,' claimed the Presdient of CCCI.
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