Dhaka, Bangladesh – World Tourism Day is being celebrated today in Bangladesh, mirroring celebrations around the globe. Various programs and initiatives have been organized across the country to mark the day. The theme for this year, as designated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is ‘Tourism for Sustainable Development.’
Tourism serves as a catalyst in the development process, fostering goodwill, understanding, and friendship among different countries, cultures, and peoples. Beyond the mere absence of war, tourism plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious environment by helping to mitigate social, cultural, religious, economic, and environmental violence.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day, Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in a message, stated that Bangladesh is one of the most promising countries in South Asia for the tourism sector. He stressed the need for the younger generation to step forward and contribute to the development of this industry to ensure its proper growth.
The Chief Advisor noted that tourism is currently recognized worldwide as a major driving force for sustainable development. He added that the tourism industry has a significant direct and indirect role in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development.
Dr. Yunus further commented that the growth of the tourism sector is simultaneously accelerating the overall development of the country’s tourist regions and raising awareness for the preservation of local traditions, culture, and the environment. He thus deemed this year’s UNWTO theme, ‘Tourism for Sustainable Development,’ to be appropriate and significant.
Since 1980, the UNWTO has been observing this day with due dignity in all member countries to promote and advance tourism globally.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, its subordinate departments and agencies, the Tourist Police, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations have adopted comprehensive programs to celebrate the day with great enthusiasm.
According to data from the Bangladesh Tourism Board, the number of foreign visitors to the country was 500,665 in 2017 and 552,730 in 2018. The highest number of foreign visitors was recorded in 2019, reaching 621,131. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this number dropped to 181,518 in 2020 and 135,186 in 2021. About 150,000 foreign visitors came in 2022, and the count reached 214,000 by August 2023. The official figures for the entire last year are yet to be received by the Tourism Board.
However, a concerning detail from the World Economic Forum’s 2022 ‘Travel and Tourism Development Index’ shows Bangladesh ranked 109th among 119 countries globally, which is the lowest ranking in South Asia.
