Can tourism bring sustainable development to Bangladesh?

Bangladesh is a low-income nation that has a high potential for tourism development.  Yet, only 148,000 tourists visited Bangladesh in 2015, compared to 26.5 million tourist arrivals in Thailand. Bangladesh is an example of a major country that has largely failed to develop its tourism industry. Despite having considerable potential, tourism has not been able to generate jobs and prosperity for many of its citizens. Bangladesh demonstrates that the tourism industry is not a ubiquitous development strategy that can easily bring wealth to developing nations.

Tourism resources include a 120 km long sandy beach overlooking the Bay of Bengal which Bangladesh claims to be the world's longest. Cox's Bazaar is the main coastal resort town along this coastline. Here you will find lush green hills that are attractive destinations for eco-tourists. Also, the Sundarbans World Heritage Site, is a large mangrove forest close that is close to India. The Sundarbans is famously home to the Bengal tiger but generates little income from tourists. The Tea District of Sylhet in the north-east of the country has enormous tourism potential.

Across Bangladesh, there are numerous archaeological remains, such as old palaces from former principalities. Buddhist monasteries, mosques and temples, also have untapped tourism potential.

Bangladesh: Tourism SWOT analysis

Strengths:

• Tourists are Bangladeshi middle and high class, plus some foreign visitors.
• Rich culture and history
• A variety of natural and cultural tourist destinations
• Some attractions are on the UNESCO World Heritage List
• Cheap transportation, but old and slow
• Off the beaten track. Bangladesh is still a fairly new and rarely visited tourist destination.

Opportunities:

• Strong linguistic, cultural and historical links with the expat Bangladeshi community in England. 
• Appeal to English speaking tourists
• Tourists that visit nearby countries such as Myanmar can also visit Bangladesh.

Cox's Bazaar ~ The World's longest beach

Weaknesses:

• The amount of rubbish is an eyesore for many holidaymakers
• Lack of tourism infrastructure
• Tourists require a guide or high level of knowledge to travel safely
• Short high season
• Conflicts between, Western and Muslim world
• Tourism development is uncontrolled and lacks good planning
• Lack of cooperation and innovation in the tourism industry of Bangladesh

​Threats:

• Infrastructural and technological development is required
• Low quality of roads and rail
• Climatic changes throughout the year has implications for travelling in Bangladesh
• Occasionally experiences harsh storms, floods and earthquakes
• Worldwide negative image of poverty with numerous natural catastrophes and corruption
• Natural and historical attractions are under threat from industrial development.

In conclusion, tourism is bringing about limited economic development in Bangladesh. The lack of tourism infrastructure is currently limiting Bangladesh from developing further. If Bangladesh is to compete with neighbouring countries, it will need to adopt a sustainable, ethical style of tourism that has international appeal.