The Chittagong division is perhaps the most attractive place for both local and foreign
travellers. But not a single five-star hotel is there in the city of cater to
the needs of the overseas tourists. Experts in tourism sector opine that the
hospitality industry plays the main role in attracting tourists but it really
hasn’t developed in the port city.
On a different note, it wouldn’t be unfair
to say that had we been able to develop Chittagong-based tourism, the
hospitality industry would have developed automatically. But we haven’t cultivated
our resources to improve the existing tourist attractions in the city.
If you keep international guests in mind, presently
no international flights are landing at Chittagong airport. The foreign guests
only stop in Chittagong in transit. They stay in the city for about an hour and
then head for Cox’s Bazar.
The potential of the hospitality industry is huge. Radisson
has started working in Chittagong and Westin is looking for land here. Hotel
business would be very profitable in the city if the flight schedules were
rearranged for people. The number of hotels in Chittagong falls far short of
the demand. We have only 10 per cent hotels against the huge demand for them.
The private sector is just beginning to realize this fact that hospitality
business in Chittagong would be very profitable.
If we look around the city, we find that the
interesting locations have not been developed as tourist spots. Tomb of Bayazid Bostami at Nasirabad, World War II
cemetery, Shrine of shah Amanat, Court Building Museum on the Fairy Hill,
Batali Hill, Foy’s Lake, Mercantile Marine Academy, the sea beaches, the port
area itself, Ethnological and Zia museums and Sitakunda area are very
attractive locations. As far as the beaches are concerned, Patenga has always
been highlighted, but there are many beaches in Chittagong that could attract
the visitors. One of those is Parky beach which hasn’t been explored at all.
This needs to be developed as a site. Parky beach is so beautiful that one
could just drive his /her car into the sea.
The promotion of these sites is a major issue that
needs attention. No attempt to market these places has been seen in the last 40
years. Making these places popular should start immediately.
It’s worthwhile to mention that the port plays an
important role in Chittagong. But the vicinity around the port hasn’t received
proper attention of the authorities. The port can be a great place to visit for
both the local and overseas visitors. There are examples that many countries
have successfully turned their sea ports into places of attraction.
The world has learned to take the sheer fun out of
the shipping business by spending vacation onboard cruising to the most favorite
destinations around the world. The maritime history deciphers the anachronism
of the beautiful ancient ports which stand the test of time and persist as the
topographic points of interest. Many ports are the most beautiful destinations
for the travellers.
Dubrovnik in Croatia is the most prominent tourist
destination on the Adriatic Sea coast and the one of the World Heritage sites.
Venice is unprecedentedly one of the most popular Mediterranean major shipping
ports in maritime history and the cityscape, artistic cultural heritage and luxury
establishments furnish it as one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Similarly, Lisbon, Istanbul, Beijing, Athens, Stockholm, Kusadasi, Quebec City
are the best examples of tourist’s interest.
The infrastructure, along with various facilities,
of Chittagong is a major problem for the tourists. Many multinations’s had
their head offices in Chittagong, but they have all moved to Dhaka due to lack
of facilities in the city. The infrastructure is in a sorry condition.
Chittagong hasn’t developed in the last 40 years;
there’s only one main road- Baddarhat to Barik Building- which all the time
remains clogged with traffic.
Safety and security are important for the visitors
to move around Chittagong tourist spots. The tourists won’t come if the spots
are not secure for them.
Chittagong has immense potential to grow as a
tourist district. But we have to have the will to develop it.
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