Tourism can surpass RMG: Menon

Bangladesh’s tourism industry has the potential to earn more than what the ready-made garment sector does, the tourism minister has asserted.

Rashed Khan Menon says the tourism sector depends on the attitude of the people.

"It's not possible to develop tourism centre without local help," he told a programme in Chittagong on Thursday.

He said the clothing sector, Bangladesh economy's mainstay, added a faction of value after paying for raw materials like thread and kept only labour cost, while foreigners retained the rest.

File Photo

"Compared with it, the tourism sector adds 100 percent value," Menon said at the Sixth International Tourism Fair.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain pointed out that safety concern was the biggest impediment to Bangladesh's tourism.

Menon admitted that the sector had been deprived of necessary funds to develop infrastructure.

He said he had proposed declaring 2016 as the tourism year.

The minister also announced building an international airport in Cox's Bazar and a specialised tourist zone at Teknaf's Sabrang.

"If we prioritise this sector, it will lead in earning foreign currency and generating jobs," Menon added.