Bangladesh takes up mega plan to develop tourism hotspots for foreigners in 2016

The government has embarked on a mega plan to develop present and potential tourist attractions in Bangladesh.

It is set to announce 2016 as the Tourism Year, making it a part of the plan that the Tourism Board approved on Dec 18 last year.

The matter was discussed in the National Tourism Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday.

“The decision to announce 2016 as the Tourism Year was taken to speed up work to develop and expand Bangladesh’s tourism sector,” said her Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury.

“The cost has been estimated at Tk 2 billion in three fiscals: 2015-18.”

“The prime minister said that the Sundarbans should be brought under eco-tourism,” said the press secretary.

He added that the meeting also discussed the feasibility of international river cruises from Bangladesh.

“Currently, there’s a river cruise that starts from India’s Chennai, passes through Bangladesh’s maritime boundaries and ends in Singapore via Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. 
 
“If Bangladesh wants to be a part of that, then a maritime protocol needs to be signed with some countries including India.”
 
On-arrival visas, long-term multiple visas and e-visa to attract more tourists to Bangladesh were also discussed.