Challenges and Expectations of Tourism Industry in Bangladesh: A Study on Burichang and Kasba Sub-districts of Cumilla and Brahmanbaria Districts

Abstract

Cucculelli and Goffi [1] stated that one of the industries with the highest growth rates worldwide is tourism, which provides the majority of developing nations with their primary source of foreign money. Bangladesh's tourism industry has immense potential to make it to the top of the tourist priority list. Ahmed, et al., [2] pointed out that in the context of global tourism of developing countries, Bangladesh, which offers a variety of natural variations, such as mountainous areas, sea beaches, mangrove forests, and many historical sites, has a tremendous amount of potential. Tourism provides advantages, which contribute to poverty reduction, by providing employment opportunities for local people. Tourism can contribute value to the Bangladeshi economy if a competent marketing plan and strategy are developed and implemented. The main objectives of this research were to review existing and unexplored tourist attractions, analyse locations, identify major benefits and challenges, evaluate the overall tourism industry, explore relevant employment opportunities, assess economic growth, and identify required development. The study area was Burichang and Kasba sub-districts of Cumilla and Brahmanbaria Districts. The information for the study was gathered using both primary and secondary data; the primary data was gathered by using the personal interview with using close-ended questionnaires that were from sample 82 domestic tourists and 18 related to different commercial activities that are related to these tourist places. Stratified random sampling method was used to meet the objectives. Data was analyzed using frequency analysis, percentage and descriptive statistics, with the help of Microsoft Excel 2019. From the analysis, it was found that the majority of the respondents are satisfied with transportation, space, and simplicity of access, all of the locations are well located geographically, tourists can easily cover all of the places at a time and the travel costs are reasonable. However, they are dissatisfied with information gaps, the absence of security, promotional activities, hotels, motels, bungalows, restaurants, and the present industry is limited. Several guidelines have been stated in the recommendation section that the concerned authorities can follow in order to improve the status.