The tourism sector is expected to make a significant contribution to flourish the blue economy in the country thus helping the country achieve its development goals.
To this effect, the government has incorporated various schemes to the country's development plans entailing coastal lines and Bay of Bengal.
This was observed at a seminar on 'Role of tourism for Bangladesh's blue economy' organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) at the Parjatan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area on Sunday.
State Minister for the MoCAT Md. Mahbub Ali attended the seminar as the chief guest with the Secretary of the MoCAT Md Mokammel Hossain in the chair, according to a statement.
Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam attended the seminar as the principal discussant, while top official of the ministry and other stakeholders attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Md. Mahbub Ali said the tourism road-which is being prepared by the Tourism Board-will include detailed plan for coastal areas and marine tourism.
"Once the roadmap is accomplished, it will help bring in a new horizon of tourism as part of the blue economy," he said.
Bangladesh government has also laid emphasis on the tourism sector in different development plans including Seventh Five Year Plan, Perspective Plan-2041 and Delta Plan-2100.
"We cannot lag behind with our tourism whereas around five per cent of global GDP comes from coastal and marine tourism and 6.0 to 7.0 per cent of the employments are generated in the sector," said Mr Ali.
He also said there are various development projects being implemented to enhance the country's tourism sector including three special tourism parks in Cox's Bazar.
Work is underway to set up Naf Tourism Park, Sabrang Tourism Park and Sonadia Eco Tourism Park in Cox's Bazar which are expected to create employments for 0.2 million people and economic activities worth $2.0 billion per year, the state minister added.
