Tourism and SDGs: Bangladesh boasts ample potential to score

Tourism is the single-largest economic sector in today's world. About one-tenth of global gross domestic product (GDP) and employment opportunities come from this economic sector. More than 50 countries depend mainly on this sector for their economic development. Many countries emphasize tourism as their priority agenda for sustainable development.

Bangladesh is rich in tourism resources, such as natural attractions, beaches, wetlands, water bodies, forests, wildlife, traditional lifestyle, tangible and intangible cultural heritages, built heritage, food, festivals, and art and crafts. The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has identified tourism as a thrust sector for economic as well as sustainable development in the country. Furthermore, the GOB has emphasised tourism development for achieving SDGs through the positive contribution in a sustainable manner.

The SDG-8 focuses economic growth and employment. Tourism has contributed about 4.0 per cent of the employment in Bangladesh, including direct and indirect workforce. The sector is contributing about as much to the country's GDP. A study by PKSF on tourism in Bangladesh predicts that 1.5 million extra workforce demand will be created in the tourism sector by 2027, with a combination of 17 per cent and 83 per cent semi-competent and less-competent skills, respectively.

The 7th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) addressed to need for adequate supply of qualified human capital to fulfil the demand in the tourism sector. The plan gives emphasis on decent work opportunities, particularly to youth and women. Moreover, the plan highlights sustainable tourism for creating jobs and promotes local culture and products. The 8th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) emphasises overseas tourism-employment opportunities for the Bangladeshi workforce, especially in Middle-East countries, Europe, Africa, Japan and China. The development plan suggests skill training in tourism according to the standard of the National Technical and Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF).

Pursuant to the espoused goals, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) has adopted the National Tourism Human Capital Development Strategy for Bangladesh (2021-2030). The strategy predicts that about 4.3 million direct and 3.0 million indirect jobs would be created in this services sector by 2030. The proposed Tourism Master Plan (TMP) (2024-2041) predicts that proposed three exclusive tourism zones (ETZs) will create demand for 0.3 million jobs by 2030. However, the amusement parks also created job opportunities for 0.1 million employees during this period. The TMP has suggested 22 key training programmes for upskilling the human resources to fit in the latter-day tourism ecosystem.

The future scopes for tourism employment are proposed 5 new UNESCO Heritage Sites, protected areas, proposed 27 tourism segments, identified 1400 potential tourist spots, the 3rd terminal of HSIA, blue tourism, CBT, and rural tourism, coupled with smart tour guides.

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) has identified some challenges for qualified manpower in the tourism sector, such as inappropriate practical training, lack of IT knowledge and foreign-language efficiency, absence of necessary manners in the workplace, and lack of social recognition of tourism jobs. Through a study, the UNCTAD identified some requirements, such as special training, language, and capacity development to prepare skilled manpower for the tourism sector in Bangladesh.

The government can take effective efforts with international organisations and related ministries to make up the supply of required skilled manpower in the tourism sector. Furthermore, educational institutions, training centres, and professional organisations also take necessary efforts to supply qualified human resources to man the tourism sector.

The SDG-12 recommends sustainable consumption and production (SCP). This goal of SCP aims to do 'more and better with less' by reducing the use of resources, degradation, and pollution along the lifecycles of goods and services, and to enhance the quality of life and well-being for all. The GOB has emphasized sustainable tourism development in the country through taking effective initiatives in the formulated policies, strategies, and guidelines. The National Tourism Policy highlights the participation of stakeholders in promoting responsible tourism. The 7th Five-Year Plan included ecotourism and establishing eco-parks in the selected areas as initiatives of sustainable tourism development in the country. The Medium-Term Budget Framework emphasised capacity development of the tourism industry through sustainable infrastructure and proper management.

Meanwhile, SCP practices are encouraging the tourism businesses to include nature-and biodiversity conservation in their management plans. These practices are increasing awareness and support among tourists to protected areas, empowering the local communities to take responsibility to protect their environment, and participate in tourism activities, develop facilities and ensure sustainable infrastructure for tourism sites through the use of energy-efficient design and equipment, respect the natural and cultural heritage and use locally appropriate architectural design in construction, develop and implement soft mobility products in tour packages and activities, arrange tour -guide development in sustainable practices through trainings, provide opportunities to tourists with environment- friendly recreation, education and cultural experiences.

More effort should be given to develop sustainable tourism products around the assets of local communities, such as arts, music, dance, festivals, health tourism, village tours, eco-lodges, and home-stays.

Conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources are focussed in SDG14. According to the Ocean Health Index 2016, Bangladesh has achieved scores of 91.7, 36.7, and 38.8 for biodiversity, clean water, and fisheries, respectively. Blue tourism can ensure the sustainable use of oceans and seas and the conservation of marine resources. This tourism segment is the combination of coastal- and marine -tourism activities. Marine tourism includes beach-based recreation, tourist activities in the sea areas, boating, yachting, and marinas.

However, coastal-tourism activities include diving, maritime archaeology, surfing, cruises, and recreational fishing operations. About 40 million people in coastal areas are dependent on natural resources for maintaining their livelihood. Blue tourism can ensure the wellbeing of the coastal communities in terms of employment opportunities, empowerment of locals, local supply -chain development, and promotion of local culture and heritage.

Bangladesh is entitled to 118,813 square kilometers of sea areas in the Bay of Bengal, including 710 kilometers of coastal areas. There are 75 lucrative islands and 3 marine protected areas situated in the sea areas of Bangladesh. The GOB has planned to develop 3 ETZs to tap the potential of blue tourism in the country. The notable blue tourist spots are Cox's Bazar, Ramu, Himchhari, Teknaf, and the Sundarbans mangrove forests. Moreover, the attractive beaches are Cox's Bazar, Patenga, Parki, Kuakata, and Innani. The coastal lifestyles and livelihood activities are attracting tourists from home and abroad.

The government can promote the Bay of Bengal as a special destination for 'Blue Tourism' through highlighting iconic features like coral reefs, adventure experiences, and sustainable tourist activities. Promotional videos, content, brochures, leaflets, and social- media campaigns can attract tourists towards blue tourism. Training programmes can be arranged for the volunteer groups, tour guides, and tour operators for the promotion of blue tourism. The GOB should include all relevant stakeholders to promote blue tourism in Bangladesh in a sustainable manner.

The writer is an associate professor and deputy director of the Innovation and Sustainability Lab (ISL) at National University, Bangladesh. anowarlestari@gmail.com