Experts at a workshop have called for eco-friendly tourist activities to pave the way for more tourism and to protect biodiversity and local heritage.
Highlighting the need for developing strong legal and policy frameworks to boost the sector, they also laid emphasis on creating awareness especially among the stakeholders and tourists about the negative environmental impacts of irresponsible tourism.
They made their call and observation at a day-long workshop for the journalists, organised by Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) in Dhaka on Sunday.
Jabed Ahmed, chief executive officer (additional secretary), BTB, Dr. Santus Kumar Deb, chairman, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka, Professor Dr. Muhammad Muslem Uddin, chairman, Oceanography Department, Chittagong University, and, Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, director (marketing, planning & public relation) (additional secretary, BTB, spoke at the function.
SM Atiqur Rahman, Ocean Explorer& Director, Save Our Sea, Anowarul Hoque, general secretary, Save Our Sea, also spoke at the programme.
Speaking at the function, Mr Jabed Ahmed said the media can play a well-timed and effective role in ecotourism development.
The BTB is committed to have a long-term engagement with the media for the betterment of the sector, he stated.
Strong policy support can boost up this sector, Mr. Ahmed added.
Mr. Dr. Santus Kumar said ecotourism can help achieve the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He also underlined the need for grabbing the full potential of marine tourism through sustainable and environment-friendly practices.
Professor Dr Muslem Uddin said Bangladesh is yet to grab the full potential of the blue economy ranging from the sustainable development of marine fisheries to sea and coastal tourism.
The country should exploit the potentials in the Bay of Bengal and can too make its economy stronger through eco-tourism development, he added.
Atiqur Rahman stressed the need for utilising and exploiting the potential of underwater tourism through thriving scuba diving.
