Bangladesh’s tourism potential remains largely untapped due to poor planning, inadequate research and weak international promotion, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian said on Sunday.
He urged tourism businesses to prioritise visitor safety, comfort and service quality over short-term profits.
Zahidul was speaking at a discussion at Chattogram Circuit House marking World Tourism Day. A rally was also held in the city.
Highlighting the beaches, hills and lakes of Chattogram and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, he said tourism could become a major contributor to the economy alongside garments, remittances and agriculture.
He stressed the need to identify target tourists, understand their expectations and promote destinations more effectively on global digital platforms.
The DC said tourist safety should extend beyond law and order to include food safety, accommodation and safe travel.
The DC also urged businesses to tap into the country’s young workforce to create jobs and develop the sector through coordinated public-private efforts.
Zahidul asked hotel and restaurant owners to submit employee lists to the district administration for health screening and training in hygiene, food safety and customer service.
He called for a coordinated strategy to promote Chattogram’s natural beauty and heritage internationally.
Tourist Police Chattogram Region Superintendent of Police Uttam Prasad Pathak, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Sharif Uddin, Chattogram City Corporation Regional Executive Officer Zobaida Akter and other stakeholders attended the programme.
