Govt finalising master plan for 1,498 tourist spots: Minister

The government is finalising an integrated tourism master plan covering around 1,498 tourist spots across Bangladesh as it moves to develop the country’s tourism sector in a planned, eco-friendly and sustainable manner.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat disclosed the information in a written response to a question from MP Shawkat Ara Akter during the question-answer session in parliament on Sunday.

The minister said around 1,498 tourist spots had been identified across the country and work was underway to finalise the comprehensive master plan.

The government is also drafting the National Tourism Policy 2026 to promote sustainable tourism development and attract more domestic and international visitors, he said.

As part of efforts to improve planning and address data gaps, work is also underway to prepare a Tourism Satellite Account, which will help assess the contribution of tourism to the national economy.

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The government has also taken steps to develop tourist destinations under a community-based tourism model, involving local communities in tourism activities and ensuring their participation in the development of tourist areas, the minister said.

Focus on safety and cultural tourism

To improve visitor safety, initiatives have been taken to increase the manpower of the Tourist Police, Millat said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs are also planning to work jointly to promote cultural tourism.

The two ministries have decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in this area. Following the signing, a standard operating procedure will be prepared and a joint task force will be formed to expedite implementation, the minister said.

Branding Bangladesh

The government has launched the Beautiful Bangladesh branding initiative to promote the country as an international tourism destination.

Work is also underway to develop an official website, beautifulbangladesh.gov.bd, as part of efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s tourism promotion and reach international visitors.

Millat said the government was taking various initiatives to develop tourist attractions in an environment-friendly manner while improving facilities and encouraging greater participation of local communities.

The master plan, along with the proposed tourism policy and other initiatives, is expected to provide a coordinated framework for developing Bangladesh’s tourism destinations and making the sector more sustainable.