Prospect of Sustainable Tourism in Bangladesh
Prospect of Sustainable Tourism in Bangladesh
A Views On Tourism Project presentation UIU / JCI seminar 21th June 2010
Personal profile
Majbritt Thomsen
MA Tourism
Marketing, policy, organisation
Danish expat since late 2007 BD travel experience Royal Danish Embassy, DANIDA report on BD tourism potential Business studies BD tourism Interaction tourism sector
Huge number of visionary people, resources, organizations and initiatives in Bangladesh
Online blog
Online group
Agenda
World best practice and theory
Understanding tourism challenges Sustainable tourism
Practices and lessons
Bangladesh
Status and sustainable tourism potential How to develop national tourism through knowledge and network
Summing up
Social factors
More time
Demographic changes
Family size, population increase, urbanisation, increased life expectancy
Technological factors
Transportation
Western Europe Dominates Tourism Flow Outbound Strong Outbound Flow from Asia-Pacific Economic Stability in Eastern Europe Favors Outbound Flows Wealthy North Americans: Passionate Travelers
Source: Euromonitor International's Tourism Flows Outbound World (2008)
Political factors
Freedom of mobility
Accessibility to markets Affordability Availability of attractions Availability of services Cultural links Geographical proximity to markets Peace and stability Positive market image Pro-tourism policies
International arivals 2008 France 79.3 milion USA 58.0 Spain 57.3 China 53.0 Italy 42.7 United Kingdom 30.1 Ukraine 25.4 Turkey 25.0 Germany 24.9 Mexico 22.6
Source: UNWTO
Cultural motivators
Desire to see and know more about other cultures
Interpersonal motivators
Meet new people, visit friends or relatives
Green paradigm
Humans are part of nature and nature are equal Reality is subjective integrated and holistic The future is unpredictable The universe is chaotic The importance of intuition Consensus-based structures Cooperative structures Emphasis on the communal Facilitation through socialism Maintenance of a steady state Use soft tecnology Matriarchal and female
Eco-tourism demand
More than a niche market! Environmentally minded travelers Hard core eco-tourism
Nature - the reson to go! Nature professionals or people with serious interests
Accommodation
Most visible sub-sector
Transportation
Most important element in destination development
Economy
Society / Culture
Nature
Protect environment and preserve nature
Preserving local culture and heritage Social wellbeing and stability Promotion of cross-cultural understanding
Nature
High pressure on environment ressources Disturb fauna and flora
Society / Culture
Lost of cultural values and traditions Prostitution and crime
New discussion: Long-term social and economic benefit best from national tourism?
Eco-tourism - a sub-category
One definition
Ecotourism is a responsible travel to natural areas that covers the environment and sustains the well being of local people (Epler Wood, 1996)
Goal
Ecotourism can become an important tool to preserve and develop remote areas
7 characteristics of eco-tourism
Involves travel to natural destinations Minimizes impact Supports human rights and democratic movements Respects local culture Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people Builds environmental awareness Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
Source: The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
Activities
Trekking through forest and traditional Tibetan villages Tibetan-run guesthouses or homestays Local Tibetan guides
Development partners
Deqin County Government The Nature Conservancy, world conservation organization
The South Asia Travel & Tourism economy 2010 is: Number 10 in absolute size worldwide Number 1 in long-term (10-year) growth
Source WTTC (2010)
Many isolated sustainable tourism resources, visions and initiatives United forces will make a sustainable tourism movement
Cooperation in tourism!
Advise The stakeholders must truly want sustainable tourism development and be prepared to cooperate and communicate When setting up partnerships structures share income and risk Invite an expert on tourism to participate at the earliest posible date
Source: GTZ Sustainable Tourism as a Development Option
Cooperation in tourism
- an overview of the stakeholders
Organisations of the Private sector: multilateral and Tour operators bilateral co-operation Travel agencies
Public sector:
Incoming agencies Tourism officials Employees in tourism Community and regional Tourism experts administrations Business associations Ministries of Economic and Suply industry, souvenirs Foreign Affairs Advertising and marketing Ministry for Environmental Hotels, B&B Tourists Affairs and Nature Transportation compagnies Conservation Agriculture Restaurents Agriculture NGO/SHO (Non-governmental and self-help organisations): International nature conservation organisations Guides National NGOs Organisations of indigenous peoples Source: Local NGOs GTZ Sustainable Tourism Local SHOs/co-operatives as a Development Option
National
Associations: TOAB, ATAB, TGAB, Bangladesh Tourism Foundation Best practice players: Panigram, Guide Tours World brands in BD: Radisson, Emirates, Intrepid Travel Individual tourism players
National
Development: Grameen, Katalyst, JCIB Conservation: Urban Study Group, Nishorgo, Contic Media: tourism and general Private sector: Chambers of commerce and industry, investors and banks Higher education: service schools and universities
Summing up
Status
General sector obstaceles National tourism obstacles