Tourism Planning on BANDARBAN

Report on Tourism Planning Developing a Tourism Plan for a Destination (BANDARBAN)

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Date: April 12, 2011 Kamrul Hasan Lecturer Faculty of Business Studies
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University of Dhaka. Subject: Submission of assignment on Tourism Planning Developing a tourism plan for a destination (BANDARBAN). Dear Sir, Here we are submitting our assignment report on Tourism Planning Developing a tourism plan for a destination. prescribed by you on your course Tourism Planning & Development. For this purpose, we have gone through internet, different articles, and journals for the relevant information of the assigned topic. Please call us for any further information at your convenient time and place. Yours Sincerely, Md. Asiful Alam Khorshed Alam Shuvra Das EMBA University of Dhaka

EXECUTIVE SUMMERY

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This report is an assigned job as partial fulfillment of course requirement by honorable course teacher KAMRUL HASAN, Lecturer, Department of Business Administration, University of Dhaka. The view of this report is to Developing a tourism plan for a specific destination. Tourism worldwide including Bangladesh is an expanding sector. It provides a significant foreign exchange and employment to our country. Bangladesh has potentials to develop tourism as a growing industry. However, in this paper, we have suggested a plan to develop Bandarban as a successful tourist destination. This paper includes general overview of tourism & tourism planning, Bandarban as a tourist destination, goals and objectives, action plans, constraints, recommendations and some other valuable information regarding Bangladesh tourism industry. Governments of Bangladesh should take some bold steps to remove the barriers standing in the way.

Contents
Contents..................................................................................................................... 3 Definition of Tourism..................................................................................................4 ASIF 071005011 071005050 Page 3 KHORSHED 071005018 SHUVRA -

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Tourism Planning........................................................................................................5 Two Sides of Tourism Planning...................................................................................5 Destination.................................................................................................................6 Site Analysis...............................................................................................................6 Bandarban Sights.......................................................................................................7 Bandarban District Map..............................................................................................9 Goals ....................................................................................................................... 10 Theme......................................................................................................................10 Objective..................................................................................................................10 Tourism Action Steps................................................................................................11 Constraints............................................................................................................... 12 Recommendations....................................................................................................12 Conclusion................................................................................................................ 13 Bibliography.............................................................................................................14

Definition of Tourism
Tourism is defined by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) as comprising the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes. The WTO further explains that Tourism refers to all activities of visitors including both tourists (overnight visitors) and same-day visitors.

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Tourism Planning
Tourism is one of many activities in a community or region that requires planning and coordination. Planning is the process of identifying objectives and defining and evaluating methods of achieving them. By comprehensive planning we mean planning which considers all of the tourism resources, organizations, markets, and programs within a region. Comprehensive planning also considers economic, environmental, social, and institutional aspects of tourism development.

Two Sides of Tourism Planning

Tourism planning has evolved from two related but distinct sets of planning philosophies and methods. On the one hand, tourism is one of many activities in an area that must be considered as part of physical, environmental, social, and economic planning. Therefore, it is common to find tourism addressed, at least partially, in a regional land use, transportation, recreation, economic development, or comprehensive plan. The degree to which tourism is addressed in such plans depends upon the relative importance of tourism to the community or region and how sensitive the planning authority is to tourism activities. Tourism may also be viewed as a business in which a community or region chooses to engage. Individual tourism businesses conduct a variety of planning activities including feasibility, marketing, product development, promotion, forecasting, and strategic planning. If tourism is a significant component of an area's economy or development plans, regional or community-wide marketing plans are needed to coordinate the development and marketing activities of different tourism interests in the community. A comprehensive approach integrates a strategic marketing plan with more traditional public planning activities. This ensures a balance between serving the needs and wants of the tourists versus the needs and wants of local residents. A formal tourism plan provides a vehicle for the various interests within a community to coordinate their activities and work toward common goals. It also is a means of coordinating tourism with other community activities.

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Destination
Bangladesh is a land of beauty. There are so many destinations that need to be focused. In this analysis, we have selected BANDARBAN as a tourist destination and tried to develop a successful tourism plan.

Site Analysis
Bandarban District (Chittagong division): With an area of 4479 sq. km, is bounded by Rangamati district on the north, Arakan (Myanmar) and the river Naf on the south, Arakan and Rangamati district on the east and Chittagong and cox's bazar district on the west. Bandarban mostly consists of forests and hills. Main rivers are Shankha (Sangu), Matamuhuri and Bakkhali. The four major mountain ranges of the district are the Meranja, Wailatong, Tambang and Politai. Bagakain or Baga Lake is notable. Annual average temperature maximum 34.6C and minimum 13C. Annual rainfall 3031 mm. Bandarban (Town): The area of Bandarban town is 51.80 sq km. It has a population of 31806; male 60.22%, female 39.78%. It consists of 10 wards and 62 mahallas. There are 2 dakbungalows, 1 cinema hall, 2 public libraries, 1 community centre and 3 playgrounds in the town. Literacy rate among the town people is 56.8%. Administration: Bandarban district was established in 1983. It consists of 7 upazilas, 32 unions, 140 mouzas, 1482 villages, 1 municipality, 10 wards and 62 mahallas. The upazilas are Bandarban sadar, Rowangchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, Lama, Alikadam, and Naikhoncchari. Historical Events: The British rulers declared Bandarban as a forest zone because of its vast forest area devoid of human settlement. The Arakanese were permanently settled in Bandarban after the British ascendancy in Arakan. Population: 292900; male 53.39%, female 46.61%; Muslim 47.62%, Buddhist 38%, Christian 7.27%, Hindu 3.52% and others 3.59%. Ethnic nationals include the marma, murong, tripura, bawm, tanchangya, chakma, chak, khyang, khumi, lushei and the pankho. Literacy and Educational Institutions: Average literacy 39.5%; male 49.5%, female 25.4%. Educational institutions: college 2, high school 24, junior school 26, residential school 3, government primary school 219, non-government primary school 150, non-formal education centres 45, madrasa 6.

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Locally Published Newspapers and Periodicals Dailies: Jug Rabi and Natun Bangladesh; periodical: Sangu. Cultural Organisations: Shishu Academy 1, Shilpakala Academy 1, public library 7, cinema hall 5, tribal cultural institution 1. Main Occupations: Agriculture 43.09%, forestry 4.14%, agricultural laborer 18.73%, wage laborer 7.09%, commerce 7.33%, service 8.52%, others 11.1%. Land Use: Forest lands 280473.29 hectares, agricultural land 100945.44 hectares, and fallow land 146285.45 hectares. About 52.15% land is used for jhum cultivation and fruit plantation. Main agricultural crops: Paddy, mustard, cotton, tobacco, vegetables. Main Fruits: Banana, pineapple, jackfruit, orange, papaya. Communications facilities: Roads: Paka 134 km., semi paka 39 km and mud road 205 km; waterways 166 km. Manufactories: Cotton Research Centre, textile mill, match factory, etc. Main hats and bazaars: Main hats and bazars are Swalak, Rwongchari, Ruma, Thanchi, Balipara, Aziznagar, Lama, Alikadam, Bahisari, Naikhongchari, Gumdum, Tumbru and Murong Gahati. Main Exports: Banana, jackfruit, cotton, bamboo. NGOs Activities: Operationally important NGOs are ccdb, caritas. Health centres: District sadar hospital 1, upazila health complex 7, union health and family planning centres 29.

Bandarban Sights
Buddha Dhatu Jadi: The largest Buddhist temple in Bangladesh, located in Balaghata, 4 km from the town, is one excellent place to visit locally known as 'Swarna Mandir'. This Theravada Buddhist temple. Set atop a 60 meter hill, is made completely in the style of South-East Asia and houses a sacred relic and the second largest statue of Buddha in Bangladesh. Shoilo Propat, Meghla and Nilachal: The waterfall named Shoilo Propat at Milanchari, 4 km from the town on the road to Thanchi, is also excellent site maintained by Bangladesh Parjatan, the national tourism promotion corporation. The Parjatan Motel
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is not a small thing at all. It has a huge three-storey building on a high place. The room rent here a little high compared to other places The site maintained by the District Administration is Meghla, 4 km from the town on the road to Keranihat, which features a mini-safari-park, a zoo, and a hanging bridge. The District Administration has also developed the Nilachal tourist site near Meghla, in Tigerpara. Raj Vihar and Ujanipara Vihar: The numerous Buddhist temples, known as kyang in local toungue and vihars in the town include the highly notable the Rajvihar (royal Monastery) at Jadipara. The monastery at Ujanipara, known as Ujanipara Vihar, is also a major place of interest.

Chimbuk Hill & Tribal Villages: Chimbuk is one of the tallest peaks in Bangladesh and lies some 14 km from the town. Bawm villages around Chimbuk and Mru villages a little further off are also lie within a day's journey from the town. Nil Giri and Thanchi: Nilgiri is one of the tallest peaks and beautiful place in Bangladesh and lies some 46 km from the town. There is beautiful resort in the top of the mountain maintain by the Bangladesh Army. Booking to be done through army officer. There are three wellfurnished cottages ranging from Tk.4000-7000. There are also three tents having 4 beds each@2000 per tent. Foreign tourist will be restricted there. There is restaurant, helipad, etc.

Other Places: Prantik Lake, Jibannagar and Kyachlong Lake are some more places of interest. Boga Lake (1200 ft.): A beautiful lake surrounded by high hills and a small village just beside the lake.

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Tourism Planning on BANDARBAN Bandarban District Map

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Tourism Planning on BANDARBAN Goals

The Ultimate goal of developing this plan is to ensure the growth of tourism industry through improving tourism attractions, tourism infrastructures, tourism hospitality, tourism business, and tourism promotion.

Theme
Bandarban, the roof of Bangladesh is a rich and dynamic mixture of green hills and natural water falls that reveal opportunities for an individual and collective sense of belonging, understanding, and celebration of the evolving natural world.

Objective
Objective is related to the goals. Here we have tried to deliver our objective with proper linkage to goals: Goals To Improve Tourism Attractions To Improve Tourism Infrastructure To Improve Tourism Hospitality To Improve Tourism Business Associated Objectives To maintain the original beauty of natural attractions by being sensitive to the environment To encourage both local and national govt. to build man made attractions without hampering the natural sights. To develop communication procedure for ensuring good access to all over the site. To develop safe, comfortable, and high class accommodation and food services. To encourage businesses to use hospitality training programs. To establish a better training program for tourist information staff. To establish a program to ensure that all our residents appreciate the need to be friendly and courteous to visitors. To encourage more businesses to install ATM's. to encourage the establishment of 24-hour convenience store, recreation equipment rentals, etc. To encourage the appropriate authority develop a well-organized Website. To ensure that event organizers are aware of any funding that may be available to assist in promotion. To build and maintain the tourist information booth both within the area and outside the area.

To Improve Tourism Promotion

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Tourism Action Steps

Her we have tried to mention some action steps to fulfill the objectives mentioned above including the responsible organizations and possible funding sources: Action Steps Responsible Organizations Possible Funding Source Government/Private Organizations Individual or corporate investors Transportation industry/Financial institutes Hotel Owners/Financial institutes Businesses involved in Tourism Financial Institutes Local Investors/Financial Institutes Local Investors/Financial Institutes NTO/Government Event Management Firms/Corporations -

Meet with deputy commissioner of Bandarban to Local Government seek support for keeping the sites clean Contact with investors to encourage them to invest in tourism industry for making man made NTO/Government attractions Communication Consultation with transportation business people ministry & for providing high class transports Transportation Sector Consultation with star rated hotels for opening branches in Bandarban Requesting NTO to arrange trainings for people involved in tourism service providing as Bandarban Discussion with financial institutes to install more ATMs or service booths Invite local investors to establish 24-hour convenience stores Invite local investors to establish business of recreation equipment rental Request NTO to develop and maintain a wellorganized Web-site only for Bandarban Discussion with event planners and companies to encourage them for planning their events at Bandarban Meet with local community to make the understand how tourism can change their way of living Government/Hotel Owners NTO/Businesses involved in Tourism Financial Institutes Local Investors Local Investors NTO/Information Ministry Event Management Firms Business Organizations/NTO

We have to keep in mind that some of these objectives can be achieved in a reasonably short period of time, and that others have a medium or even long term time line. This provides the early successes, which builds confidence to tackle the longer term, more complex objectives.

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Tourism Planning on BANDARBAN Constraints

Despite occasional meetings and adoption of plans of action, not much real progress is noticed yet in promoting tourism in Bangladesh. The following reasons could be considered as impediments to development of tourism in the Bangladesh:

Lack of transport links (air, rail, road and sea transport connecting major tourist destinations). Lack of sincerity and political will to promote Bangladesh as a common tourism destination: This emanates due to competition between the countries for tourists, given that all of the countries offer somewhat similar tourist products and compete in the same markets in the world. There has been a lack of funds and technical expertise. The little seed money that the Bangladesh Tourism Fund has been established with can pump prime the initial take-off, with publication of promotional materials and familiarization tours. Absence of effective coordination: This stands in the way of effective coordination among the relevant departments, agencies and ministries in Bangladesh. Complicated visa and border formalities are the most crucial factor that stands in the way particularly of intra-regional tourism. Though discussions have taken place, not much easing out in this area is yet in place. Government tax on hotel accommodation and food facility in Bangladesh is also not adequate. An ADB report points out that Hotel rates in Dhaka are high compared to neighboring countries, reflecting the high taxation imposed on hotels in Bangladesh. Lack of government policy is also a problem for tourism industry. This indicates that our tourism is in a problem of proper guide line.
Corruption is one of the major problems regarding tourism industry in Bangladesh. For that some foreign tourist fell into problem in their smooth and continue journey in Bangladesh.

Recommendations
To develop Bandarban specifically and Bangladesh as a whole as a successful tourist destination, we recommend emphasizing on the following factors, as the development of Bandarban is not possible without developing the whole country : Budget tourism aimed at all age groups, particularly the young generation of backpackers needs to be developed, with economy travel, easing of visa formalities, dissemination of information and low-cost but comfortable accommodations, etc. For learning lessons from other more successful groupings, visits of groups comprising of tourist officials, private sector entrepreneurs and journalists should be arranged. Investment opportunities with liberal incentives need to be communicated to both national and international investors.
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Eco-tourism should be grounded on the premise of poverty reduction of local communities. Tourist facilities and products need to be developed with minimum ecological impact. Also, opportunities for employment generation and income earning for the local communities are to be created. Human resource development for tourism through formal and informal education, training and exchange visits is of utmost importance for Bangladesh. Quality of service needs to be improved. For the purpose, training at different levels from top management down to door boys should be initiated at national and regional levels. In the area of environmental management, an integrated approach needs to be taken for ensuring sustainability. The good practices within Bangladesh in different areas, such as community-based resource management, energy efficiency and conservation, pollution management, disaster mitigation, etc. need to be disseminated.

Conclusion
A product can be "ideas, goods, or services." Since tourism is primarily a service-based industry, the principal products provided by recreation/tourism (R/T) businesses are recreational experiences and hospitality. These are intangible products and more difficult to market than tangible products such as automobiles. The intangible nature of services makes quality control difficult but crucial. It also makes it more difficult for potential customers to evaluate and compare service offerings. In addition, instead of moving the product to the customer, the customer must travel to the product (area/community). Travel is a significant portion of the time and money spent in association with recreational and tourism experiences and is a major factor in people's decisions on whether or not to visit your business or community. As an industry, tourism has many components comprising the overall "travel experience." Along with transportation, it includes such things as accommodations, food and beverage services, shops, entertainment, aesthetics and special events. It is rare for one business to provide the variety of activities or facilities tourists need or desire. This adds to the difficulty of maintaining and controlling the quality of the experience. To overcome this hurdle, tourism related businesses, agencies, and organizations need to work together to package and promote tourism opportunities in their areas and align their efforts to assure consistency in product quality.

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Bibliography
1. http://www.parjatan.gov.bd/ 2. http://dailyindependent.com/ 3. Other usual webs related to tourism

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