Bangladesh received 10 lakh tourists last year and, according to the official version, the number has marked a steady rise all the way since 1992. This is, however, no cause for celebration. Because we all know that many of those who visit the country do so on their own and for purposes other than Just sight-seeing.

The fact of the matter is that tourism is yet to develop as an industry, the plus point of which ought to be professionalism and exposition of the countiy in an exotic light to the world outside. On both these counts, our shortcomings are glaring. For example, the infrastructural development has not been quite up to the mark for welcoming tourists and ensuring safe, peaceful and smooth journey and accommodation for them. Maintenance of roads leading to the sites and the efforts to preserve or present the historical sites or natural spots have been somewhat half-hearted. The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation should have regular arrangements for tours to the Sundarbans.

So, there is a need for a radically changed approach to tourism in this country. Both private and government tourism can be developed by encouraging competition in terms of facilities offered. One way of vigorously going about it would be to have really active divisional or district tourism offices. But first of all we need to invest in the infrastructural development and in the promotional campaigns.