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Our tourism potential
The World Tourism Day is observed on September 27 every year with a new theme. The theme last year was 'Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change.' The theme for this year is Tourism --Celebrating Diversity.' Ghana is the official host country ofWorld Tourism Day 2009.
Today is the 30th anniversary of the World Tourism Day. The purpose of the observance of the day is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural. political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the UN Millennium Development Goals and to highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals. This year's theme focuses on the most human side of the tourism industry -- its capacity to build understanding, foster social inclusion and advocate higher standards of living.
This year's theme also focuses on the world's cultural weal ill and the important role sustainable tourism plays in revitalizing local traditions and making them flourish as they cross other cultures. A huge mixture of local customs co-exist all over the world, be they languages, religions, architecture, food, poli-t
tics or natural environments. This different environment has allowed the travel and tourism industry to boom and become the largest single export industry and a leading force in the service sector.
Every region of the world is distinct and thus has something both to offer and gain through travel and tourism, particularly less developed nations. It is the responsibility of industry stakeholders to harness these opportunities whilst facing the long-term challenges engendered by travel and tourism.
Bangladesh can be a focal point in the perspective of the theme of the World Tourism Day 2009.
Bernier, the French traveller, aptly wrote in the seventeenth century that Bangladesh "has a hundred gates open for entrance but not one for departure." Bangladesh was and is unique for its multicultural coexistence.
Bangladeshi folklore gives an honest insight into the country's social and ethnic background as well as the people's habits and beliefs. Our folklore also depicts much about the denizens of the past such as their ideologies, customs and views on home or social affairs. Diverse ethnic groups that have resided in the land throughout the centuries have largely influenced Bangladesh's folklore.
A wide-ranging diversity can therefore be clearly seen in the folklore of Bangladesh. Puthis - ancient manuscripts - are in fact collections of folk tales often highlighting religious customs existing in rural Bangladesh. Educated individuals, both as a form of recreation and as education, read these books to the rest of the villagers. This area can easily uplift the development of tourism in Bangladesh.
Folk arts and crafts, traditions and customs can be classified as local, regional or national attractions. There are several diverse functions of folklore. If folk tales are examined closely, we find that many are used to pass on traditions with morals and values from one generation to the next. Folklore fulfils the role of teaching the importance of traditions and roots.
'Tourism -- Celebrating Diversity' highlights this varied environment which is at the very centre of tourism. Diversity has indeed been the motor behind travel and tourism for centuries. It is our responsibility to promote the sustainable development of the industry whilst conserving the unique facets present on the globe.
The tourism industry is one of the main sectors in the global economy, often referred to as the world's largest-single industry.
Mohammad Shahidul Islam
Faculty member
National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute