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Ctg-Cox's Bazar Bicycle Rally

Japanese woman promotes tourism

Says greenery, hospitality her inspiration

Staff Correspondent
When Yoriko Udea, a Japanese marketing consultant, first came to Bangladesh to take a short course on microfinance, she had no idea she would be bringing people from all over the world by organising a major rally for cyclists and drive to clean up litter here.
However, a field trip to a Tangail village at the end of the course made her return this
February after four years and spend about a year for the three-day, 200-kilometre "Bangladesh Discovery Ride" from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar starting November 21.
"The greenery of the countryside, its food, and the hospitality of people made such an impression on my mind that I felt an urge to do something to let people of other countries know about Bangladesh,” saidYoriko.
The 86 participants comprised 34 foreigners from 14 countries, including the United States, Germany, Scotland, Afghanistan and Vietnam, and those from Cog-way Cultural Exchange Association, a Japan-based group promoting tourism through cycling and of which she is a member.
Since raising awareness on waste disposal is a motto of the association, they started cleaning the Laboni beach of Cox's Bazar on reaching there.
"When I decided to take a break from work I bought tickets for Bangladesh immediately even though I did not know anybody in the country," she said.
She, however, managed the support of Bangladesh Tourism Board, the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
"Most Japanese people have very little knowledge about Bangladesh...Besides the image of being the most crowded place in the world and a place where Rana Plaza (building collapse) took place, very little of Bangladesh is known outside," she told this
correspondent at BTB.
The tourism authorities should promote the lush greenery of the country and ensure safety of tourists, she opined.
Asked why she chose bicycles as her means for touring, she said, "Cycling is possibly the cleanest approach for tourism. ”
While making zero emissions and bene-fitting the riders' health, no other vehicle gives tourists the chance to enjoy the landscape like a bicycle, she explained.
"The primary aim of my cyclist group is to have a cultural exchange and promote the tourism industry of the place where we organise an event.
"Usually we pick a place which is beautiful but underrepresented to global tourists and hold a cycling event there, inviting our membercyclists from different countries," she said.
The BTB authorities who undertook the management of the event were glad to see a group ofyouths promoting Bangladesh.
"The group has done what we strive to do - promote Bangladesh as a tourist destination," said BTB Chief Executive Officer Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir.
He added, "From now on, we would be looking for people like Yoriko and help them hold events in the country."