“The benefits yielded from tourism should be fairly distributed,” said Professor Md. Anwarul Islam, in a keynote speech addressing participants at the Bangladesh Travel Tourism Fair 2007 (BTTF). “Only then will tourism become participatory, and thus the rights of the local residents will be properly recognized. In this way, tourism will become responsible and sustainable.”

Professor Md. Anwarul Islam presented a position paper on the use of Responsible Travel to fight poverty in Bangladesh. Philip J. DeCosse, Chief of Party of the Nishorgo Support Project, also presented (on left).

6 Sept 2007 – www.mikeyleung.ca

Tourism can be a powerful force in eradicating poverty, says Dhaka University Zoology Professor Anwarul Islam.

“The benefits yielded from tourism should be fairly distributed,” he said, in a keynote speech addressing participants at the Bangladesh Travel Tourism Fair 2007 (BTTF). “Only then will tourism become participatory, and thus the rights of the local residents will be properly recognized. In this way, tourism will become responsible and sustainable.”

The fair was organized by the Tourism Operators Association of Bangladesh in an wide-ranging effort to build and promote Bangladeshi tourism. Tourism has grown widely in the last few years, with more and more private operators setting up shop in the tiny nation. Many local operators expect growth in the domestic market over the next few years.

Philip J. DeCosse, Chief of Party of the Nishorgo Support Project, described the recent growth in the industry as encouraging. He also cautioned that profits must reach the right people in order to create change.

“The statistics for the number of paid visitors to the Sunderbans is up to nearly a million today—huge growth in the last few years,” said DeCosse. “The top 10 percent are earning more and more. What people generally do after making enough money, they want to pay for environment. They may travel just for enjoyment, but they will also pay for nature.”

He cautioned operators to not take advantage of Bangladesh’s few remaining natural areas and the people that live there, as this will be counterproductive to tourism growth.

“When you bring visitors out, you must remember that revenue belongs with the community,” he stressed. “I think the state can also step in and say that when you visit, there will be community structures that directly receiving benefits for their efforts in protecting these areas.”