Tourism for peace: prospect in Bangladesh

Another thrust comes round for promoting Bangladesh's dormant tourism opportunities, attuned to a global campaign trail, for both economic and social gains. September 27 is World Tourism Day (WTD). This day is observed in the member- countries of the United Nations (UN) in a meaningful manner for tourism development to ensure benefits for all stakeholders. This year, the theme of this day is 'Tourism and Peace' that highlights the active role of tourism in keeping global peace and exchanging opportunities for cultural harmony to build a peaceful and inclusive globe with economic prosperity.

 Moreover, the influential role of tourism is essential to promote peace by encouraging cross-cultural interactions and enhancing the host nations' economy. The host country for WTD this year is Georgia, which is rich in culture, history, and lucrative landscapes. SDG-16 is relevant to the WTD theme of achieving sustainable development for any country.

 The WTD's theme emphasises global peace and justice regarding social equity, migration, climate-change issues, cultural conservation, and diplomatic justice. So, the international community's focus on tourism development for long-term prosperity and peace around the globe by encouraging fruitful dialogue and successful collaboration among nations. Tourists can learn about locals' culture, heritage, lifestyles, values, and other local aspects when they travel to the destinations. These diverse experiences give them a clear understanding of the regional perspectives, leading to achieving peace and prosperity in society. Tourism is a powerful weapon for connecting communities for job creation, enhancing local economics, conserving natural and cultural heritage, and building peaceful circumstances. Furthermore, tourism can promote economic enhancement among the neighbouring communities through peaceful cooperation and development. This industry allows hosts and tourists to interact and share their values, cultural diversity, lifestyle, experiences, and beliefs, promoting mutual respect, peace, and prosperity.

Tourism development can ensure social peace and justice regarding economic enhancement, cultural-exchange opportunities, environmental awareness, and community wellbeing. The tourism sector makes a significant financial contribution by providing job opportunities, attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and developing infrastructure. Tourism activities can preserve and promote cultural and natural heritage and provide mutual understanding among the communities. This sector's development can ensure local stakeholders' awareness of ecological issues and encourage tourists to travel to protect the environment responsibly. Its development can improve the quality of life and increase basic facilities and services for the local communities. Sustainable tourism development ensures equitable peace levels in societies due to improved positive attitudes and harmonious relationships among the communities.

Tourism development for peacekeeping activities can help achieve SDG targets for the nations. It can reduce violence by establishing responsible development, security, and surveillance in the destinations. Sustainable tourism development creates better futures for the relevant stakeholders. It reduces crime, trafficking, other illegal activities, and corruption due to tourist activities. Sustainable tourism development encourages tourism companies to conduct transparent and accountable business activities. It is ensuring equitable, inclusive, representative, and participatory tourism activities. Moreover, sustainable tourism development is respectful to diverse races, religions, genders, ages, and marginal people for understanding the ethical values of the community.

Bangladesh is full of tourist treasures such as beaches, lakes, rivers, hills, forests, wildlife, tribal life, archaeological remains, historical monuments, religious and cultural heritages, and handicrafts that offer great value for tourist attractions. These attractions provide valuable experiences for tourists from home and abroad. Moreover, at least 55 ethnic communities living in Bangladesh have unique cultural identities. Their followed traditional lifestyle has remained intact for hundreds of years. Furthermore, the people of Bangladesh are friendly, simple, and very popular with international and domestic tourists. The factors mentioned above can make Bangladesh a popular tourist destination worldwide.

Bangladesh can focus on tourism development to ensure sustainable growth and maintain peace and justice. Tourism development can benefit the local economy and categorise the country as a 'safe destination' worldwide. Moreover, tourism development can reduce crime, violence, and terrorism by protecting tourists and improving the country's law-and-order situation. People from different religious and ethnic communities live together in the country. Tourism development can be able to maintain harmonious relationships among the people of different religious and ethnic communities in Bangladesh. This harmony is one of the great attractions for the tourists and also keeps peace in society. Moreover, government agencies are also concerned about protecting tourists from unavoidable circumstances, which ensures peace and prosperity in the country.

However, some challenges remain to keeping peace through tourism development in Bangladesh. Firstly, there is a lack of a proper image of Bangladesh as a tourist destination abroad to attract foreigners. Secondly, poor tourism infrastructure and improper development of tourist assets also make it difficult for peaceful tourism. Thirdly, proper publicity of tourist attractions is also essential for promoting Bangladesh as a safe tourist destination. Fourthly, trained and adequate manpower is needed to provide secure services to tourists. Some initiatives can be taken to develop Bangladesh as a safe destination. Firstly, the government can expand the services of Tourist Police countrywide and formulate proper policy support for developing Bangladesh as a safe destination. Secondly, sufficient tourism infrastructure and sustainable use of tourist assets are necessary for safe tourist destinations. Thirdly, essential initiatives for promotional activities and qualified manpower should be taken for tourism development. Fourthly, the foreign missions of Bangladesh can take initiatives to promote the country's positive image abroad. Finally, necessary efforts are essential to arrange coordinated initiatives between government agencies, relevant tourism stakeholders, and local communities for the country's responsible tourism development to ensure social peace and prosperity. These efforts will ensure the achievement of SDG 16 as well as long-term stability and justice in societies.

Dr Md Anowar Hossain Bhuiyan teaches at the National University, Bangladesh. [email protected]