By Khondoker Aminul Islam
It is evident that in the past two decades Bangladesh Hotels are in sharp rise both in quality and quantity. There are many reasons behind this rise. The most important reason is, prioritizing Bangladesh Tourism by Government and providing back-end infrastructure to flourish the sector. Foreseeing huge opportunity, a number of local and international entrepreneurs came forward with necessary investment to build quality hotels in Bangladesh. The sector was already ripe and was ready to be plucked for profits. So whoever invested in high quality Bangladesh hotels are simply thriving at present. And there is room for many more.
The country started with lone quality hotel, Dhaka Sheraton at the capital city after independence in 1971. There was numerous others at Dhaka and at the main cities of the country but quality of those was not at international level. It is from early eighties that the Bangladesh Travel and Bangladesh hotel industry began to shape up.
Beginning of eighties can be marked in respect to the development of this country for various reasons. The most important event that boosted Bangladesh Tourism and Bangladesh Hotel industry is, a new international standard airport in the capital city came into operation. The previous most important Bangladesh air port, Tejgaon international airport shifted to a new location with international standard infrastructure and runways. Runway facilities at the previous location was inadequate, preventing landing of larger air crafts. With the new Bangladesh Airport named Shah Jalal airport, previously known as Zia International airport in operation, the number of foreign flights rose sharply.
Other significant factor of early eighties was participation of national and international NOGs in socio-economic development of the country. International NGOs and development partners came forward with countless socio-economic development projects. To initiate, implement, monitor and evaluate these socio-economic projects, the number of foreigner visits rose sharply. This caused an increasing demand of quality hotels, motels and other related infrastructure all over Bangladesh.
Again, it is in the early eighties when this country started its journey as garment manufacturer and began to supply a bulk quantity of EEC, USA and Canada apparel need. This is also a reason of the increased number of foreigner visits. Temporary and permanent residency of foreign nationals increased considerably to support newly developed garment industries and trade. They came to know the country and became interested for a lucrative Bangladesh vacations either at the longest natural sea beach at Cox's Bazar or at largest mangrove forest at Sunderban or at one of many similar natural beauties the country holds.
The reasons above forced the second 5 star hotel in the capital city. Pan Pacific Sonargaon began its operation at the heart of the capital city Dhaka at early eighties. Currently Dhaka is blessed with a number of 5 star rated hotels like Sheraton, Radisson Water Garden, Sarina, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Regency Hotel & Resort and Dhaka Westin with numerous supportive 4 star and 3 star rated hotels like Lake Shore Hotel & Apartments, BRAC Centre Inn, Swiss Park, Bon Vivant, Rose Wood Residence, Paradise Garden, Royal Park Residence and many others.
Dhaka, the capital city with a heritage of over 400 years, holds the most of the Bangladesh Hotels, both in quality and quantity. Unlike most country, this country is not much decentralized on national and other important activities. The capital city is the main center of most activities of the country. Power, politics, trade and cultural activities revolves mainly around the city. Main attraction of trade is Dhaka Stock Exchange, popularly known as DSE Bangladesh. Expatriate nationals and permanent residents to other countries are one of the most interested parties of DSE Bangladesh and they depend on various Bangladesh news agencies to stay updated on DSE Bangladesh info. All of the Bangladesh news agencies are Dhaka based. Dhaka holds most of the features a capital city should have. Moreover there are many historical places, a number of golf courses and numerous shopping malls to attract the tourists.
Public transportation of the city is inadequately developed, also reflected at all other major cities. Public Taxi service is scarce and poor in standard. Though each and every hotels, big or small is equipped and supported with quality rent a car facilities. There are inter-city bus and train network with moderately good services. All the major cities are connected by countries national airliner Bangladesh Biman and some other local and international airlines.
Second largest city is the port city of Chittagong on the Bay of Bengal. It has a rich sea trade history which can be traced back at Roman period. But as for the hotels, the city was holding lone 4 star rated Agrabad hotel before independence at 1971. At current there are Peninsula, Naba Inn Guest House, Harbour View, Tower Inn etc. all 4 star rated. Also there are 3 star rated Saint Martin, Asian SR, Century Park and many more.
The most attractive place for visitors and tourist, Cox's Bazar holding the longest natural sea beach is around 100 miles South of Chittagong. This place is highly supported by good quality hotels, motels and Guest houses. There is Seagull-5 star, Kollol-4 star and a number of 3 stars like Media International, Sea Crown and numerous guest houses. Saint Martins, a beautiful island at Bay of Bengal further south with beaches all around is supported by enough good quality guest houses.
There are quality hotels in other major cities. Rose View, a 5 star is at Sylhet, a beautiful city sharing same geo-continental plate with Indian hilly state of Meghalaya. Western Inn, Royal International and Arcadia are at Khulna, a city southern part of the country, at the largest mangrove forest district. Cities like Bogra, Comilla, Jessore, Rajshahi and most others current hold at least one or two 5 or 4 star rated hotels.
All Of Bangladesh Hotels are supported by its own restaurants. Wide variety of cuisines of international standard are available here at reasonable price. Capital city enjoys at least a few restaurants of every cooking style, like Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Swiss, Italian, Continental etc. There are number of international chain food shop like McDonald, KFC, Pizza Hut etc and numerous local chain food shop. Almost every modern shopping malls are supported by these kind of standard food shops. It is to be noted that local or Indian style cooking is too hot and too spicy for a westerner habit. It is advisable that tourists and visitors pick their foods very carefully.
Most Bangladesh Hotels are supported by its own medical, workout and swimming pool facilities. Bank outlets or ATM can be found inside, at the lobby area. Hotels in Bangladesh are surrounded by lucrative shopping malls. Tourists are mostly attracted by the pink pearls of Bangladesh. Local antiques and handy crafts are also of high value and exported to EEC countries in bulk quantities each year. Visitors and tourists enjoy Arong, a chain department store of local handy crafts and antiques and some other similar local branded shops.
However, Bangladesh tourism has an unrecoverable natural difficulty. Bangladesh weather do not support vacations round the year. The country is at tropical monsoon area in between Himalayas in the north and Bay of Bengal in the south. Summer is too hot followed by a long rainy season which is not convenient for moving around and site seeing. Winter starting from mid November to mid February is the period of vacation seekers in here. Temperature in this period stays at around 20C and humidity around 60-70%. So Bangladesh weather dictates that any Bangladesh travel should be carefully planned for timing.
There are other hazards for Bangladesh tourism too. The main cause of these hazards is over population. Population is so dense that it is hard to keep up a good maintenance of facilities. Like, the cities are not clean enough, city roads are not adequate nor in good condition etc. So there are few do nots for first time visitors and tourists. Street beggars are numerous and can make a havoc if any visitor approaches sympathetically. Ignoring or not noticing is the best and safe approach in this matter. It also goes for over enthusiastic vendors trying to sell his products. Be aware when purchasing anything out of hotel area. Offer half of the price asked for a product and walk away if refused. Carry mineral water bottle and mosquito repellent when touring remote areas. And very importantly choose your food very carefully if you have to dine at a restaurant out of your hotel. Local and Indian food flavour may be mouth watering but tough digesting too! So do not take much if not familiar or habituated with this cooking style. You can always enjoy your stay at your choice of Bangladesh Hotel and enjoy Bangladesh vacations if you remain healthy and in good health.
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