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Welcome to Bangladesh

TOURISM IN BANGLADESH

A FORETASTE OF BANGLADESH

Full Country name: People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Capital: Dhaka.

President: Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed

Chief Advisor: Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed

Government: Parliamentary form of Government. 

Area: 1,47,570 sq. km

Population: 140 million

Religion: Islam 90%, Hindu 9% and others 1%

Language: Bangla

Monetary Unit: Taka (Tk)

Literacy Rate: 65%

Time Zone: GMT+6 hours.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Hours of work

Government     : 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. (Sun-Thu)

Banks             : 9.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m. (Sun-Thu)

Business         : 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. (Sat-Thu)

Shopping Hours: 9.00 a.m.-8.00p.m. (Sat-Fri)

Public Holidays

February: Amar Ekushey–21 February also known as Shaheed Day or the National Martyrs’ Day. It is now observed as “International Mother Language Day” across the world after the declaration of UNESCO.

March: Independence Day–26 March.

May: May Day –1 May.

June: Bank Holiday–30 June.

December: Victory Day–16 December, Christmas Day 25 December, Bank Holiday–31 December. Other holidays include Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist religious festivals, dates of which are subject to appearance of the moon.

Medical Facilities

Modern and well-equipped specialized and general hospitals are available 24 hours. Please check with the nearest medical center available to you.

GEOGRAPHICAL OVERVIEW

Bangladesh is situated on the north-eastern side of the South Asian Subcontinent. Her long southern coastline along the Bay of Bengal shares the Indian Ocean with India and Myanmar. It is bordered with India on the east, west and north and a small segment with Myanmar in the south-east. On the north of Bangladesh lies Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan and to their north sprawls the vast territories of Tibet in the People’s Republic of China.  The plains of Bangladesh are watered by one of the most remarkable network of rivers in the world, the important rivers are the Padma, the Meghna, the Brahmaputra and the Jamuna. The Hills, which are located in Sylhet, the north-eastern part of the country and the Hill Tracts Districts, of south-eastern part are mostly low hills covered with green forests.

HISTORICAL BACKDROP

The history of Bangladesh has been one of the extremes, of turmoil, peace, prosperity and destitution. It has thrived under the glow of cultural splendours and suffered under the ravages of war. The earliest mention of Bangladesh is found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata (9^th Century BC). Evidence also suggests that there was a strong Mongoloid presence here. Soon after, in the 5^th and 6^th centuries BC, came the Aryans from Central Asia and the Dravidians from Western India. Then came the Guptas, Palas, Senas, who were Buddhist and Hindus.

Inroads of Turkish Muslim conquerors, preceded and forwarded by Arab Traders and Muslim saints, mostly from Yemen, Iraq and Iran, into the country early in 13^th Century A.D. established the Muslim rule which continued up to the 18^th Century. Sometimes, there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi and Ilyas Shahi dynasties while at other times they ruled on behalf of the seat of Delhi. From 15^th Century, the Europeans, namely the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British Traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British Political rule over the region began in 1757 AD Nabab Sirjudouhla when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947, during the partition of Indian sub-continent into India and Pakistan, present Bangladesh became the eastern wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy for East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural differences and economic disparities between the two wings. The seeds of Independence were sown through the language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bangla as the state language. Ultimately, the then East Pakistan emerged as a sovereign and an independent state of Bangladesh in 1971 after a nine-month long war of liberation.

HOW TO REACH BANGLADESH

Air: Bangladesh can be reached by air from any part of the world. Biman Bangladesh Airlines connects Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet with 26 major cities of the world. International carriers like British Airways, Thai Airways, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Singapore Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Air India, Indiam Airlines, Emirates, Gulf Air, Dragon Air, Uzbek Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Yemen Airways, Iran Air and Malayasian Airlines fly to and from Dhaka.

Land:

Through Benapole, Agartola, Burimari & Tamabil check posts bordering India.

HOW TO TRAVEL WITHIN BANGLDESH (TRANSPORTATION)

Major cities i.e. Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Jessore and Cox’s Bazar are connected by Air with Dhaka. These destinations are served by Biman (national flag cattier) and private Airlines.

Rail:

The Bangladesh Railway provides an effacient service to places of interest such as Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Comilla, Rajshahi, Dinajpur starting from Dhaka. The inter-city Express Service is available to and from important cities at cheap fares.

Bus/Coach Services:

All the cities of the country are connected by road. Express and non-stop Air-conditioned coach services are available to principal towns from Gabtoli, Saidabdad and Mohakhali bus terminals in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also maintains a country-wide network of coach services including international routes like Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka, and Dhaka-Agartala-Dhaka which run daily direct services via Benapole, Jessore and Akhaura, Comilla check post.

River:

The landscape of Bangladesh is dominated by about 250 rivers which flow essentially north-south. Mechanised water transport is mainly operated by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), which runs ferry a launch services on the main routes. There are also services run by private companies. Country boats are the most widely used means of transport on rivers and streams which carry passengers and merchandise on a large scale in rural areas.

Car Rental:

Private car hire services including internationally reputed cab services, “Hertz” rent-a-cars are also available.

Taxis:

Private metered taxi service is available in major cities. Most drivers can communicate in basic English. It is better to agree on the rate before starting a journey if the taxi is a non-metered one.

THINGS TO DO IN BANGLADESH

Adventure Tourism

Wildlife: Bangladesh has several Zoological gardens with abundant wildlife (including the rare Royal Bengal tiger) and many species of exotic birds. Tours (usually for groups of 10 or more people) are organized by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

Water sports: Kapati Lake located in the Rangamati Hill District offers good opportunities for sailing, swimming and fishing. A range of water sports is also available on the coast, particularly at Cox’s Bazar. Boating enthusiasts may head to Sundarbands National Park, large Parts of which are only accessible by rowing boat.

Turtle Hatchery: In Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island, there are number of Turtle Hatcheries who are engaged in collecting sperm of turtles from the sea beach and hatching for the production of the turtles. These young turtles are sent to the sea and this is how the environment of the sea is balanced. With a little effort a tourist can enjoy this unique and rare process of turtles hatching.

Sports and Leisure Activities: Cricket, Hockey and football and water sports are amongst the most popular national sports.

BEFORE LEAVING FOR BANGLADESH TRAVELLERS’ ESSENTIAL

Climate

Bangladesh is hot humid in summer and pleasantly cool in winter. During the monsoon, it rains heavily–average rain fall being 136.42cm. The climate is characterized by moderately high temperature for about eight months in the year, maximum temperature in summer ranges between 30º C and 38º C, while the minimum during the winter is 9º C.

Health Requirements

Visitors to Bangladesh travelling from yellow fever infected areas, of travellers of more than 1 year of age, should have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever.

What to wear?

Lightweight, cotton and linen clothes should be worn during the summer, warmer clothes are recommended in the winter times and waterproof clothing is required during the monsoon. Traditionally males wear are Punjabis, Fatuas and Pajamas. Hindus wear is Dhuty for religious purposes. Now-a-days common dresses of males are shirts and trousers. Bangladeshi women habitually wear saris.

Currency

Bangladeshi Taka (Tk) = 100 poisha. Notes are in denominations of Tk 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 poisha.

Currency exchange: All foreign currency exchanged must be entered on a currency declaration form. US$1 = Taka 70.00      (kindly confirm the exact rates before leaving)

Credit cards: Limited acceptance of Master Card, Diners Club and American Express. Cash and travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred by banks to British pounds. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, guest-houses and restaurants in Dhaka and Chittagong, but virtually nowhere else.

PASSPORT & VISA FORMALITIES

1. Valid passport is required for nationals of all countries for visit to Bangladesh. However, passports are not required for the holders of identity certificates, laissez-passers issued by United Nations and its affiliate bodies, continuous Discharge Certificate/ Nullies/ Seaman Book (Travelling on duty to join or repatriate from ship) issued by any country recognized by Bangladesh.

2. Visas are required for nationals of all countries with the following exceptions: Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, St. Kitts and Nevis, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Western Samoa and Zambia. 'No visa required' means that no visa is required for stay in Bangladesh up to 90 days only. For further extension of stay permission is required. European, North American and Australian passport holders of Bangladesh origin do not require visa provided they pay US$ 50 or equivalent and have their passports stamped "No visa required for travel to Bangladesh" by Bangladesh Missions abroad.

3. The Immigration Authority may issue Landing Permit (LP) or Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) to the following category of visitors:

a) Residents and nationals of the countries where Bangladesh Missions are not located and countries which extend LP or VOA formalities to Bangladesh Nationals (on reciprocal basis); this however will not be applicable to residents and nationals of those countries against which the government of Bangladesh has imposed sanctions/embargo;

b) Foreign investors with proper documents or documents certified by the officials of the Board of Investment (BOI) or Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) or Ministry of Industry presented at the airport on arrival;

c) Foreign delegates invited by ministries or divisions of the government of Bangladesh to seminars, workshops or international conventions for only the tenure of the stated event provided written request along with documents testifying documents satisfactory to the Immigration Authority;

d) Foreigners directly involved in export oriented establishments with documents and TIN (Tax Identification Number) of the concerned export oriented establishment certified by Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) or Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) or other Associations of Export Oriented Institutions of Bangladesh;

e) Foreign passport holders of Bangladesh origin by Birth, their children, husband or wife;

f) Foreign husband/wife of a Bangladesh national;

g) Foreigners with certified documents issued by Tablig Committee, Kakrail Mosque, Dhaka for the purpose of Tablig Jamat; and

h) Doctor/medical team with invitation letter issued by foreign diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, United Nations and/or its affiliate organizations for the purpose of emergency treatment and medical care of its officers or employees.

In all the above-mentioned cases of LP or VOA the following procedures/conditions must be observed:

1) Arriving foreigners must have a return ticket and at least US$ 500 endorsed in their passport;

2) Entry-Exit of persons issued with LP/VOA must be through the same airport; and

3) Landing Permit/Visa-On-Arrival may be issued for a maximum period of 30(thirty) days unless otherwise stated and will not be extended under any circumstances (non-extendible).

Source: Ministry of Home Affaires, Government of Bangladesh

CURRENCY REGULATIONS

A tourist may bring in any amount of foreign currency in the form of Traveller's Cheque, Bank notes or any other monetary instrument provided s/he makes a written declaration in FMJ (Foreign Money and Jewelry) form obtainable from the customs desk at the port of entry. However for up to US$ 3000 or equivalent other foreign currency no declaration is required. The unspent balance can be repatriated while leaving Bangladesh.

Source: Bangladesh Bank 

TOURIST BAGGAGE RULES

Tourist Baggage (import) Rules-1981 shall apply to visitors staying in the country for more than 24 hours but not more than 06 (six) months on condition that the visitor shall not intend to reside in the country nor shall get remunerated from within it. In that event s/he shall be allowed to import the following items without duty or tax:

1.     Personal/imitation jewelry of value not exceeding BDT 3000.

2.     One in use wristwatch.

3.     One cigarette lighter, two fountain pens, a penknife or instrument of 

        similar use that can be carried in pocket or on person.

4.      One electric Iron, portable electric hot plate, a hair drier and an electric   

        shaver.

5.     One still camera;

6.     One movie camera;

7.     One cinematographic camera and a projector;

8.     Pair of binoculars;

9.     One portable sound recording machine;

10.   One portable music system;

11.   One portable typewriter;

12.   One wheel/invalid chair in use;

13.   One perambulator or go-cart;

14    Fire arms for shooting and other sports accessories;

15.   Metal objects- Trophy, medallion, crests etc;

16.   Clothing for personal use;

17.   Handbag and goods essential for traveling;

18.   Other personal wearing apparels, makeup & cosmetics;

19.   Spectacles, physical aid and a travel clock;

20.   Five photographic film or ten film plates;

21.   Reasonable quantity of film for movie camera;

22.   Two roll of film for Cinematographic camera;

23.   Reasonable quantity of toys for use of accompanying children;

24.   200 hundred sticks of cigarette or 50 cigars or 1/2 lb. of tobacco or

        less than 1/2 lb of hand made cigarettes;

25.   Not more than 1/3 gallon of alcoholic beverages;

26.   1/2 lb of perfume and toiletries;

27.   Not more than BDT 100 of confectionaries and non-alcoholic

        beverages;

With the understanding that a tourist shall re-export items 1-15 listed above. In addition a tourist may import a non-professional video camera and/or a microcomputer with less than 01-megabyte initial random access memory and C&F value not exceeding BDT 100 000 provided the intention to re-export the said computer and/or video camera is endorsed in passport and also make a written declaration of such intentions to the assistant commissioner of customs.

Source:  Bangladesh Baggage Rules (Customs), National Board of Revenue

RESTRICTED ENTRY:  The government of Bangladesh refuses admission and transit to nationals of Israel.

AIRPORT INFORMATION: Zia International Airport, Dhaka is the main gateway to Bangladesh and located at a distance of 25 km. from the capital. The National Tourism Organization (BPC) runs a Tourist Information Centre (TIC) at ZIA. Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong and Osmany International Airport, Sylhet are the other two International Airports where information for the tourists is available.

AIRPORT FACILITIES

For quick immigration check of the tourists at the Dhaka airport, a separate Tourists Reporting Center exists at the immigration area. Clearance of tourists at the Health, immigration and Customs counter is also done expeditiously. Currency conversion facilities exist in Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank and Pubali Bank branches located at the ground floor lounge of the airport. A tourist is allowed to take out local handicrafts and souvenirs for non-commercial purpose up to a value of Taka 3000.00 free of tax. Certain items such as antiques or articles of historic value are however prohibited for export.

ESTABLISHMENT OF BPC

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation was established in November 1972 by an ordinance of the President & commenced its function since 1973. As a National Tourism Organization (NTO), the foremost objectives of the corporation are to promote tourism in Bangladesh, build up positive image of the country in abroad, elevate infrastructure at tourism sites, provide services to the tourists and flourish tourist resources that exist in Bangladesh, creating employment opportunity in different sector of this industry which is helpful to alleviate poverty. As National Tourism Organization, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has setup some hotels and motels in different places of Bangladesh for the convenience of the tourists.

PROJECT PORTFOLIO

 Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has successfully established some tourism facilities from 1995-96 upto 2005-2006 fiscal year. Among these projects -the extension of 3rd floor in Hotel Abokash at Mohakhali, Parjatan Motel Sylhet, Kuakata, Teknaf, Mongla, Bagerhat, Dinajpur, Madhubkundo, Tongipara-Gopalgonj and Sagardari and Benapole in Jessore, Mujibnagar, Hill districts such as Bandarban, Khagrachari and above all Bogra Motel are noticeable.

ON GOING PROJECTS

In the fiscal year 2006-2007 the following 3 projects under a package  included in ADP  at the cost of Tk. 1004.00 lacs which are now  under implementation. 

a. Construction of Motel  and Youth Inn at Kuakata.

b. Development of Buddhist Temple at kuakata.

c. Procurement of 2 AC Tourist Coaches.

d. Creation of tourist facilities at Mirinza, Lama, Bandarban District.

FUTURE PROJECTS

Steps have been taken to implement  the following 6 projects under a package  project at the cost of Tk. 1829.00 lacs which is for consideration un Planning Commission. 

a) Construction of Parjatan Complex at Moulavibazar;

b) Construction of Parjatan Facilities at Jaflong, Sylhet;

c) Construction of Way Side Parjatan Facilities besides at Thakurgaon-Panchgar Road;

d) Construction of Parjatan Facilities at Kantaji’s Temple area, Dinajpur;

e) Establishment of Ethnic Village at Gajipur;

     f) Vertical Extension of Parjatan Motel, Dinajpur;

INITIATIVES TAKEN UP FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENTS:

1) "Beach Management Committee" has been formed to increase the enhance tourism facilities, security and immaculate preservation of Cox's Bazar and Kuakata Sea-beach.

2) "District Tourism Development Committee" has been formed in all the districts.

3) All commercial outlets of BPC has been brought under Computer Network System. 

 4) Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation leased out 13 acres land of Sylhet Parjatan Motel and Foy's Lake to the Private Sector for developing modern Amusement Park and Tourism Complex on BOT basis to implement the government decision of developing the industry.

 5) To ensure better services to tourists and increase the income of the corporation some of its outlets have been leased out to private sector which are  Parjatan Motel Upal, Labonee at Cox’s Bazar, Syhet Motel, Rest house in Moulovibazar, Ruchita Restaurant & Bar, Shakura Restaurant & Bar, Merrianderson floating restaurant and Parjatan Motel of Banderban . Moreover other outlets - Parjatan Motel Netaung, Teknaf, Cox's Bazar; Parjatan Motel Dinajpur; Parjatan Motel Bogra; Auditorium, Cottage & Bar, Rangamati; Hotel Pashur & Bar, Mongla, Bagerhat; Hotel Modhumoti, Tungipara, Gopalgonj; Parjatan Complex  Sagordari, Jessor and Parjatan Restaurant at Madhabkunda, Moulavibazar, recently  constructed  5 luxury Cottage   are under process.

 6)  An agreement has been signed between Bangladesh and China about group tour of Chinas Tourist which is termed as ADS (Approved Destination Status).

 7)   Step has been taken to enact Tour Operator Registration Law.

8)     Steps have been taken to receive foreign support for tourism development in the country.  

 Human Resource Development Programme in different Parjatan Sector:

 To develop human resource in tourism industry, besides conducting commercial activities Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has established National Hotel Tourism Training (NHTTI) in 1974.  A two years diploma course on Hotel-Management has been started in 2002. As many as twenty four thousand students have been trained in different courses here till today. Many of them are working at home and abroad and Govt. earns a big amount from this sector. It is to be mentioned that after paying the operating cost of the head office and commercial units from own income of this organization, a commendable amount of money is being deposited in the Govt. treasury as VAT, Income-Tax etc.

  Foreign Visitors Arrival by Months (1998-2006)