Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION:

The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism of Bangladesh, tasked to promote the tourism industry of the country. It is the National Tourism Organization of the country.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BPC:

During Pakistan Period, there was a tourism department (later called Tourism Cell) having its office in West Pakistan. This tourism department was assigned with promotion, development and regulation of tourism sector in the undivided Pakistan. Another private sector corporation came into operation at the end of 1970. “After the independence, the socioeconomic and political climate prevailing in the country was not encouraging for the private sector to participate in economic activities of wider magnitude. Therefore, it became imperative for the government to come forward for promoting tourism in Bangladesh (Talukder, 1984)”. Soon after the independence of Bangladesh, the government of the newborn Bangladesh realized the importance of tourism in its economic and social life. Therefore, the government soon decided to recognize the tourism sector by combing both of the then tourism department and the private corporation into one organization and bringing it under the government responsibilities for better coordination, promotion, development and marketing activities of the sector. Consequently, the government established the National Tourism Organization (NTO) in the name ‘Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation’ under the president order No. 143 declared in November 27, 1972. Thus, the BPC started functioning in January 1973 with limited assets of former “Pakistan Tourism Corporation” and TK. 1.00 core capital sanctioned by the government. The corporation was entrusted mainly with dual responsibility of developing tourism infrastructure and promoting Bangladesh as a tourist destination. Other responsibilities of the Corporation were included regulation and operation of tourism activities in the country. Thus, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation came into being as the NTO in Bangladesh. “As such, the structure of the tourism sector in Bangladesh is predominantly managed by the public sector. The public sector has been playing the pioneering role in the development and promotion of tourism in the country. Government’s involvement in the tourism sector is channeled through this BPC. The BPC has been placed under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. As a semiautonomous organization it enjoys wide power and authority including the right to acquire and dispose property; construct and run hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities; operate duty free shops (DFSs), transportation and car rental; establish and run training institutes; and invest its funds as it deems proper (Rahman, 2004).

The main objectives of establishing the BPC were to create an agency that would act on behalf of the government for the promotion and development of tourism in Bangladesh. The board objectives of the formation of the BPC were as follows (Consultative Committee of Public Enterprises, 1986):

1. creation of favorable impression in the minds of foreigners about tourist attractions in Bangladesh through disseminating information by various media and thereby undertaking promotional activities through various publicity media;
2. creation of physical facilities for domestic and foreign tourists by providing accommodation, catering, transportation and recreational facilities and thereby operation of the above facilities;
3. Providing with training for development of skilled manpower for employment in the travel trade sector both at home and abroad; and
4.  Regulation of tourism activities in the country.

Though Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation was mainly established to develop the infrastructure, promote tourism and project the image of Bangladesh as a tourist destination for attracting tourists but it has now simply become a major provider of tourism services and controlling as well as regulating agency of the tourist installations rather than performing its actual functions and fulfilling its true objectives as a national tourism promotion agency. Of course, the organization has created some new tourist facilities (hotels, motels, etc.), renovated, and developed the existing facilities in different important places of historical importance (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, 1994). Mainly Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (Rahman, 2004) has established tourist facilities at major tourist spots like Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Kuakata, Mongla, Teknaf, Sylhet, Dinazpur, Rangpur, Bogra, etc. “Catering units including bar facilities, some of them air-conditioned, have also been set up in some of those places. Besides, a transport fleet including air-conditioned coaches, cars, and microbuses has been procured by the BPC for facilitating tourist movements (Talukder, 1984).” The five star sonargaon hotels in Dhaka is a public sector initiative. Government is also the main partner of Dhaka Sheraton Hotel (Rahman, 2004). Thus the government and its concerned agency, the BPC, are playing their role in the development of tourism infrastructures and facilities at least to some extent. The BPC is also engaged in expanding the area of operations; improve the quality of services, promoting the image of Bangladesh. Therefore, it is expected that the tourism sector in Bangladesh will gradually start taking the organized shape in the near future.

LOCATION OF THE BPC:

Current Address and Contact Information:

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (National Tourism Organization)
83-88, Mohakhali Commercial Area, Dhaka – 1212

OBJECTIVES OF NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (NTO):

• To introduce Bangladesh globally as a top tourist destination and develop its tourism prospects and facilities.
• To establish tourism infrastructures in Bangladesh.
• To develop, expand and promote tourism business
• To create tourism awareness among the people.
• To establish institutes for instruction and training of potential tourism personnel.
• To publish tourism publications.

FUNCTIONS OF THE BPC:

  The corporation performs following functions:

  To promote and develop tourism.

  To establish tourism infrastructures in Bangladesh.

  To provide facilities to undertake measures and carry out all kinds of activities connected with tourism

 To acquire, establish, construct, arrange, provide and run hotels, restaurants, rest houses, picnic spots, camping sites, theatres, amusement parks and facilities for water skiing and entertainment.

  To establish institutes for instruction and training of potential tourism personnel.

  To bring out tourism publication.

 ORDINANCE OF THE BPC:

[Published in the Bangladesh ‘Gazette, Extraordinary,   Part H/A, dated   the.27th November I972\

 GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH

MINISTRY OF LAW AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(Law Division)

NOTIFICATION       

No. 994-Pub—-27th November 1972—the following. Order made by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 25 November 1972 is hereby published for general information:

 GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH

MINISTRY OF LAW AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(LAW Division)   .

President’s Order No. 143 of 1972

‘THE BANGLADESH. PARJATAN CORPORATION ORDER, 1912 whereas it is expedient provide for the establishment of a’ Corporation for the purpose of promotion, better operation and development of tourism in Bangladesh and for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto:-

Now, therefore,   in pursuance of the   Proclamation of   Independence of Bangladesh, read with the Provisional Constitution of Bangladesh Order, 1$72, mid in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is pleased to make the following Order;

1. This Order may be called   the   Bangladesh   Parjatan   Corporation Order, 1972.

1. It extends to the-whole of Bangladesh
2. It shall come into force at once.

2.    In this Order, unless (here is anything repugnant the    subject    01 context,—

1. “Board” means the Hoard of Directors of the Corporation;

1.  “Chairman” ‘means .Chairman of the Board;

1. ”Corporation” means the  Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation established by this Order;

1. “Director” means a Director of die Corporation;

1. “domestic tourist” means any person of Bangladesh traveling within the country for the purpose of recreation or education or health;

1. “Government” ‘means – Government of the People’s Republic of Bangla­desh

1. “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations made under this Order;

1. “Tourist” means any person traveling for more than twenty-four hours but less than six months in a country oilier than that of his normal residence but shall not include a person arriving to take up an office. Occupation or engagement for gain.

3.1)   On the coming into force of this Order, there shall be established a Corporation to be called the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation for carrying out the purposes of this Order.

2)   The Corporation shall be a body Corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Order, to ‘acquire, hold and shall by the said name and be sued.

 4.    1)   The Head office of the Corporation shall be at Dacca.

2)   The Corporation may establish office, branches or agencies at any other place in or outside Bangladesh.

 5.It shall be the function of the Corporation to promote and develop tourism, provide facilities, undertake measures and carry out all forms of activities connected with or ancillary to tourism.

  Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision.   the Corporation shall  in particular, have power: –

 To promote tourist undertaking and to control and regulate tourist installations and services.

 To project the image of Bangladesh abroad for attracting tourist by publishing history and culture of the country.

To organize reception and information facilities in or outside Bangladesh;

 To encourage and develop domestic tourism.

  to promote any organization, in or outside Bangladesh, for the purpose of engaging in any activity  falling within the functions of the Corpora­tion, or, with the previous approval of the Government, to associate with any such Organization;

 to enter into tourism agreement with foreign countries with the previous approval of the Government

 to conduct and carry out research on various aspects of tourism;

 To publish literature on tourism;

acquire, establish, construct, arrange, provide and run hotels, restaurants, rest houses, picnic, spots, campaign sites, theatres, amuse­ment parks, casinos and facilities for  water skiing and entertain­ment for tourist;

1.  to establish Travel Agency and/or work as agents for railways, shipping companies, airlines, waterways, load transport, for organizing group tours;
2. to organize shikar agencies and undertake all activities for promotion of Safari tourism and maintain game sanctuaries and game, reserve.*’, fish hatcheries and fowl breeding farms;
3. to establish institutes or make other arrangements for instruction .and training of persons engaged or likely to be engaged in any activity connected with or ancillary to tourism;
4. to acquire, hold or dispose of any property whether movable (. immovable;
5. to invest its moneys and funds and to vary I he investments as and when it may seem necessary or proper;
6. to do all other things connected with or ancillary to – any of the matter referred to in the foregoing sub-clauses;
7. to carry out any other functions as may be prescribed;

6

1. The authorized capital of the corporation shall be Taka person to be subscribed by the government, in the manner determined by the Government according to the requirements of the Corporation.

2. The initial share capital shall be Taka five lacks fully paid up and subscribed by the Government.

3. Notwithstanding anything contained in clauses (1), the corporation and for carrying on all or any of its functions have separate capital raised by local or grant from, or in such manner as may be approved by, the Government.

7.

1. Subject to the rules and regulations made under this order. The general direction and administration of the affairs and business of the Corporation shall vest in a Board of Directors, which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things, which may be exercised or done by the corporation.

2. The Board, in discharging its functions, shall act on commercial consideration having due regard to the public interest generally and shall be guided on question of policy involving national interest by such general or special instructions as may be given to it by the Government from time to time.

 8.   

1. The Board shall consist of a Chairman and not less than two and not more than four whole-time Directors to be appointed by the Government.

2. No act 01 proceeding of the Board shall be invalid merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board.

9.

1. The Chairman and the oilier Directors shall be appointed by the Government for such period and on such terms and conditions as may be deter­mined.

2. The Chairman and the Directors at live Board shall be whole-time officers of the Corporation and shall exercise functions and discharge such duties as may be prescribed.

10. No person shall be or shall continue to be a Director who,

a)    is or at any time has been adjudicated insolvent;

b)   is found to be a lunatic or of unsound mind;

c)    is or at any time has been convicted of tiny offence which, in. the opinion of the Government, is an offence involving moral turpitude;

d)   Is a minor; or absents himself from three consecutive ‘meetings of the Board without leave of absence granted by the Chairman, or, in the case of the Chairman, by the Government.

11.    

1)   The meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and at .such-places as may be prescribed: If until rules arc made in that behalf such meetings of the Board shall be convened by the Chairman.

2)   To constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Board the Chairman and at least one Director shall be present.

3)   At a meeting of the Board, each Director shall have one vote, and in the event of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

4)   If for any reason the Chairman is unable to be present at a meeting of the Board, a Director authorized in. writing by the Chairman shall preside at the meeting.

12.    The Board may delegate such powers as it may deem lit to the Chairman for the efficient functioning of the Corporation.

13. There shall be Advisory Committee, to-be known as the Parjatan Updesta Committee to perform’ such advisory functions as may be prescribed, consisting of not less than three and not more than seven persons to be appointed by the Government from urnom1, persons who by virtue of their knowledge and experience can render valuable advice regarding the promotion and development of tourism.

14.  The Corporation may open and operate any account with any scheduled Bank or banks.

15. The Corporation may invest its funds in such securities of the Govern­ment or in such manner as may be prescribed.

16. 

1. The Corporation shall maintain proper accounts and  shall prepare annual statement of accounts, including the profit and  loss account and balance sheet, in accordance with such general direction as may be issued, and in such form as may be prescribed, by the Government.

2. The accounts of the Corporation shall be audited by not less than two auditors,   being   chartered   accountants   within    the   Canine  meaning of the chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961 (Ordinance X of 1961), who shall be appointed by the Government.

3. Every auditor appointed under clause (2) shall be given a copy of the annual balance sheet and other accounts of the Corporation together with the account books and vouchers relating thereto for examination and shall at II reasonable times, have access to the books, accounts and other documents of the corporation and may in connection with such accounts examine any Director or officer of the Corporation.

4. The auditors shall report to the Government upon the annual balance sheet and the accounts and on any ancillary matter connected therewith.

5. The Government, at any time, may ‘issue directions to the auditors requiring  them to report to it upon the adequacy of measure taken by the Corporation for the protection of the interests of the Government or upon the sufficiency of their  procedure in auditing the affairs of the Corporation and any at any time, enlarge, or extend the scope of the audit or direct that different procedure in audit shall be adopted or that any other examination shall be  made by the auditors or any other persons if, in its opinion, the interest or the Govern­ment so requires.

17. 

1. The Corporation shall   furnish to the Government such returns reports and statements as the Government may from time to time require.

2. The Corporation shall, as soon as possible after the end of every financial year, furnish to the Government statement of accounts audited under. Article 16 together with an annual report; on the conduct of its affairs for that year and oil its proposal for the next ensuing financial year.
3. The copies of the audited accounts and annual report received by the Government under clause (2) shall be published in (he Official /Gazette and shall be laid before the Legislature.

18. The Corporation shall, by such date in each year as may be prescribed by rules, submit to the Government for approval a statement, in the prescribed form, for each financial year showing the estimated receipt and expenditure and the sums, which are likely to be required from the Government during the financial year.

19. The Corporation may, subject to any rules, regulations made, or directive issued by the Government, appoint such officers. Consultants, advisers and employees as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its func­tions on such terms and conditions as it may determine,

20. Notwithstanding anything continued in any other law for the time being in force, or in any memorandum or articles of association, deed or other instru­ment, on the commencement of this  order: –

a)    All assets of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Limited (hereinafter referred to the said company) in Bangladesh shall stand transferred to and vested in, the corporation.

The expression “lasers” includes all rights, powers, authorities and privileges, all property, movable and immovable, including lands, buildings, cash balances, bank deposits, reserve funds, investments and all other rights arid interests in, or arising out of, such property and all books of accounts, registers, records and all other documents of whatever nature relating thereto;

b)   All debts’ and liabilities in undertaken, all contracts entered into and, ill agreements made in Bangladesh by or with the said company shall, unless the Government otherwise directs, stand transferred to. and be deemed to have been incurred, undertaken, entered into or mode by or with, the Corporation;

c)    all suits or other legal proceedings instituted by or against the said company in Bangladesh before the commence  of this Order shall, unless the Government otherwise directs, be deemed to have been instituted by or against  the Corporation mid may be continued 01 proceeded  with accordingly;

d)    All officers and other employees of the said company in Bangladesh shall stand transferred to the Corporation on such terms and condi­tions as the corporation may determined.

Provided that an officer or other employee so transferred shall have the option not to continue in the service of the corporation.

21. The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette make rules (or the purpose of ‘giving effect to the provisions of this Order,

22.

1. The Board may, with the previous approval of the Government, make regulations, not inconsistent with the provision of this order and the rules prescribed by the Government, to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient

 (2)  All    regulations   under   clues (1) shall be published in the .Official Gazette and shall come into force on: oh publication

 MANPOWER OF THE BPC:

The Board of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, established in the year 1973 consists of a Chairman and three whole- time Directors.

Work force of the BPC

The National Tourism Organization has total workers of 871 personnel. Category position of the work force is:

MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING:

It has been recognized by the BPC that the Corporation is short of professional staff in its hotel operations division particularly and that the development of tourism in Bangladesh will require training of management cadres. These cadres would be in a position to carry forward vocational training programs for hotel and other sector workers once the basic needs have been met through a number of specially structured programs designed to remedy the current lack of trained workers for many work positions.

In order to establish and develop a professional training programmed within the tourism industry in Bangladesh, the BPC established the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI), which was jointly funded in 1978 by the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programmed (UNDP) with the International Labor Organization (ILO) as executing agency. The first phase of the project finished in 1983 and the second phase commenced in February 1986.

The Tourism Training Institute is operated under the auspices of the BPC in Mohakhali, Dhaka. In the same building is an operational of the BPC Hotel. The Institute and the hotel are housed in purpose-built facilities having, in addition to 20 bedrooms and usual hotel facilities, classroom areas, a training restaurant, training and demonstration kitchens, a front office reception area, a conference room, offices and administrative areas. It is intended during the second phase programmed to expand and up- grade HTTI to provide, inter alias, a langrage laboratory, a travel agency, a library/documentation unit, a demonstration laundry, a bakery/patisserie training unit with a retail outlet and a small video studio.

There will also be a mobile catering van for outside catering and a 26-seater coaster for the transport of trainees on study visits. The ILO, besides helping the Government to develop the hospitality industry, is also helping to develop human resources by providing in-depth training programs. The full-time courses, supervised by international experts and consultants, cover the following specializations:

• Hotel and Restaurant Kitchen Training
• Restaurant Service
• Front Office and Secretarial
• Bakery, Pastry and Confectionery
• Housekeeping Operations
• Tourist Guides
• Tour Operation and Travel Agencies.

There will also be part-time of day-release courses in various aspects of the industry, according to identified needs, such as:

• Hygiene and Sanitation for Food Handlers
• Short on-the-job Instructor Training Courses
• Communications and Social Skills
• Short courses in different aspects of catering for non-professionals.

Eventually, there will be developed a diploma course in Hotel and Catering Operations for management trainees. The current program is technical and vocational in nature and is designed to meet the immediate needs for tourism development. A serious difficulty is the low level of foreign language skills of ordinary people employees that make the inclusion of the proposed language laboratory a desirable priority. Other UNDP projects for tourism sector training will also be of assistance to Bangladesh in meeting its training needs. One project for training in tourism planning for South Asia has resulted in conclusions and recommendations that include:

• One-year scholarships, to be given for overseas training at university graduate level.
• The development of a series of three six-week regional training courses.

The courses would cover a variety of topics including statistical data collection, techniques and principles of detailed planning of resorts, and standards of control of

Environmental and social impact.

A programmer for regional cooperation in tourism training that is planned for 1988 would cover a number of conceptual matters as well as specialized training. Among the topics slated for attention are:

• Multi destination holiday packaging
• Development of market identity
• Creation of job titles for sector personnel to replace the currently used civil service names
• Improvement of staff attitudes and capability through encounter and transactional analysis courses
• Budgetary and financial management including hotel accounting
• Tour operator and ground handling courses
• Clearly all of the recommendations address topics that are important for Bangladesh, whose tourism development is closely allied with other countries in South Asia and South East Asia.

The master plan study team observed a number of weaknesses in current practices that should also be considered in the context of training programs. A good knowledge of foreign languages does not extend very far down the hotel hierarchy. Training programs of a forceful nature are required to remove inhibitions and give adequate practice in actually speaking foreign languages. No attention is given to sales promotion in restaurants when an extra sale might be made. In art, this aye is a consequence of the limited number of items actually available out of the menu list.

On the other hand, restaurant employees have been well trainee in accounting for the Sales they actually make. Because of the service charge system, there is a correlation between the two objectives. Similarly, restaurant employees in particular tend not to be as attentive as they might, again missing potential for extra sales as well as failing in their duties. It is notable that the two international hotels in Dhaka have been most successful in their employee training programs and their cooperation with the HTTI programs should be most helpful. The international hotels are also a potential source of well-trained middle and upper management personnel for new operations. The basic and long-term training needs are met in principle by the current and proposed programs. With will and commitment, they should be successful.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES OF NTO:

NTO operates 24 Commercial Units at the main tourist spots of the country. Its tourist services include:

 TOUR PROGRAMS TAKEN BY BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION:

The tours division of the BPC has developed programs for 12 tours designed to permit tourists to the most interesting parts of the country a range of attractive leaflets is provided. The tours are also built into offerings of Biman, the national airlines, which includes them on packages originating in certain European and other cities served by the airlines.

Parjatan Offers

FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS FROM TOURISM & OTHER TRAVELS:

Source: Bangladesh Bank
N.B: Foreign Exchange Earnings 2010 All Figurs are Provisiona

 ECONOMIC REVIEW OF THE BPC:

PTS Division

83-88, Mohakhaii C/A Dhaka-1212.

Economic Review, 2011.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation was established in November 1972 by an ordinance of the President & commenced its function since 1 January 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.

 Project Portfolio:

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has established some tourism facilities from 1995-96 up to 2010-2011 fiscal years. Among these projects -the extension of third floor in Hotel Abokash at Mohakhaii, Parjatan Motel Sylhet, Kuakata, Teknaf, Mongla, Dinajpur, Madhubkundo, and Tungipara in Gopalganj, Sagardari and Benapole in Jessore, Mujibnagar, Hill districts such as Bandarban, Khagrachari, Bogra and above all Kuakata 2nd Motel & Youth Inn are noticeable. The amount of investment in implementing these projects was TK 3956.66 Lacks.

A. Ongoing Projects:

In the fiscal year 2011-2012, the following   projects have been included in ADP, which are now under implementation:

1)   A Package Project named “Development of Tourism   Facilities in Different Places of Bangladesh” (Moulavibazar, Jaflong, and Kantajee & Dinajpur) at the cost of Tk. 1221.90 Lacks is under implementation. The construction of two components under this package project (Kantajee & Dinajpur) has already been completed. The cumulative physical progress of the project is 30%.

2)   A Package Project named “Development of Tourism Facilities at Chapainababganj, Kishoreganj, Rajshahi and Rangpur” at the cost of Tk. 1435.47 Lacks is under implementation. The construction of all components under this package project is going on. The cumulative physical progress of the project is 20%.

3)   A Package Project named “Construction of a New Parjatan Motel at Motel Shaikat Compound in Chittagong and Horizontal Extension of Hotel Shabal at Cox’s Bazar” at the cost of Tk. 4495.85 Lacks has been approved by the ECNEC dated 25/01/2011. The Drawing & Design of the project has already been completed.

4)   Besides these, another project named “Construction of a new Parjatan Motel at Rangamati”at the cost of Tk. 1140.01   lacks is under implementation under Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Assistance. The cumulative physical progress of the project is 38%

 B. Future Project:

a. ADP (2011-2012) included Projects:

b Prime Minister’s Committed/Directed Project:

Others Projects:

1. Construction of International Standard Tourism Centre for Multi-purpose use at Tungipara of Gopalgonj
2. Construction of WatchTower at Kuakata.
3. Creation of Tourism Facilities near Bangabandhu Shetu.
4. Construction of Parjatan Bhaban at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka.
5. Development of Tourism facilities near Bhairab Shetu of Kishoregonj & Shindurmati of Lalmonirhat along with Creation of Tourism Facilities at 5 Different Places of Bangladesh
6. Construction of Bangabandhu Chinta Nibash at Monpura of Bhola,
7. Creation of Tourism Facilities at Panchagar
8. Creation of Tourism Facilities at Nijhumdip of Noakhali
9. Horizontal Extension of Parjatan Hotel Poshur at Mongla and Parjatan Hotel Netong at Teknaf

10. Creation of Tourism Facilities near proposed PadmaBridge.

BPC’s self-finance Development Activities:

 Construction of Jhinuk Market at Cox’s Bazar ;

 Repair & Renovation works of Motel Upal, Cox’s Bazar & Suite Rooms of Rajshahi Motel;

 Repair, Renovation and Maintenance works of M.L Shalook water vessel;

 Construction of Boundary Wall of JoyRestaurant at Savar;

 Construction of Duty Free Shops at Departure and Arrival Lounges of  OsmaniInternationalAirport, Sylhet;

 Repair & Renovation works of NHTTIBuilding at Mohakhali, Dhaka

  Beautification of RangamatiHangingBridge and its protection from erosion.

 Introduction of 50% discount on BPC’s accommodation facilities for Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh as per instruction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister;

  Introduction of 50% discount on BPC accommodation facilities for Disabled Persons of the country; S    Installation of Ramps at the entrance of BPC’s all Hotels, Motels for smooth movement of the disabled persons;

 Proposed Project for Public Private Partnership:

Besides, as many as 33 projects have been identified for implementation through Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

• Ø Commercial Outlets of the BPC:
  • Total Outlets : 38
  • Outlets operated by Private Sector under management Contract: 15
  • Outlets operated by the BPC : 23
  • Total Accommodation in beds : 1268
  • Total seats of Restaurant: 1740

Human Resources Development Programmed in different Parjatan Sector:

To develop human resources 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 Thirty thousand students have been trained in different courses here until today. Many of them are working at home and abroad and Govt. earns a big amount from this sector.

 Duty Free Shop Activities:

The corporation is operating three duty free shops at Hazrat Shahjalal (R) InternationalAirport and one is ChittagongAirport offering shopping opportunity for the tourists. Earning of Duty Free Shop is one of the main sources of income for the BPC.

 Publicity and Marketing Activities:

Tourism is a publicity-oriented industry. It is as far spread as much publicity is done. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has engaged itself to print different publicity items including tour itinerary for distribution through Bangladeshi Missions in abroad. The main publicity and marketing activities of the BPC are as follows:

• Ø Publication and distribution of a brochure on “Memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman;
• Ø Creation of BPC’s new web portal – www.parjatan.gov.bd
• Ø Continuing the voting activities in favor of the Sundarbans for its enlistment in the new 7 wonders of nature;
• Organizing of month long Tourism festival;
• Ø Framing of National Tourism Policy 2010;
• Ø Enactment of Law on Tourism Protected Area and Exclusive Tourist Zone’ 2010;
• Ø Formation of Tourism Board;
• Ø Preparation of a list of the existing hotels, motels, rest houses, guest houses etc (both in govt. and private sector) in the country;
• Ø To familiarize country branding & Slogan in different organizations & its proper publicity through media; “=>   Formulation of tourism vision 2021. <=>   to prepare Master Plan for development of important tourist spots like Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata.

 Other Activities by the Govt.

 Tour Unit Activities:

The local & foreign tourists visit the tourism-enriched areas of the country by tour unit. This kind of tour either package or tailor-made induced by the organization conducted by the tour unit whether in a group or individual tourists. River-Cruise is arranged according to the demand of the tourists using BPC’s owned water-vessel or hired vessel

• Ø Income-Expenditure of the commercial units of BPC:

Income-Expenditure of BPC from 1995-1996 to 2010-2011

(In Lacks Taka)

 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.

Allocation in ADP for Tourism Development:

    (In Lacks Taka)

 Ø Statistics of Tourist Arrival and Foreign Exchange Earnings from this sector:

The following table shows the number of tourist and earnings from this sector:

Source: SB and Bangladesh Bank.

…………………………x…………………………

CHALLENGES OF THE BPC:

It is unfortunate that in the past Bangladesh had to witness political violence, steep corruption and religious fanaticism on its soil but what is more unfortunate is much of the stigma attached to the country’s image resulted from irresponsible reporting by the media. With the new trend set, now it is time to prove the critics wrong-footed.

Besides ensuring lasting political stability and social security, Bangladesh needs to put in place the proper infrastructure before it can catch up with the countries in Southeast Asia or even outdo them in terms of tourist and traveler arrivals. Managing tourism involves a long supply chain – from transportation to accommodation to tour operation services – and tourists can be put off at any stage of the chain because of prevalence of any unfavorable conditions. This explains why a synergy of the relevant public and private organizations in Bangladesh is of utmost importance for boosting the tourism sector.

Another area that the service and hospitality sector in Bangladesh needs to be particularly mindful of is savoir-faire in interacting with foreign travelers and tourists. An extra sheen in the locution of a hotel employee can make a huge difference in business. Most of the lapses that are complained of are partly due to training or lack of it. Training in communicative and behavioral skills by incompetent trainers is useless, can be counterproductive even, the trainee losing his natural ability to behave better.