Sajek could be a global tourist spot 

Sajek Valley can be developed as an international tourism destination not only for its scenic beauty but also for the lifestyle, food, clothing, culture and year-round festivals of its ethnic communities. 


In an interview on Monday, he said the country’s tourism sector is moving in a better direction compared with the past. After overcoming the previous difficult situation, the sector is gradually moving towards a healthier environment. Domestic tourists are also travelling more than before.

According to Masud, transportation is one of the key elements of tourism, while accommodation is another major component. Whether it is air, water or land transport, higher fares make travel difficult for tourists. The cost of hotel accommodation is then added to the overall expense. Tourism traffic largely depends on these two factors.

As a result, tourism traffic is declining, and many tour operators, particularly those involved in outbound tourism, are struggling to survive.

Regarding Sajek, Masud said there has so far been no significant government support. However, an initiative has been taken to celebrate World Tourism Day in Sajek this year.

A rally and cultural programme involving the ethnic communities living in the area are planned to highlight their existence, lifestyle and cultural heritage and to inform the world that Sajek is an attractive destination for inbound tourism.


Tourists particularly enjoy the lifestyle of the ethnic communities, their food, clothing, housing and cultural activities. Sajek has one festival or another throughout the year, but these aspects are not being properly showcased to people, which remains a major barrier.

Access to Safe Spots: Regarding safety and security concerns in the hill areas, Masud said there are some national-level issues as well as responsibilities for tourism operators.

He said the entire hill region is effectively under a kind of “red alert”, particularly for foreign tourists, whose access is currently highly restricted.

Visa Policy Must Be Simplified: Masud said international marketing alone will not be enough unless Bangladesh makes its visa process easier.

He said he understands that an initiative has already been taken to change the visa policy and that a committee is working on the matter. 

 “Getting a visa for Bangladesh is genuinely difficult. This needs to be made easier,” he said.

He also suggested that the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, could play a greater role in attracting foreign tourists. According to him, Biman could operate a dedicated holiday wing, even with government subsidies, to attract tourists for holiday purposes.

Many international airlines have holiday divisions, he noted. Since some seats on Biman flights remain vacant, those seats could potentially be used through attractive holiday packages targeting foreign tourists.

“If we can focus on these two areas-visa facilitation and holiday tourism-and receive government support, tour operators, hotels, motels and resorts will benefit, as will the country,” he said.

Tourism Can Be a Major Source of Foreign Currency: Masud said tourism can make a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s foreign exchange earnings because tourist spending quickly spreads across different sectors of the economy.

“If a foreign tourist brings $100 to Bangladesh, that money is spent on shopping, daily necessities, accommodation, transport and other services. It circulates quickly and creates wider economic benefits,” he said.

 “A tourist leaves Bangladesh with some memories, photographs and souvenirs. The rest of the dollars they spend remain in our economy,” he said.

He called for greater government attention to international tourism branding, visa simplification and airline-based holiday initiatives. Such measures, he said, would benefit tour operators, hotels, motels and resort investors while contributing to the broader economic development of Bangladesh.