FROM BANDARBAN: Tourists are respected as ‘gods’ to us. So, we try to entertain them with due hospitality when they come to Chittagong Hill Tracks (CHT) districts.

“We are working to increase awareness among all of our stakeholders,” said Bandarban District Council chairman Kya Shai Hla.

The district council has already taken several steps to transform the hill district to an outright tourism destination.

“I am very optimist about this transformation,” said the chairman in a conversation at his office in Bandarban on October 19.

Tourist-friendly Shai Hla said Bandarban has potential for ecotourism. If we can plan properly, the district will be the most attractive tourism spot in the country. Even cable-car services can also be introduced in the hills in public-private venture.

Proper trainings have also been provided to local tourism officials so that they can treat tourists properly, he added. Awareness building workshops were also organized for auto-rickshaw drivers, jeep (locally called ‘chander gari’) drivers, hotel owners and managers.

He further said, “We are trying to convince the people, who are related to tourism, to realize that tourists are considered as ‘gods’ to us. In fact, tourists are the source of our income. So, we need to be humble to them. We must not harass them or demand excessive fare under any circumstances. We are trying to create these types of awareness among them.”

The chairman said Bandarban still has not been announced as a tourism district officially. But they are working together to make it as a world class tourism spot.

Shai Hla also highlighted the need for policy to make Bandarban a tourist-friendly destination. Guideline regarding the movement of tourists is also need so that they can enjoy the bounty of nature safely.

At the same time, it will lessen the harassment in traveling the area because the frequent checking in every point will discourage both for local and foreign tourists.

BDST: 1936 HRS, OCT 20, 2016
AP/BD/RR