Department Of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Faculty of Business Studies

University Of Dhaka

A Thesis paper on
“Potentiality of Community-based tourism in Bangladesh”
Submitted To:
Jameni Jabed Suchana
Lecturer
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Submitted By:
Nadia Binta Noor
ID: 92
Section B
THM 8th Batch
 Letter of Transmittal

26 March, 2019

Jameni Jabed Suchana

Lecturer
Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management

University of Dhaka

Subject: Submission of a report on “Potentiality of Community-based tourism in Bangladesh”

Dear Sir,
I am hereby submitting my report paper which is a part of the BBA program curriculum. It is
a great acquisition to work under your active supervision.

The report is on “Potentiality of Community-based tourism in Bangladesh”. This work helps

me to enhance my knowledge of community-based tourism in the perspective of Bangladesh.
I will be thankful if receive this paper and provide your precious judgment. I would also be
grateful if you find this report useful and informative to have an apparent perspective on this
issue.

Sincerely Yours,

……………………..
Nadia Binta Noor

ID No: 92
Batch: 8th, Section: B

Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Faculty of Business Studies

University of Dhaka
 Acknowledgement

With the blessing of the Almighty Allah, I have finally completed my thesis. So at the very
beginning, I am very thankful to Allah for giving me the patience to finish the thesis work in
time. Then I want to thanks my parents for being my inspiration in every success of my life.

Then I am profoundly grateful to my honorable Supervisor teacher Jameni Jabed Suchana,

Lecturer, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka; who with
her precious advice and guidelines inspired me to prepare this paper properly. I am also very
grateful to the people who assist me in providing essential information and help me filling up
the questionnaire.

I am lucky enough to have my seniors as well as my friends on my side during this thesis work.
So I am profoundly grateful to all of them.
 Certificate of Approval

This is to certify that Nadia Binta Noor, ID 92, BBA 8th Batch, Department of Tourism and
Hospitality Management, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, has successfully
prepared the study on “Potentiality of Community-based tourism in Bangladesh” under my
supervision.

I have gone through the whole study and found it to be a well-written. She has prepared the
study by herself. During the program, she was sincere proactive and attentive to her work.
Hereby, I accept the study as the successful completion of the internship program. I wish her
success in life.

………………………

Jameni Jabed Suchana

Lecturer

Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Faculty of Business Studies

University of Dhaka
 Declaration of Student

I am Nadia Binta Noor, a student of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), of the

Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Dhaka. I solemnly
declare that the work presented in this report is an original work done by me under the
supervision of Jameni Jabed Suchana, Lecturer, Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Management, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka.

This report is about “Potentiality of Community-based tourism in Bangladesh” has only been
prepared for the fulfillment of the course of the internship as the partial requirement of Bachelor
of Business Administration (BBA).

…………………..

Nadia Binta Noor

ID 92

BBA 8th Batch

Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Faculty of Business Studies

University of Dhaka
 Executive Summary

Tourism is the fastest growing economic sectors which are the prime earning source of many
developing countries like Bangladesh. The countries of Asia-Pacific are now on the focus of
many international tourists and Bangladesh is one of them. Bangladesh has a plethora of natural
and cultural resources which make it fascinating to tourist. It has mind blowing natural
resources, cultural attractions, archeological and historical sites and most importantly great
hospitable mind towards the tourists. Moreover, the people of Bangladesh are very friendly and
cooperative to help each other. Tourist can have the best hospitality services in here. Every
year large numbers of tourists come to visit in our country. It has been reported that in 2016
about 620,000 foreign tourists visited in Bangladesh and in 2015 the number was 600,000. So
the scenario shows that the ratio of the tourist is increasing eventually. Tourism is one of the
sectors which is very lucrative in Bangladesh. As part of tourism, CBT can also be successful
and can reach its apex of success. Bangladesh has the three renowned World Heritage sites and
they are The Sundarban, Historic Mosque in the city of Bagerhat, and Ruins of the Buddhist
Vihara at Paharpur among 1007. Besides, it has green natural and rich cultural assets which
attract tourist to visit our country and community-based tourism can be constructed based on
these resources. Tourism sector of Bangladesh is looked after by Bangladesh Parjatan
Corporation (BPC) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Community-based
tourism is a new phenomenon and in our country, it has huge possibilities to flourish. This
paper is decorated with the present situation and trend of community-based tourism, scopes of
involving local people, the importance of CBT, and core strategies of developing community-
based tourism. A qualitative survey is also conducted among the community people to collect
their opinions about community-based tourism. The way of developing community-based
tourism is explained in this paper. Their opinion leads the paper to the statement that,
community-based tourism helps community people to get involved in the community tourism
along with having the advantage of receiving the maximum benefit from it. And involving the
community people to this sector can assure the development of the community as well as the
country.
Table of Contents
Chapter 01: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background of the Study .......................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Objective ................................................................................................................................. 2
1.3.1 Primary Objective.............................................................................................................. 2
1.3.2 Secondary Objective ......................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.4.5 Data Collection Procedure ................................................................................................. 2
1.5 Limitation ................................................................................................................................ 3
Chapter 02: The Literature review ..................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 03: An Overview of Community-Based Tourism in Bangladesh ........................................... 10
3.1 Community-based tourism..................................................................................................... 10
3.2 The core strategies for community tourism development in Bangladesh ................................ 10
3.2.1 Partnership Encouragement ............................................................................................ 10
3.2.2 Proper Plan and Steps ..................................................................................................... 10
3.2.3 Community Involvement ................................................................................................. 11
3.2.4 Environmental Management ........................................................................................... 12
3.3 The importance and benefits of community-based tourism ................................................... 12
3.3.1 Sustainable Development................................................................................................ 12
3.3.2 Earning Source of the Community People........................................................................ 12
3.3.3 Improve the Lifestyle of Community................................................................................ 12
3.3.4 Preservation of Historical Sites ........................................................................................ 12
3.3.5 Conservation of Environment .......................................................................................... 12
3.3.6 Upholds the Fame of the Country .................................................................................... 13
3.3.7 Overall Community Development ................................................................................... 13
3.4 The scopes for involving the local community in tourism ....................................................... 13
3.4.1 Home-stay program ........................................................................................................ 13
3.4.2 Community tour guide .................................................................................................... 13
3.4.3 Handmade local craft ...................................................................................................... 14
3.4.4 Cultural Performers ......................................................................................................... 14
3.4.5 Community leaders ......................................................................................................... 14
3.4.6 Local restaurant .............................................................................................................. 14
3.4.7 Agro tourism ................................................................................................................... 14
3.4.8 Local transport ................................................................................................................ 14
Chapter 04: Potentials of Developing CBT in Bangladesh ................................................................. 17
 4.1 Effective CBT zones: ............................................................................................................... 17
4.1.1 The three hill districts ...................................................................................................... 18
4.1.2 Sundarbans ..................................................................................................................... 19
4.1.3 Cox’s Bazar ...................................................................................................................... 19
4.1.4 Kuakata ........................................................................................................................... 19
4.2 Planning of BTB (Bangladesh Tourism Board) ......................................................................... 20
4.3 Impact of CBT in Bangladesh .................................................................................................. 20
4.3.1 Social impact of CBT ........................................................................................................ 20
4.3.2 Cultural impact of CBT..................................................................................................... 20
4.3.3 Economic impact of CBT .................................................................................................. 21
4.3.4 Environmental impact of CBT .......................................................................................... 21
Chapter 05: Conclusion.................................................................................................................... 23
5.1 Challenges ............................................................................................................................. 23
5.2 Suggestion ............................................................................................................................. 23
5.3 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 24
References ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Table of Figure

Figure 01 Page 13
Figure 02 Page 15
Figure 03 Page 17
 CHAPTER ONE

____________________

INTRODUCTION
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Chapter 01: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
The term community is a symbol of unity where local administration, local people, local
influential people all together share the common circumstances and property of the society and
have several norms and behavior in general. As like the community, community-based tourism
is based on the community where all the community people help together to make tourism
better for the tourist as well as better for themselves.

Community-based tourism is a vast concept where local residents with the help of local
authority and other connective stakeholders of the community call on the tourist to enjoy the
lifestyle of the local people by visiting their community. The uniqueness of this concept is the
provision of overnight accommodation in the local resident’s home. In most of the tourist
destination, tourists usually use hotel, motel, resort and so many places as their accommodation
but in the community-based tourism (CBT), tourist has the opportunity to stay over in the
resident’s place and can enjoy their local habitats, discover their rituals, respect their culture
and as a whole get the intense feelings of new experience. Particularly, it is a unique idea which
refers to tourism operations or functions that engage the local communities based on their
lifestyle, culture, local attractions, and local commodity and so on.
Special components of the local lifestyle, cuisine, culture, nature, attraction are offered to the
tourists in CBT which make the residents proud and satisfied to share with the tourists. Through
CBT, tourists have the greatest opportunity to learn about the culture, lifestyle even the
language of the host community. The positive outcomes of the cultural exchange can happen
through this.
Bangladeshi people are very friendly and hospitable to their guest. It is called the land of
hospitality. They serve the foreign tourist as their guest and treat them giving the best of their
service. CBT can be developed in this country as there is so much potentiality of this concept.
In this concept, we can focus on our minor group as well. There are attractive hill spots in our
hill tracts areas where mostly the minor groups live. Here indigenous people are very friendly
to the tourist. The basic accommodation like a hotel or motel is not available in those part. So
there are many tourist destination spots in our country where we can develop CBT.

1.2 Significance of the Study

Community involvement is essential for the development of the overall tourism sector. In our
country, there are huge possibilities for flourishing this sector through the involvement of
different stakeholders in the community.

About three-fourths of the total population live in the rural areas of Bangladesh (FAO, 2009).
The economy of Bangladesh is predominantly based on agriculture and garments industry. In
developing countries like Bangladesh, the transformation from a traditional agricultural
economy to an industrial economy is difficult for many reasons. Lack of huge capital, good
governance, and foreign assistance forced many regions to go for small scale tourism products
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development. The main motive of this study would be how community-based tourism can take
an incredible role in development of the community as well as the overall country.

1.3 Objective
Identifying the potentiality of community-based tourism in Bangladesh is the main objective
of this thesis. The main focus will be the development of local people by ensuring the highest
benefits for them.
To eliminate poverty and make our country remarkable to worldwide, tourism can play a great
role and community-based tourism can be effective in this sector. I will try to find out the way
to distribute positive benefits of community-based tourism among the stakeholder’s including
local people as well as the other stakeholders of the community.

1.3.1 Primary Objective

 The primary objective of the thesis is to identify and explore the potentials of
community-based tourism in Bangladesh.

1.3.2 Secondary Objective

 Identifying the tourist attractions sites in Bangladesh where CBT can be developed.
 Identifying key issues related to community-based tourism which determine the
challenges or barriers of CBT in Bangladesh.

1.4 Methodology
To make a good and reliable report, an appropriate method should be used. The study has been
conducted based on qualitative data and desk based-approach. There are three types of
descriptive methods. These are the observational method, the case study method and, the
survey method. Among these methods, the observational method will be applied in this report.
The report content and topic is relevant to the descriptive method. Secondary sources have been
used for collecting information to make the report.

1.4.5 Data Collection Procedure

To conduct this research, secondary data is used for the necessary data.

Secondary sources:
 Official files and Documents
 Official site of Bangladesh Tourism Board- http://tourismboard.gov.bd/
 Study-related books and journal, magazines, periodicals, newspapers
 Web sites
 Online Travel Agents
 Article
 Related thesis paper
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1.5 Limitation
To prepare a thesis on the topic like this in a short duration is not an easy task. In preparing this
report some problems and limitations may have encountered which are as follows:

 The main constraint of the study is the insufficiency of information, which are required
for the study.

 Time constraints are one of the limitations of the study to prepare the report.

 Some information may not provide to retain the confidentiality of the board.

 All of the data inherent may not be up to date.

 Time is very limited but tourism has become the largest industry in Bangladesh that is
why I may not access more information.
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CHAPTER TWO
_____________________
LITERATURE REVIEW
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Chapter 02: The Literature review

In most of the review of literature relating to community-based tourism, many researchers get
along to the point of Pearce and Moscardo (1999) that community-based tourism research is
highly essential for getting a successful tourism practice (Moscardo, 2008). In this research,
exploring the success criteria for community-based tourism especially in developing countries
is the main purpose.

According to some scholars, it’s important to understand and realize the definition of the
concept of community tourism. The Definitional problem may be created as well as a practical
problem if the definition is differently understood (Velikova, 2001). The definition of
community can be divided into four approaches, they are the ecologic, social, interactive and
critical approach (Pearce, Moscardo and Ross, 1997). (Pearce, Moscardo and Ross, 1991) On
the contrary, some scholars considered that it is not necessary to understand the clear definition
(Bell; and Newby, 1971; Hillery 1955). However. To prevent misleading, the inherent meaning
of the concept should be knowable to each of the stakeholders of the community. For example,
Strong and weak Sustainability is tough to perceive because the term sustainability relies on its
objective to obtain (Collins, 1999).

Community-based tourism is a strong approach that gives direction in the development of

tourism. The particular destination which has been selected for community tourism is also
viewed as ecosystem approach where tourists interact with the live living (host, services) and
non-living (beach, attractions sites, sunshine, nature, landscape) to enjoy the tourism product
(Murphy, 1985).

Community-based tourism is a buzz word which is overused and poorly understood

(MacIntyre, 1995). In the Community-based Ecotourism Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand,
Triraganon (2002) stated that community-based tourism definition has not yet been clearly
identified or established. But it is not an unusual idea for the development of the tourism sector.
He also pointed out that it gives an opportunity for the community people for defining it
appropriately in the way they seem it appropriate.

It is narrated by McCool et al. (2001) that there are abundant meanings of the goal of
sustainability. These different meanings have multiple implications. So the knowledge of
sustainability is a must to develop the pillar of community tourism. To understand the meaning
of the concept, there should be shared goals among the host community. The indicator of
sustainability also should be pointed to make it understandable and community concern should
be encircled in the term of sustainability. Scheyvens (1999) stated about shared goals where
the four levels of community empowerment are comprehended and they are economic, social,
psychological, and political; Economic empowerment helps to ensure long-lasting economic
achievement, psychological empowerment helps to increase the self-esteem of the local
community, social empowerment helps to balance the equilibrium of the community, and
political empowerment maintains the overall guideline for making development.
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In sustainable tourism, tourists or visitors must be satisfied to enjoy the tourist attractions site
and it also must be economically viable to the tourist to access it, and the host community of
the destination and its natural assets will also be free from negative effects (Basu, 2001).
Sustainable tourism is the concept of leading long term and healthy form of tourism that works
with the other economic elements (Farrel, 1999).

In many societies, community development is the main focus now and many sectors are being
connected for example education, environment, population, politics, public safety, health,
economy, transportation, and recreation to promote the term “community development” (Hart,
1999). In this study, I will also focus my work on the development of the community through
the direct involvement of the community people.

Nicholls (1993) stated about the major area of community tourism development and they are
social and cultural, economic and business, environment and accessibility, and management
and planning. A clear description of community development in tourism is also found from the
Encyclopedia of Tourism:

A process of social and economic progress that is based on the local initiatives is called
community development. Though tourism development can create community problems,
fostering awareness of opportunities, training local people for leadership positions,
empowering people to make right decisions, providing better community facilities and services,
making stronger local institutions, and feeling of interdependence between the community can
be contributed through the planning of potential community development in tourism (Jafari,
2000).

Community-based tourism has different objectives and goals according to its destination.
Socially sustainable is an important phenomenon of community-based tourism that means most
of the tourism activities and operations are done by the community people and all the plans and
goals are also developed by their consent and direct and indirect support. Community members
can also enjoy the share of revenue through CBT and the respect of cultural and social heritage
of that particular destination also risen up because of CBT. CBT fulfills the needs and
expectations of the local community and their quality of life become developed through it
(WTO, 1983).

It is stated that community-based tourism is a sustainable approach that develops tourism in a

way to encourage community member to precipitate willingly with mobilizing their resources,
identifying their needs and making their decision about how to meet them (Stone, 1989).
Wearing and McDonald (2002) agreed to a point that the government should plan a long way
program for the function of community-based tourism so that the local community people can
be benefited by it.

The World Bank (Duer, 2000) defined community-based tourism as a concept where
community people get involved in decision making phenomenon who keep a greater share of
income generated by tourists in the community. Community-based tourism also helps to reduce
poverty, generate job opportunity for the local people and the positive side of it is that it does
not have any effect on the cultural environment.
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Community involvement and their overall benefits are the main goal of community-based
tourism (Norris, 1995). The focus point of the goal should be “community” for the development
of the tourism sector. McIntosh described the goal of community-based tourism as:

-preserving cultural pattern in a traditional way,

-ensuring local benefit and encouragement to make the plan of tourism according to it,
-creating different job opportunities within the area,
-protecting local communities identity by keeping the authenticity of the cultural heritage.
The development of community-based tourism should be planned according to the needs of
local community people and they should also be involved in the sustainable development of
tourism (Robert, 2001).
A particular community has different uniqueness from other communities and the community
tourism planning should consider this uniqueness of the community. They are different in
culture, environment, theme, cuisine, norms and values, patterns, stage of development, growth
and so on. Simply, communities are different (Hatton, 2002), so this phenomenon needs to be
considered while planning for community-based tourism.
The concept of ‘pioneer space’ is a relevant concept in community-based tourism where the
expected development should be in a small-scale and intermediate type of technology should
be used in a limited way in rural-based tourism. These type of tourism give emphasis on cultural
and environmental attractions and visitors can get traditional experiences from it; in developing
countries, this type of tourism can be developed easily and successfully (Sofield, 1993).
In community-based tourism, power relation is a crucial and important point for the
development of the local community. Community-based tourism is a more formal way to talk
about the opinions of the local people about their development. The commencement of it may
provide a stage for the community people to express their decision and opinion, the process of
interests, and the elements of local development (Reed, 1997).
Different decisions of the different power holders of the several communities may create
barriers to the implementation of tourism planning. Leach et al. (1997) stated that one of the
fundamental approaches of community-based tourism is that communities exist and they are
homogeneous in character. In general, gender, age, origin, castle, and other elements of social
identity make community divided with their so-called rules. Conflicts may occur for this rather
than shared interests. As a critical shape of social relations, less attention is being paid to power.
Leach’s comment fortifies the prospect of the negligence of critical approaches to the definition
of community in the tourism literature.
Old problems need to be thought in a new way because, in the present economy, old solutions
do not work properly to establish community-based tourism successfully (MacIntyre, 1995).
But it is difficult to identify old and new solutions from this statement. The better way is that
we have to think in a different way by reviewing solutions by research. And from these research
results, we can find out a better solution based on the adaptation.
The new flow of community-based tourism literature now pays attention to partnership and
collaborative approach rather than reproaching the outside stakeholders who bring negative
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impact on the traditional pattern of tourism (Reed, 1997). Literature in community-based

tourism seems to direct as:
-give priority to local residents and the dimension of community development,
-focus more on the aspect of stakeholder study,
-plan about forecasting future decision as an important issue,
-focus on the study in developing countries rather than developed countries; Especially in Asia,
there are few studies has been generated.
-cover more public and the private sector in the study and as an important stakeholder, visitors
should be also given priority.
Wearing and McDonald (2002) suggested on an issue that rural and isolated areas which have
not been included under the CBT planning, there should be specific planning for these areas
and has to be an enhancement for social organization in communities. There is a core issue for
comprehensive tourism planning which includes social, economic and cultural considerations.
National, international and global trends along with the local knowledge are also included in
this (MacIntyre, 1995).

Though there are several studies had done on community-based tourism, a few studies have
done on the potentiality of community-based tourism in Bangladesh. So I will focus on finding
out the strategies to develop community tourism and identifying the possible ways to get local
people involved in this sector.
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CHAPTER THREE
_____________________________________
__
AN OVERVIEW OF COMMUNITY
BASED TOURISM IN BANGLADESH
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Chapter 03: An Overview of Community-Based Tourism in Bangladesh

3.1 Community-based tourism

Community-based tourism is tourism activities or functions that connect the local communities
to perform tourism operation by offering overnight accommodation to the tourist in their
locality. The host community also offer their culture, local cuisine, and lifestyle to the tourist
so that the tourist can get connected to the local cultures.
The community people work together to develop Community-based tourism and they also form
a CBT club or group or sometimes get connected with a tour operator to perform their tourism
functions.

Bangladesh is a country of a huge population but its population can be its main strength if they
can be utilized in a proper way. There is an excessive possibility for the sector of tourism in
this country. Its natural and cultural resources make it more gorgeous to the international tourist
and community-based tourism can be developed in this country on the basis of these precious
assets.

3.2 The core strategies for community tourism development in Bangladesh

For the development of community-based tourism in Bangladesh, some strategic planning can
be applied in the tourism sector.

3.2.1 Partnership Encouragement

For the development and improvement of CBT, partnership encouragement is essential. These
partnership needs to be build up among the community stakeholders including government,
citizen groups, and business entrepreneurs. When every stakeholder works together for the
development of community tourism, CBT will achieve significant results from it.

3.2.2 Proper Plan and Steps

For the successful CBT management, proper planning and steps is a must. Murphy and Murphy
(2004) stated that goals, objectives, and strategies are the necessary components that need to
support the mission of community tourism. Many tourism scholars recommended some
potential steps in community-based tourism development. They are given below:

Getting Organized

A local team committee should be constructed for the assessment procedures and their activities
should be action-oriented.

Identify Community Value

Expectations of the community should be identified and pointed like what do they expect from
the tourist, how and what they will contribute to community tourism, what they don’t want to
sacrifice for CBT and so on. These questions should be made as a survey form and take
feedback from the community people to know their opinion.
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Visioning Process

Vision and goals should be set in a community meeting and ensure community involvement to
achieve the vision.

Inventory of Attractions

Identify the attractions that the community wants to offer to the tourists and classified the
tourists according to their choice of attractions.

Establish Objective

Develop objectives for each of the attractions and find out the cost-benefit analysis.

Impact Analysis

Social, economic, and environmental cost should be analyzed and minimize the unnecessary
cost.

Business Plan

Yearly objectives, major priorities, target goals, and sources of funding should be identified.

Marketing Plan

The proper marketing plan has to be developed for each of the service attractions.

3.2.3 Community Involvement

Community involvement and their active support are truly necessary for the development of
community-based tourism. Local stakeholders are always deprived of taking any decisions
about tourism development. It should be ensured that local people can take part in community
tourism and their suggestions and recommendations are accepted to the assigned authorities.

The Tourism Policy Forum suggested some strategies to develop community-based tourism
and they are:

 In the case of local and regional development planning process, the authorities of that
particular destination should be engaged in stimulating the development process.
 In rural tourism planning, there should be incorporated joint ownership and shared
vision.
 PRA techniques should be introduced to the local community for the initial planning
process.
 Sustainable development committees should be developed and the committee people
should give equal priority in the decision making process.

(WTO, 2004a, p. 17)

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3.2.4 Environmental Management

Environmental management is the most crucial issues in the development of community-based
tourism. Many researchers mentioned the importance of environmental protection in many
strategies for developing issues. It was recommended by Marsh (1987) that park ecology and
tourist behavior should be given emphasis on for the organization of monitoring impact,
carrying capacities, and instructing tourism agencies. Protection of land using zone, visitor
restriction, control the number of transportation in the tourist zone, and educating the local
people on environmental knowledge are vital in this term and should be monitored properly.

3.3 The importance and benefits of community-based tourism

In our country, there are many natural and cultural sites and these natural and cultural sites can
be a big advantage to develop community-based tourism here. The activities of community-
based tourism can be a great strategy as a part of sustainable tourism development. It can be
said that sustainable tourism can be assured by the development of community-based tourism
as CBT helps to protect the natural and cultural sites of the locality with the direct and indirect
involvement of the community. Besides, CBT helps to develop the lifestyle of the community,
increase the scopes of earning source, conserve the environment and nature, spread the name
and fame of the country and overall develop the community.

3.3.1 Sustainable Development

Sustainable development can be achieved by the preservation of natural and cultural sites in
the tourist area by the community-based tourism. And sustainability helps to make tourism last
longer than any other strategies.

3.3.2 Earning Source of the Community People

Different kinds of earning sources can be explored by the development of community-based
tourism like a tour operator, souvenir shop, local transportation, handy crafts and so on. It also
enhances the confidence and capacity of the local residents through the deal with the tourists.

3.3.3 Improve the Lifestyle of Community

When the locality is generated under community-based tourism, the lifestyle of the local
residents also improved. Road, culvert, bridge etc. many types of construction take place on
that particular locality to represent the best of the destination to the tourist. The environment is
also kept neat and clean, so the residents can enjoy a healthy environment.

3.3.4 Preservation of Historical Sites

CBT makes the community people aware to preserve the historical sites of the destination as
these historical sites are our cultural assets.

3.3.5 Conservation of Environment

Nature is deeply connected to the livelihood of people of our country and many tourists get
amazed to see the beautiful nature of her. Conservation of this beautiful environment becomes
an intense concern when CBT is successfully generated in the destination area.
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3.3.6 Upholds the Fame of the Country

A proverb says, “Unity is the strength.” With this proverb, it can be said that when the whole
community works together to develop the tourism sector, it upholds the fame of our country
worldwide to international tourists. And community-based tourism is an ideal way to involve
the community people all together to get united in this sector.

3.3.7 Overall Community Development

Overall development of a community can be possible through community-based tourism as
community can be directly involved in this term and they become conscious about their own
development by CBT.

Figure 01: Community Development. Source: (Hasan, 2014).

3.4 The scopes for involving the local community in tourism

There are so many scopes for involving the local community in tourism. Some of the scopes
are the following:

3.4.1 Home-stay program

Home-stay tourism is a part of community-based tourism where tourist gets the facility to stay
over the host community’s home with a certain amount of payment. By these facilities, a tourist
has the opportunity to get closed to the community people and also with their culture. The host
community people also get the unique facility to involve in community tourism by this home-
stay program.

3.4.2 Community tour guide

Working as a community tour guide is another lucrative scope for involving the local
community in tourism. It is also a great opportunity for earning money by taking tourist for a
 P a g e | 14

walk and visit them the local attractive sites. Also, the tour guide has the advantage to get
connected with the tourist as well as with CBT.

3.4.3 Handmade local craft

In Bangladesh, tourist can discover the beauty of craft and artwork which is the rich heritage
of our country. Community people can sell their handmade crafts to the tourist and the tourist
buys them as souvenir. This will help to involve the community people as well as show the
aristocracy of our artwork to the foreign country.

3.4.4 Cultural Performers

In our country, there are lots of festivals and celebrations and cultural performers like dancers,
singers, and a magician can perform their activities in front of the tourists.

3.4.5 Community leaders

Community leader is the representative of a community who is perceived to represent the
common interest of the community. In CBT, local influential people usually hold this position
to make the disciplinary situation in the community. This is a huge scope for them to involve
in tourism as a community representative.

3.4.6 Local restaurant

Local food is a great source of tourist attraction component to attract tourist. Some researchers
identify that local food means to stimulate the development of the rural area (Saxena et al.,
2007). It has no doubt that good food can change the mood of the total environment and
surroundings. Tourist also prefers to explore the taste of local cuisine and the local restaurant
can play a great role in this term.

3.4.7 Agro tourism

CBT can also give scope to a farmer to get involved in community tourism by agritourism.

3.4.8 Local transport

Local transportations play a vital role to move from one attraction site to another and help
tourist to go to their destination safely. It could be a perfect scope for community to get
involved in tourism. But one thing has to keep in mind that, proper fare has to receive from the
tourist not too much as they are unknown to the locality.
 P a g e | 15

Home-stay/
community-
owned lodge/
campsite
Tourism
Services like Home-made
Trekking, food/ Local
Culture, Sight restaurants
seeing
Community-based
tourism
beneficieries
Local
Agriculture: transports:
vegetable,
poultry boats,
rickshaws etc.

Handicraft/
souvenir
shops/factory

Direct Tourism Proactive Sector

Indirect Tourism Proactive Sector

Figure 02 Scopes for involving local community.

Source: (Hasan, 2014).

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CHAPTER FOUR
_____________________________________
__
POTENTIALS OF DEVELOPING CBT IN
BANGLADESH
 P a g e | 17

Chapter 04: Potentials of Developing CBT in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has the potentiality to build up successful CBT zones based on its natural and
cultural attractions. In most of the developed and developing countries, community-based
tourism becomes a successful model of developing tourism. It also creates multi-dimension
of employment options for the unemployed as well as boost up the total economy of the
country.

Natural &
Cultural Tourism
Resources

Actions Benefits

Incentives

Figure 03: Using natural and cultural resources in CBT.

4.1 Effective CBT zones:

Community-based tourism can be successfully activated in Bangladesh and there are some
special destinations in this country where CBT can be developed and local people can involve
in it.

 The three hill districts- Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachhari

 Sundarbans
 Cox’s Bazar
 Kuakata
 Sylhet
 Paharpur
 Mainamoti
 Bagerhat
 Places knew for specific handicraft or other craftsmanship.

Source: (Hasan, 2014)

 P a g e | 18

These are the most suitable and attractive tourist spots in Bangladesh though others destination
area of Bangladesh has the potentiality to establish CBT as well. So to develop CBT in a
different destination, a particular model has to be established for that particular destination.

4.1.1 The three hill districts

There are three hilly districts in Bangladesh, they are Bandarban, Rangamati, and
Khagrachhari. These hilly districts are full of natural tourist attractions resources. So CBT
can be developed in these areas based on its natural and cultural resources. Bandarban has
Nilachol, Nilgiri Mountain, Buddha Dhatu Jadi, Sangu River, Amiakhum, and Nafakhum.
These resources are attractive to international tourists as well as domestic tourists and can
also be useful to develop CBT in this area.

Community-based tourism value chain in Bandarban

There are some efficient activities that can generate effective CBT value chain in Bandarban
district.

* Communication * Poultry, Fishery * Fuel Station * Training service * Training

Non- * Vehicle
Services & Dairy farm to guides * Financial services
tourism * Construction * Fruit & Vegetable Importer/ * Training for * Market linkage
Sectors * Furniture garden Producer hospitality, food
* Equipment & * Training Institute * Training preparation and
Supplies * Fruit processing * Licence Services house keeping
plants * Security
Individual deciders
Tour operators/

Food & Local Services Handicrafts

Accommodation Beverage Transportation /shopping

Direct * Hotel * Restaurant * Jeep * Tour Guide * Craft Villages

* Guest house * Hotel Food (ChanderGari) * Boatman * Shops
Service service * Tourist
* Boarding * Boat *Ethnic Village
Provider * Resort * Ethnic * Three wheeler Culture & Markets
Restaurant traditions
* Street vendors

Chain Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affair/Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism
Support
Hill District
Institutions ZillaParishad
 Government Foreign Local govt/ Community
Council
Administration Agencies administration

BTB BPC/NHTTI BSCIC KhudraNrigoshthirSan Tour operators/ Banks/ Financial

skritikInstitute hoteliers institutions/NGOs
Figure 04: Overall tourism Value Chain with identified actors and activities at Bandarban.
Source: (Hasan, 2014).
 P a g e | 19

4.1.2 Sundarbans
Community-based ecotourism can be established in the Sundarbans area which is the largest
mangrove forest in the world. Ecotourism is nature-based tourism activities where the overall
tourism function is established with the surrounding natural environment. The International
Ecotourism Society (2006) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Hawkins and Khan
(2001) say that ecotourism has different definitions but all definition defined it as connected to
nature and it is also the opposite nature of mass tourism.
The Sundarbans is the sanctuary of different types of animals, birds, reptiles, and so on. More
than 120 species of fish, 260 species of birds, 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 heads
of spotted deer can be found in the Sundarbans areas. Moreover, tourist will be got attached
with its nature by the green eye catchy nature of it.

It has attractive natural view, local cultural art form, biodiversity and river, and place of
religious interest which make it suitable spot to establish community-based ecotourism in this
area.
The Sundarbans is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters.
To see this pristine environment, tourists need to get a permit from the Divisional Forest Office
in Khulna. With the permit in hand, it is possible to hire a boat from Mongla or Dhangmari to
get into different points, where guides are available on hire to take one into the Sundarbans.
The potential for community-based ecotourism in the reserved forests of the Sundarbans lies
in the fact that the total area is large and that its boundaries have been fully protected by the
Department of Forest, Government of Bangladesh for many years. Encroachment and
permanent settlements are not allowed in the forest area. These factors constitute a solid base
and a good starting point for good planning, development and management of responsible
ecotourism in one of the most interesting and the world’s largest mangrove forest areas, where
the wilderness value is pronounced. Community-based ecotourism is important for the
development of the southwest region of Bangladesh as it may accelerate regional as well as
national economy through creating new job opportunities which will lead to rise in the living
standard of the local people.

4.1.3 Cox’s Bazar

Cox’s Bazar is an important tourist zone and also known as the tourist capital of Bangladesh.
It can be a successful CBT zone if it is properly nourished. Community-based ecotourism also
can be successfully established in here like the Sundarbans area.

4.1.4 Kuakata
Kuakata is an attractive tourist zone in Bangladesh, locally known as Shagor Kanna where
CBT can be successfully developed based on its natural and cultural resources. Tourists can
enjoy the sunrise and sunset from the same sandy beach and it is also a great pilgrimage place
for the Buddhist and The Hindus community.
 P a g e | 20

4.2 Planning of BTB (Bangladesh Tourism Board)

Bangladesh Tourism Board has multiple plans on community-based tourism and they are
working to implement to fulfill those planning. According to the CEO of Bangladesh Tourism
Board, Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir said that Community-based tourism is planning on
a wide scale but using limited resources. (Source: Bangla Tribune, 2016)

 Easily accessible and comfortable destination will be made for tourists.

 Local people will be the protector of their property and cultural heritage in CBT.
 Involving the local stakeholders, providing business facilities, ensuring community
development will be ensured under the process of their planning in community tourism.
 Discussing with the inbound tour operator and professional entrepreneur to find out the
likes and dislikes of the foreign tourists, a proper guideline or instruction will be
organized for sustainable community-based tourism.
 The Ministry of Environment and Forest and its relatable department will also be
connected in this field.

4.3 Impact of CBT in Bangladesh

Community-based tourism has several impacts including social, cultural, economic,
environmental, and so on in Bangladesh.

4.3.1 Social impact of CBT

Positive impact

 CBT helps to aloof society from conservativeness, superstitious and illiteracy and
modernizing with positivism in community-based tourism.
 CBT helps to increase the literacy rate and academic institutions in the community area.
 Modern ideas, values, and behavior are being conducted through the establishment of
CBT in the local community.
 For the development of CBT, different infrastructural projects are taking place in local
areas that also upgrade the lifestyle of local people.

Negative impact

 Social instability/disparity is evident in taking tourism benefits in the area.

 Crime (drug addiction, child and woman trafficking, hotel - killing have increased.
 Prostitution /sexual corruption/extramarital relation/moral erosion is on the rise.

 The number of vehicles has increased and causes traffic congestion.

 Government land (Khas land) is being occupied for tourism facilities.

4.3.2 Cultural impact of CBT

There are both positive and negative cultural impacts of community-based tourism.

Positive impacts
 P a g e | 21

 Cultural exchanged happened between the tourist and the host community which makes
them aware of each of their culture.
 Changes in conservativeness, clothing, and languages in the local community is another
positive impact of CBT in our country.
 There are different types of community in our country like Rakhain, Muslim, Buddhist,
and Hindus who observe their own rituals and trying to keep it intact which is a great
paradigm of communal harmony.
 Different cultural programs are held in different festivals which remain our cultural
tradition revived.

Negative impacts

 Cultural exchange sometimes changes the traditional cultural pattern of the community
that helps to fade away the authenticity of the culture.
 The openness of tourist is breaking the traditional conservativeness of the local
community.
 Language can be a barrier to the way of communication between the tourist and the
host community.

4.3.3 Economic impact of CBT

 Circulation of money becomes arise in the locality so does in the overall economy of
the country.
 Investment in different tourism sectors also increases the volume of national revenue
in the economy.
 CBT helps to increase income-generating activities and financial capacity.
 Employment opportunities for the local communities have been increased because of
CBT.

4.3.4 Environmental impact of CBT

Environmental conservation is given priority in CBT as it is an important issue to attract visitors
in the host community. The environment also has positive and negative impacts on CBT.

Positive impact

 Environment preservation is given emphasis in CBT.

Negative impact

 Many hotels and motels are developed without planning which may cause
environmental problems.
 Rohynga refugee is a great problem for the tourist as well as for the environment.
 Many forest areas are cut for building many construction sides of CBT which brings a
negative impact on the environment.
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CHAPTER FIVE
_______________________
CONCLUSION
 P a g e | 23

Chapter 05: Conclusion

5.1 Challenges
In this research study, some important issues have been found out after completing the thesis
paper. They are:

 Bangladesh is a country of hospitable mind people and it has a huge potentiality to

establish community-based tourism, especially in rural areas. So these rural areas can
be focused on for the development of community-based tourism in Bangladesh.
 To make the community people encourage to join community tourism, they have to
educate about community tourism and its tremendous advantages.
 A committee should be formed from the local community people and their opinion
should be listening and give them the power to make the decision in a particular sector
where community benefits can be earned. Thus it makes community people interested
to take part in tourism activities.
 Environmental conservation is a big issue in community tourism and all the
stakeholders should work together to consider this phenomenon.
 Community tourism can be incorporated based on the cultural and natural attraction
sites and this country is also full of natural and cultural resources to establish
community-based tourism.
 Non-government organizations can be helpful to develop community tourism. They can
join with the government and its other department to develop community tourism.
 Employment opportunities like a tour operator, souvenir shop, a local restaurant, hand-
made crafts shop etc. can be explored for the local people in CBT.
 Community tourism ensures facilities and support for the community people and
increases the involvement rate of most of the community people than other kinds of
tourism.
 Sustainability can be assured through community-based tourism through environmental
conservation, tourist number restriction, local community’s awareness and above all
involvement of the community. As community involvement make people aware to
protect tourism from any harmful activities that destroy its sustainability.

5.2 Suggestion
1. Adequate promotions and awareness should be made for the development of
community-based tourism.
2. The expectations of local people should be found out through survey and their
offering service towards the tourists also should be listed properly.
3. All the stakeholders along with community people, related to the tourism sector have
to work together for the ultimate development of CBT and ensure the maximum
benefits of the local people of the destination.
 P a g e | 24

4. Sustainability of the sector should give priority for the longer development approach.
5. More educational programs should spread out among the local resident to make them
educated about CBT.
6. Non-government organizations should be included for the development of
Community-based tourism in Bangladesh.

5.3 Conclusion
Though Bangladesh has huge potentiality in the tourism sector, this sector can’t be amplified
properly because of proper execution of necessary deeds. Local community people are actually
aloof from this sector as they are not directly connected to this platform. The group of elite
people like luxurious hotel, motel, cottage and restaurant owner, is mainly involved in this
sector in this present situation. Local peoples have a fewer option in this field like the waiter,
housekeeper, bartender, and guard etc. Besides, there is a huge unemployment rate during the
season of off-peak time and that time they have to switch to another work field. So these lower
types of job make local people reluctant to join this tourism field. For the ultimate development,
the majority of the total population including the general community people should be engaged
in tourism.
Community tourism can be a great and compatible option for community people to join this
tourism field for their maximum benefits as in CBT, people can easily connect to tourism and
can have the advantage of it.

Community-based tourism is an important phenomenon in the resent situation for the ultimate
development of the community people. It is now famous in most of the developed and
developing countries in this decade and also gets generated in our country also as it has the
basic nature and potentialities to develop it successfully. Proper inspection and observation can
make it possible to flourish and reach its actual goal to achieve. So proper awareness should be
created to make people educated about community tourism and ensure community
involvement.

In this study, the potentiality of community-based tourism in Bangladesh has been focused to
know about its possibility and scopes to involve community people to attain the maximum
successes and benefits for local people. The importance of CBT and the recent scenario of CBT
in our country is also pointed out. Employment opportunity through community tourism also
can be seen in this study. Overall, it can be said that community-based tourism would be a
successful and unbeatable sector in our country if we can execute the plans properly on this
phenomenon.
 P a g e | 25

CHAPTER SIX
_______________________________
REFERENCES
 P a g e | 26

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