The idea of 'adventure tourism' is gaining popularity among the youth in Bangladesh

Nagib Bahar BBC Bangla, Dhaka September 27, 2018

  Taking a break while hiking in the mountains, jungle or sea or enjoying the company of nature lazily is not very popular among most of the youth nowadays.   Finding new paths or waterfalls in the mountains, exploring their sources, crossing inaccessible paths to a destination, setting up tents in hostile environments, all kinds of adventures or a little risky work - including the joy or thrill of going on an expedition Today's young tourists are more interested in doing those things.  

fig: Collected

According to the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, about 40 percent of the citizens of Bangladesh who travel to different parts of the country are young.   And most of these young people are interested in 'adventure tourism'.   Adventure Tourism in Bangladesh: How Potential? The concept of adventure tourism has recently gained popularity in the tourism industry of Bangladesh.   Although trekking or hiking in the mountains is popular among tourists, the idea of ​​going up and down the mountain by the waterfall, boating in the lake water or crossing the rope from one tree to another in the forest is very new in Bangladesh.   According to the World Travel and Tourism Council's 2017 estimates, 36 percent of the world's tourists are interested in adventure tourism.   ZiaulHaqueHawlader, a manager of the tourism corporation, said that the Bangladesh government is also taking various steps to motivate tourists in adventure tourism.   Mr. Hawladar said, "There are many waterfalls and mountain trails in Bangladesh which have been discovered by young tourists on their own initiative. Due to various obstacles, the government cannot manage these works, but the tourism corporation is trying its best to support these initiatives."   Read more on BBC Bangla: 5 places in Bangladesh that are attractive to tourists   See your favorite places in Bangladesh in the picture Arrangements for camping in the mountains   Mr. Hawladar said activities like kayaking (rowing 'kayak' in rivers or lakes), ziplining (rowing on high hills or trees), rappelling-zooming (going up / down the mountain by rope) are being conducted on private initiative in different areas.   "While the tourism corporation does not provide financial assistance, it does provide administrative assistance, guide assistance and training in tourism organizations," he said. Hawladar.   Apart from this, the tourism corporation is also conducting workshops and discussions with the local administrations of various tourist centers and local residents so that the tourists do not have to be embarrassed, he said. Hawladar.   But how much is the participation of the youth of Bangladesh in various types of adventure tourism?   Mohammad Touhidul Islam, the head of an organization that organizes various tours through a Facebook group, said that so far they have received an additional response to expectations in organizing such tours.   "It's often seen that more people are interested in going on tours than we can handle."   Mr. Touhidul Islam said they plan to organize river crossing tours and rafting tours soon.   In addition, Bangladesh has recently only provided car facilities and tree-hopping (moving from one tree to another with a rope ladder), said Mr. Islam.     What is the usual presence of women in this type of event - Mr. Islam said that although the participation rate of women was not very high in the beginning, at present, most of the visitors on some tours are women.   The safety of women is usually a major concern when traveling in remote areas of Bangladesh.   From that point of view, how comfortable do women feel to be a part of such a travel plan?   KamrunNahar, who works for a private company in Dhaka, said that since these tours are organized mainly through Facebook-based groups, they have the opportunity to know about the group in advance and make a decision.He also said that more women are participating in such tours than before and women feel more comfortable to take part in these plans.   However, those concerned think that the government should pay more attention to the development of this sector to reap the long-term benefits by exploiting the popularity of this type of tourism.

Written by, Sayka Arifin Orpita

References (Information Collected)  

Click Here to Visit