It is evident that in the last two decades the hotels in Bangladesh have increased considerably in both quality and quantity. There are many reasons behind this increase. The most important reason is to prioritize Bangladesh tourism by the government and provide back-end infrastructure to make the sector flourish. Foreseeing a great opportunity, several local and international entrepreneurs stepped forward with the necessary investment to build quality hotels in Bangladesh. The sector was already ripe and ready to be fleeced for profit. So those who invested in high quality hotels in Bangladesh are simply thriving right now. And there is room for many more.
The country started with a single quality hotel, Dhaka Sheraton in the capital city after independence in 1971. There were many others in Dhaka and in the major cities of the country, but the quality of these was not at an international level. It is in the early eighties that the Bangladesh Travel and Bangladesh hotel industry began to take shape.
The beginning of the eighties can be marked with respect to the development of this country for various reasons. The most important event that boosted Bangladeshi tourism and Bangladeshi hotel industry is that a new international standard airport came into operation in the capital city. Bangladesh’s former major air port, Tejgaon International Airport, moved to a new location with international standard runways and infrastructure. Runway facilities at the former location were inadequate, preventing larger aircraft from landing. With the new airport in Bangladesh named Shah Jalal Airport, formerly known as Zia International Airport in operation, the number of foreign flights increased greatly.
Another important factor in the early 1980s was the involvement of national and international NOGs in the country’s socioeconomic development. International NGOs and development partners came forward with countless socio-economic development projects. To initiate, implement, monitor and evaluate these socio-economic projects, the number of visits from foreigners increased considerably. This caused a growing demand for quality hotels, motels and other related infrastructure throughout Bangladesh.
Again, it is in the early 1980s that this country begins its journey as a garment manufacturer and begins to supply a large amount of the garment needs of the EEC, the US and Canada. This is also a reason for the increased number of visits from foreigners. The temporary and permanent residence of foreign nationals increased considerably to support the newly developed garment industries and trade. They got to know the country and became interested in a lucrative holiday in Bangladesh, be it the longest natural sea beach in Cox’s Bazar or the largest mangrove forest in Sunderban or one of the many similar natural beauties that the country possesses. .
The above reasons forced the construction of the second 5-star hotel in the capital city. Pan Pacific Sonargaon began operations in the heart of the capital, Dhaka, in the early 1980s. Currently Dhaka is blessed with a number of 5 star hotels like Sheraton, Radisson Water Garden, Sarina, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Regency Hotel & Resort and Dhaka Westin with many supporting 4 and 3 star hotels like Lake Shore Hotel & Apartments, BRAC Center Inn, Swiss Park, Bon Vivant, Rose Wood Residence, Paradise Garden, Royal Park Residence and many others.
Dhaka, the capital city with a heritage of over 400 years, has the most hotels in Bangladesh, both in quality and quantity. Unlike most countries, this country is not highly decentralized in national activities and other important activities. The capital city is the main center for most activities in the country. The activities of power, politics, commerce and culture revolve mainly around the city. The main trading attraction is the Dhaka Stock Exchange, popularly known as DSE Bangladesh. Expatriate citizens and permanent residents in other countries are one of the most interested parties of DSE Bangladesh and depend on various Bangladeshi news agencies to keep up to date with DSE Bangladesh information. All Bangladeshi news agencies are based in Dhaka. Dhaka has most of the features that a capital city should have. Also, there are many historical places, several golf courses and numerous shopping malls to attract tourists.
Public transport in the city is insufficiently developed, which is also reflected in all other major cities. The public taxi service is scarce and deficient. Although each and every hotel, big or small, is equipped and supported with quality car rental facilities. There are intercity bus and train networks with moderately good services. All major cities are connected by Bangladesh Biman countries national airliner and some other local and international airlines.
The second largest city is the port city of Chittagong on the Bay of Bengal. It has a rich history of maritime trade dating back to Roman times. But as for hotels, the city had only one 4-star Agrabad hotel before independence in 1971. Currently there is Peninsula, Naba Inn Guest House, Harbor View, Tower Inn, etc. all 4 stars rated. There is also 3 star Saint Martin, Asian SR, Century Park and many more.
The most attractive place for visitors and tourists, Cox’s Bazar, which is home to the longest natural sea beach, is located about 100 miles south of Chittagong. This place is supported by good quality hotels, motels and guest houses. There are Seagull-5 stars, Kollol-4 stars and a number of 3 stars such as Media International, Sea Crown and numerous guest houses. Saint Martins, a beautiful island in the southernmost Bay of Bengal with beaches all around it, has plenty of good quality guesthouses.
There are quality hotels in other major cities. Rose View, a 5 star is in Sylhet, a beautiful city that shares the same geocontinental plate with the mountainous Indian state of Meghalaya. Western Inn, Royal International and Arcadia are in Khulna, a city in the south of the country, in the largest mangrove forest district. Cities like Bogra, Comilla, Jessore, Rajshahi and most others currently have at least one or two 5 or 4 star hotels.
All hotels in Bangladesh are supported by their own restaurants. Wide variety of international level cuisines are available here at a reasonable price. The capital city enjoys at least a few restaurants serving all styles of cuisine including Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Swiss, Italian, Continental, etc. There are a number of international chain food stores like McDonald, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. and numerous local chain food stores. Almost all modern shopping centers have this type of standard food stores. It should be noted that local or Indian-style cuisine is too spicy for a western habit. It is recommended that tourists and visitors choose their food very carefully.
Most hotels in Bangladesh are supported by their own swimming, training and medical facilities. Bank outlets or ATMs can be found inside, in the lobby area. Hotels in Bangladesh are surrounded by lucrative shopping malls. Tourists are mainly attracted by the pink pearls of Bangladesh. Local antiques and practical handicrafts are also of great value and are exported to EEC countries in large quantities every year. Visitors and tourists enjoy Arong, a chain of department stores for local crafts and antiques and a few other similar local brand stores.
However, tourism in Bangladesh has an unrecoverable natural difficulty. The climate of Bangladesh does not support vacations throughout the year. The country lies in a tropical monsoon zone between the Himalayas in the north and the Bay of Bengal in the south. The summer is too hot followed by a long rainy season that it is not convenient to move around and visit the place. Winter, from mid-November to mid-February, is the period for vacation seekers here. The temperature in this period is maintained around 20°C and the humidity around 60-70%. So the climate of Bangladesh dictates that any trip to Bangladesh must be carefully planned for the weather.
There are also other dangers for tourism in Bangladesh. The main cause of these dangers is the population. The population is so dense that it is difficult to keep the facilities well maintained. For example, cities are not clean enough, city roads are not adequate or in good condition, etc. Therefore, there are few things that first-time visitors and tourists should not do. Street beggars are numerous and can wreak havoc if a friendly visitor approaches. Ignoring or not noticing is the best and safest approach in this matter. It also applies to overzealous sellers trying to sell their products. Please be careful when buying anything outside the hotel area. Offer half the asking price for a product and walk away if he declines. Take a bottle of mineral water and mosquito repellant with you when touring remote areas. And very important, choose your food very carefully if you have to dine in a restaurant outside your hotel. The taste of local and Indian food can be delicious, but also difficult to digest! So don’t take long if you are not familiar or used to this style of cooking. You can always enjoy your stay at the hotel of your choice in Bangladesh and enjoy the holidays in Bangladesh if you stay healthy and in good health.