by The pride of Bangladesh – Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest natural sea beach.
Although millions of domestic tourists flock here every year, the presence of foreign tourists is almost invisible. However, this beach is no less beautiful than Thailand, Maldives or Sri Lanka.
The question is – why don’t foreign tourists come to Cox’s Bazar?
Hotel-resort businessmen say that where many citizens of Europe, Japan, Korea, China and even the Middle East used to come earlier, now it is difficult to find foreign faces.Then the question remains – why don’t foreign tourists come to Cox’s Bazar?
Why is the number of international tourists decreasing
According to tourism experts, there are many reasons behind the lack of foreign tourists. One of these is the lack of international standard infrastructure, services and promotion.Although the number of hotels and resorts in Cox’s Bazar has increased, the quality of many of them cannot meet the expectations of international tourists.
Foreigners consider not only beautiful scenery, but also safety, environmental cleanliness, communication system, medical facilities and professional guide services—the quality of everything together.
A tourist-friendly environment has not yet been developed in Cox’s Bazar. Where foreign tourists want peace, cleanliness and security, we are still roaming around in a market dependent on domestic tourists.”
Lack of quality of service and management
Many foreign tourists are disappointed when they come to Cox’s Bazar and do not get the expected service. Fraud in hotel bookings, excessive commercial pressure on the beach, traffic congestion problems, insufficient cars without licenses, fraud by cameramen on the beach, insufficient information centers—these issues create their negative experiences.
“Domestic tourists are the main reliance of Cox’s Bazar sea beach. To attract foreigners, it is necessary to ensure internationally trained staff, quality tour guides, ensuring the safety of foreign tourists, clean beaches and quality food service.
Visa complexity and lack of promotion
Many foreign travelers complain that obtaining a tourist visa in Bangladesh is relatively difficult and time-consuming. On the other hand, Cox’s Bazar is not sufficiently highlighted at international tourism fairs.
Although Cox’s Bazar has an airport, tourist police, and information center, due to the lack of adequate international promotion, tourists around the world do not know that it has the longest natural beach in the world.
Safety and cleanliness problems
Foreign tourists generally give utmost importance to safety. Begging around the beach, uncontrolled motorbike traffic, safety problems, and sometimes harassment complaints discourage tourists.
In addition, the tendency to throw garbage on the beach, untidy food stalls, and lack of clean water are also having a negative impact on the image of Cox’s Bazar.
We want foreigners to come, but the environment suitable for them has not yet been created. If the cleanliness of the beach can be maintained regularly, then a lot of changes will come.”
Cox’s Bazar’s potential is still bright
Despite all the limitations, Cox’s Bazar has huge potential. The world’s longest natural beach, blue waters, Inani and Himchhari hills, Patwar’s Tek Pathar Beach, the captivating beauty on both sides of Marine Drive Road, the silence of Mermaid Beach—all these can attract foreign travelers.
All that is needed is international-standard planning and implementation. If the government and local entrepreneurs work together, Cox’s Bazar can easily become an international tourist destination in South Asia.
The future of Bangladesh’s tourism industry depends on the sustainable development of destinations like Cox’s Bazar. To bring in foreign tourists, not only beauty, but also world-class service, security and promotion—everything must be ensured together.That day, Cox’s Bazar will truly become “not the world’s longest, but the world’s best beach city.”
Author: Nazmul Hasan Babu
Student, Tourism and Hospitality Management
