Download - Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Transcript
Page 1: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Abu Zafour

Faculty of Business Administration and Management

Patuakhali Science and Technology University

1

Page 2: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

2

Page 3: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Abstract This piece of repot is an assigned job as a partial fulfillment of course requirementby our honorable course teacher Muhammad Mizanoor Rahman Howladar. It’s an optimum aggregated outcome of 5 pupils about Tourism Attraction & Facilities of Kuakata Sea Beach.The view of this report was to find out the true figure and importance of Kuakata, focused on its every factor. Some articles are thoroughly studied to make it is an effective report. The collected information’s was thoroughly revised first, then the collected data were interpreted to achieve the report objective.Kuakata is one of the beautiful tourist centers in Bangladesh. It is in the south of our country. It has a width sea beach. The tourist can see the sunrise and sunset standing from here. For this reason it is said that its position is next of Sea city Coxbazar.Generally Kuakata is a small area. Its way of communication, Accommodation, Amenities, Beach sites, Market places, Costing trade, Tribe area are described in this report. It has also some wandering sites like the Rakhain Polly, Shima Buddhu Bihar, Jaubon, Fatrar Chor, Gongamoti Chor, Rash Mela, Shutki Polli, that are enjoyable for the tourist, are also given in our report.

IntroductionTourism is one of the most dynamic industries of the present world. People want to travel. This is the basic trait in human nature. Millions of people are traveling each year from one part to another part of this planet (Hasan, 1985). People are now prone to fun and enjoyment. They intend to gather experiences of new things and new places, get lasting pleasure, and know different cultures through visiting destinations. They also want to escape from the pressures of work-deadlines. People, being curious, move from one place to another, from one country to another country, from one end of the world to another, and may be in future, from one planet to other ones (Hossain, 1999). Thus tourism is one of the initiators of people’s movement, a facilitator for exchange of knowledge, a provider of pleasure, a way to enjoy leisure, and a means to enrich culture (Hossain, 2005).

The importance of any geographical unit as a tourist is determined by 3As i.e. attraction, accessibility and amenities, which may be termed as the tourist qualities of a destination [Bukart & Medlik]. Attraction may include site attractions, event attractions like Olympic Games, and also religious festivals. Accessibility means facilities for easy transportation and communications which enable a destination to be reached and telecommunication facilities which enable tourists to counteract their normal place of residence/work or elsewhere at-ease. Amenities mean accommodation, catering, entertainment, medicare, security etc. At the destination, these amenities constitute the primary tourist services.

3

Page 4: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Today tourism industry is recognized as the single largest industry in the world and, therefore, this sector has also become a major thrust area of economic and business activities in most of the countries. The impact of speedy and comparatively cheap air transport, the growing world economy, rising standard of living, increased paid holidays, monotonous and mechanized working conditions in developed countries, etc., have made it possible for the tourism industry to reach this position. All these things bring a great chance for Bangladesh to develop tourism industry in the tourism world. Despite having all the potentials, a lot of efforts are still required to offer right kind of tourism products, facilities, infrastructure, accessibility and connectivity, professional providers, reasonable price, safety of movements, and so forth. However, even within the existing infrastructure and facilities there is still a lot of scopes for Bangladesh tourism to develop (Hossain and Firozzaman, 2003). Although the government has taken several measures over the years for the development of tourism industry, many of the initial steps are rather modest in nature and even now much remains to be accomplished to give the industry a solid footing and a real sense of direction (Ahmed, 1987).

Kuakata is on of the beautiful tourist spot of our country. A rare scenic spot on the southernmost tip of Patuakhali district. Kuakata has a wide sandy beach from where one can see both the sunrise and sunset. Kuakata is located at a distance of 70 km, from the district headquarters of Patuakhali. So to find out the tourism attraction and facilities of Kuakata, it is very necessary to describe its various factors, that way it’s called the tourist center.

Objective of the StudyAs a business executive of the future, we should have to gather more experience beside our study. We should not concentrate our lessons only in classroom but to implement it in practical life that will help us in our professional life. A clear objective help in preparation of well decorate report in which others take right type of decisions. So, identifying objectives is very much important. Our purposes of preparing this term paper are:

1. To analyze the significance of tourism in KUAKATA2. To study the existing tourism facilities and opportunities in KUAKATA.3. To create a significant judgment about it’s various resources.4. To evaluate the potentials of tourism in KUAKATA5. To identify the problems to the development of tourism in KUAKATA.7. To provide necessary suggestions and policy implications for the

development of tourism in KUAKATA.8. To gather more knowledge and experience.

4

Page 5: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Literature ReviewA relatively few works have been done as yet on the development of tourism in Bangladesh. Various definitions on tourism reflect significant differences of its meanings (Talukder, 1984) Tourism is the business of the transport, care, feeding and entertainment of the tourists. Indian Merchants Chamber states, ‘Tourism is a force that enriches, restores and transforms ……… and does that both for a land and its people’. Therefore, tourism may be defined as an industry which aims at enhancing social and geographical mobility of the man by performing a variety of necessary functions for fulfilling various human motives with a view to earning profit.Ahmed (1987) evaluated the role played by the government in the development of tourism in Bangladesh. He found that despite all the efforts and measures of the government and other concerned private agencies, the industry has not yet “taken off’, got a solid footing and given a real sense of direction towards its development. Pannell Kerr Forster Associate’s report (1988) mentioned that the comfort, services, and management of tourism firms in Bangladesh are all below the level expected by the international tourists and the foreign community residing in Bangladesh. It has suggested the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) to prepare itself in playing its proper role as a national tourism organization and facilitator of tourism development. Hasan (1988) recognized inadequate activities of the tourism industry in Bangladesh and emphasized the government’s role to identify the potential tourist spots, build an infrastructure, and expand the existing services and facilities. Hasan (1992) again blamed that Bangladesh, in comparison to other South Asian countries, has failed to develop its tourism as yet and attract a sizeable number of tourists to visit the country, though it is endowed with different tourism attractions. He recommended for planning necessary strategies aiming at the potential markets and avoiding aimless policies to develop mass tourism at the initial stage of development. Patwari (1993) realized that it would be very difficult and expensive to develop tourism in Bangladesh with the present state of technology and limited resources. He then advocated for the development of natural attractions and local traditions based on tourism in Bangladesh. Kamal and Chowdhury (1993) criticized that Biman performs its activities in a manner, which does not conform to the right orientation and business philosophy. Hasan and Chowdhury (1995) suggested to erect good quality accommodations blended with good restaurants and services for the domestic travelers and establish more better quality units at some administrative and commercially important cities to serve both the domestic and the intra tourists. Hossain (1999) found that Bangladesh tourism industry and its market have failed to grow properly due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient facilities at different destinations, and inaccessibility to

5

Page 6: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

some destinations, bad image of the country and lack of security. Alam (2002) mentioned that Bangladesh may not possess the impressive monuments and architectural treasures like its neighbours, but it does have something substantially different to offer in its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. Hossain and Firozzaman (2003) mentioned that though tourism industry and its market have grown phenomenally worldwide, there is no significant growth and development of tourism in Bangladesh. But they expected that, even within the existing infrastructure and facilities, there are still a lot of scopes of tourism development in Bangladesh if necessary policy framework supports the industry. Siddiqi (2003) blamed that there is a big gap between what all the successive governments promised and what they actually did for tourism development in the country. Many of the existing literatures reviewed above clearly indicate that the tourism industry in Bangladesh has not yet stood on a solid footing. Many reasons are there for the backwardness and underdevelopment of this industry (Hossain, 2005).

The Research GapThe literatures reviewed above clearly indicate that a relatively little attention has been given by the professionals and researchers to the study of tourism development. Thus the issues of tourism development have been largely unexplored. As such, literatures on tourism development throughout the world are not enough. Bangladesh tourism industry, being at its infant stage, is of no exception to this. Researchers in Bangladesh do not seem to have much attention too to the studies on the development of tourism industry. Therefore, no comprehensive and worthy paper, research monograph, or research report on this issue of tourism development in Bangladesh have neither yet come out nor been available to the researchers. The very few literatures available in Bangladesh offer little help in developing a framework and drawing hypothesis for further studies by the researchers.

Rationale of the Study

As there is no mentionable study on the growth and development of tourism in Bangladesh and as the sector of the country has bright prospect, a study on Kuakata seems to be a right attempt in the present context. This will help identify the loopholes of tourism activities in Bangladesh, divert the industry in the right direction and ensure a substantial growth of this sector in the future. Scope of the Study:The research report focuses on KUAKATA. So, the research may not be more comparable or more valid. Moreover, the report emphasized on the secondary data such as from agenda of KUAKATA development authority. Only the year 2004, 2005,

6

Page 7: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

200 are considered for research material. The past years information was not considered.

Methodology of the StudyCollection of data is an important part of a report preparing. For This Purpose we went to KUAKATA for survey (Schedule Survey) and take all the necessary information. We interviewed many people like the tourist, managers of various hotels or motels, Boatman, General People, The Rakhains etc. Besides this we got some information’s from Kuakata development Authority. We also collect many articles published in different Newspapers and journals.

Limitation of the StudyAs a student of faculty of business administration and management 3rd year, we have lack of experience in making such type of reports in absolute format. For this reason we suffered a lot. Beside this we have faced the following hindrances in preparing this report: The report was vested to us at time of our Level-3, Semester-1 final exam is knocking at the door and we are burdened with other reports and assignments.The faculty of business administration and management is a newborn faculty of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, for this reason the university cannot provide enough facilities for making such type of reports.

Significance of TourismOn the basis of the worldPresently, tourism has emerged as the single largest industry in the world and is contributing to the socio-economic development in most of the destination countries. It brings economic, social and environmental benefits for a country as well as for the world. The need to promote the value of an industry sector should be paramount in the strategic direction of any sustainable industry. Tourism is no different. It is important that the industry focuses on social and environmental as well as economic benefits of tourism. This is not to suggest that economic considerations are mutually exclusive from those of social cohesion and the environment. In fact, sustainable economic returns can only be achieved through factoring in strategies that take all three elements into account.The emphasis on tourism in world will increase due to: The continuing economic shift from traditional to service based industries; Greater focus caused by terrorism and airline crises in 2001 that highlighted the depth of tourism influence on economies and communities; Concentration on industries with capacity to increase

7

Page 8: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

export earnings; and Tourism being one of the few established industry sectors projected to maintain significant growth over a long period.

Economic Value of Tourism

Tourism can promote and facilitate economic activity of the world that supports aspects of regional life. For example, farm stays, cellar doors and the purchase of local produce support agriculture, while the purchase of other products supports local retail and industry. Tourism spending also has a multiplier effect in the world economy as it is spent and re-spent by employers and employees.

Tourism may generate income for local government of a country in the form of rates and levies or as a result of patronage of local government owned attractions and services. This income contributes to the quality and quantity of local services and facilities provided for the benefit of both residents and visitors.

S o c i a l V a l u e o f T o u r i s m

Tourism activity offers social benefits, such as: Generating community cohesiveness through the development of social capital, Facilitating regional pride and local community involvement, and Contributing to the revival of regional towns. Tourism also contributes to the development of regional communities through building partnerships between local people, local organizations and local businesses. By being innovative and embracing tourism, Beech worth has transformed from a contracting community based on institutional employment, to a major tourism center with a growing population and employment opportunity and diversity. Beech worth’s focus on heritage tourism has enabled the preservation and conservation of unique heritage streetscape. It now has a national reputation for heritage tourism, special events, arts and crafts, farm tourism and the bed and breakfast industry.

Environmental Sustainability

The tourism industry as a large, diverse and growing sector is an integral part of the world’s economy and has an important role in achieving environmental sustainability. It is argued that meeting this sustainability challenge is essential for the future viability of tourism. This is because more than any other industry, tourism possesses a natural synergy with the concept. Environmental benefits of tourism include: The opportunity to communicate the value of natural and built heritage of the world and of cultural inheritance to residents; Enhancement of the natural and built environment to meet rising quality standards necessary to sustain

8

Page 9: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

modern tourism; Providing the incentive for environmental enhancement or rehabilitation of areas such as town/city centers and old industrial sites, including the creation of employment in these areas; Cost savings to individual tourism businesses through the adoption of waste and energy minimization practices; Protecting and creating economic value for resources which otherwise have no perceived value to residents, or represent a cost rather than a benefit; and Raising awareness of environmental issues and stimulating tourists to advocate for conservation through education and interpretation. Environmental appreciation can in turn enhance visitor enjoyment.

On the basis of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a developing country and developing countries are relatively important in the international industry as a whole on the basis of the number of international visitors they receive, although only a few are major destinations, Bangladesh is one of them. It is in some developing countries that tourism is growing fastest, and/or making the largest contribution to the national economy. The importance of tourism to these economies shows that its effects go well beyond those countries that are important international destinations or are well known for their dependency.Despite its poor-country status, increasing numbers of tourists have visited Bangladesh, a new but minor source of foreign exchange earning. Tourism in the early 1980s amounted to some 49,000 visitors per year, but by 1986 more than 129,000 tourists--mostly from India, the United States, Britain, and Japan--visited Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Parjaton Corporation (Bangladesh Tourism Corporation), some Tk 44.6 million in foreign exchange was earned in 1986 from the tourism industry. Now days the tourist amount and earning amount become more higher.

Table No.01: Tourist Data of Bangladesh

Country Total GNI / Arrivals Growth Tourist % Of

9

Page 10: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Population Below the Poverty line (Million)

CapitalUS$Yr 2001

of Tourist in 2000

1990- 2000

Contribution to GDP (Tourist Economy) 1999

Exports in 1999

Bangladesh 38.8 360 200000 73.3 3.4 2.1

Findings of the study

Kuakata is one of the two beaches (other one is in Japan) from where we can see the blood red Sunrise and Sun set. This beach is 18 km long and 3 km wide. People came here to see the sandy beach slopes into the Bay of Bengal, also the huge expanse of water, the ever green forest in surrounding areas, rows of coconut trees, boats of different kinds and their colorful sails, and surfing waves. Kuakata is also a sanitary for migratory winter birds. Many people visiting Kuakata find interest in Buddhist temples located at nearby places such as Keranipara, Mistiripara, and Kolapara. While many others find the place interesting because of the unique customers and traditions of the Rakhain community.

Kuakata a small city connect with the Bay of Bengal, situated at the south of Kolapara Upozela, which is in the Patuakhali district. Kuakata is 72 km away from Patuakhali district. Mog community lives in its north, sea is in the south, preserve forest of Gongamoti is in east and at the west the jungle of kuakata is situated.If we try to find out the history of kuakata we will find that, a long time ago (around 1784) Barmiest King "Bodofoa" illegally took position at "Arakan", on the home land of Rakhains and started to kill them. So many of them started to leave their homeland to save their lives. A part of them came in "Rangabali" Ireland in Galachipa by boat. A big part of them started to live in Kuakata and Kolapara. They started to live beside sea and felt shortage of drinking water. So dug two "Kuas" in of getting fresh drinking water. From this digging of "Kua" the name of the place became "Kuakata".

Wandering Sites

Beach sites

10

Page 11: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Kuakata sea beach is a nature of beauty. It is about 18 km long & 3.5 km wide. The tourist, who came here, can see the Sunrise & Sunset from the same place. It's a great opportunity & in the world this type of opportunity is only in Japan. The sea beach is surrounded by green trees & beside the beach, there are many wooden trees garden & forest, like The Foyej Miyar Coconut Garden, Lembur Chor, Jhauban, Gangamotir Chor etc. These gardens & forests are the most attracting part for the tourist. There are no quicksands in the beach. So the tourists can frequently run, take bath, swim, & pick up cockle from the beach. But there is no signal light to alert, no enough sitting place on the beach, no life jacket, no coast guard & life saving men to ensure security for the tourist.There are two rivers; named Payra & Bishkhali are West of the beach & a river named Agunmukha is East of the beach. They all are concentrated in the Bay of Bengal. This entire river made a channel about half kilometer outside from the beach. This half-kilometer is about 3-4 feet deep & the channel is about 14-15 feet deep. This channel is about half kilometer & after the channel the height of the water is again 3-4 feet, it is about 2-3 kilometer. Now days, the beach is consequently breaking down by the flow of water through the channel. So, if the government could not take necessary steps to save this beach recently then our country may lose a valuable tourist spot.

Rakhain Polly

It is not sure at which time people started to live in Kuakata. But every body believes that Rakhain community were the oldest inhabitants here. Once upon a time Rakhains were the majority here but now they became the minority. But they have maintained their history, culture, with in this Rakhain Polly. If you go there you can watch their life style & daily work very closely.

Generally Rakhain's life style & cultural activities are different than our. They are "Buddhist" in religion & "Buddha Purnima" is their main religion festival around the year. Their every home has an own embodiment. Most of women are engaged in making handicraft. They made Lunge, Scarf, and Shawl etc. They have an own market in Kuakata, named "Rakhain Mohila Market". They bring materials from Burma & Cox-bazar. Men are engaged in agriculture. Most of them are not educated. Often people of other culture interrupt their life style & religion. So most of them are contracted in mind because they think that they are small in number in our country.

Sima Buddha Temple

11

Page 12: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

It is situated near the sea beach. The temple is made of wood & tin. It cannot be accurately said at which time it was built. But it can be surely said that it is very o;ld. In the temple there is statue of Buddha made by eight metal situated on a three foot high stand. It is second embodiment in south Asia.

Coconut Grove & Jhaubon

The coconut grove was built on 200 acre areas around sea beach in 1960's decade. But for the continuous & unprotect able breaking of beach a part of the grove has already lost. At the east side of the grove there is a beautiful Jhaubon (on 15 hector) made by the forest department. At the sunlight of evening & at the moonlight the coconut grove & jhaubon look very beautiful. At the daytime, the continuous whizzing sound of Jhaubon hears very nice to visitors.

Fatrar Chor

At the west side of the beach there is a small Island named Fatrar Chor (99705.07), a mangrove forest. People started to call it the "Second Sundorbon". Keuya, Gauya, Goran golpata etc type of mangrove trees are seen there. There are also many birds & animals like monkeys, pigs etc.

Gongamotir Chor

Another attractive place for the tourists is Gongamotir Chor, which is 10 km east of Kuakata's main land. Though it is less known to visitors for poor communication, the most attractive place here is the "Gongamotir Lake". There are many trees like Keuya, Gauya, Saila etc many animals like wild pig, monkeys etc.

Lembur Chor

Five kilometer east of Kuakata beach there is an attractive place named Lembur Chor. There is a forest of Keuya, Korai, Gauya, Saila etc of 1000 acor.

Rasmela

The word "Rus" mainly came from the word "Ros". This festival was started depending on collecting "ros" in winter; later the festival name became "Rasmela". It is one of the main religious programs of "Monipuri". At the time of "Rasmela" festival many visitors came here to enjoy it.

Shutki Polly

12

Page 13: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Shutki Polly is 4 km west of Kuakata. Fishermen catch many kinds of sea fish from sea during the year but mainly the fishes which are caught in winter season, are be sunned in process. This "Shutki Fish" is supplied in many places of our country, mainly in Dhaka. The people who like to eat "Shutki" but have not seen the process of drying fish, this can be a place for them to get experience.

Accommodation & AmenitiesEvery year in Kuakata many tourist come from various countries, mainly from Denmark, China and America. They stay there in hotels or motels; there are about 32 hotels and 10 restaurants in Kuakata with Tourist Holiday Home, R & H Rest House and LGED Rest House. But among all of them about 10 hotels or Motels and 3 restaurants are standard. Some hotels or motels offer meals to there guest by taking charge but maximum does not do it.

In "Tourist Holiday Homes" every cook are trained by the UNICEFF for 6 months, but other Hotels and Restaurants cook are not so qualified. For this reason the meal condition of maximum hotels and restaurants are also below of standard and non-hygienic. But the meal cost of this area is quite reasonable. The good restaurants, like The Shefard, The Khabar Hotel -3 and The Tourist Holiday Homes etc. mainly offer-

Table 02: Food Menu

Breakfast Porata, Bread, Egg, Tea, Coffee etc.

Lunch & Dinner Rice, Chicken, Fish, Vegetable, Pea-Soup etc.

Lunch & Dinner (Special) Pilau, Chicken roast, Mutton, Soft Drinks etc.

Ordered Item (Optional) Fish Item: Rupchanda, Sea- koral, Hilsha, Prawn etc.Others: Beef, Hotchpotch, Chaisnis Meal etc.

Source: Interview with the accountant, Tourist Holiday Homes, Kuakata, Patuakhali.

The Hotel Business Union of Kuakata generallydivided the year in two seasons: Peak & Off-peak.Peak season is from October to April & Off-Peak is from May to September. In peak seasons the rent costs of the Hotels are full and in off-peak season some Hotels offer 25% discount, some offer 50% discount. The room rent of these Hotels is about TK.300-TK.1500 per night, generally it depends on room size

13

Page 14: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

& condition & varies from hotel to hotel.The main problems of these hotels are room crisis in Peak season. They can't offer the visitors sufficient room because maximum hotels have highest 10-12 rooms and others below of this. There is also lack of Fast Food Shop & Chainis Restaurant.Except room rent and meal facilities the Hotels & Restaurants of this area does not offer anything like The Night Club, Bar, Coffee Shop etc. There is nothing for enjoyment at night. So, at night it becomes a boring place for the tourists.

Communication

There are several ways to come in kuakata from capital Dhaka or other places of our country. To go to Kuakata, first people have to come in Barisal. They can come Barisal by road, plane (from Dhaka), or Ship. From Barisal they have to go to Kuakata by road. People can reach Patuakhali by small ship from Dhaka and then go to Kuakata by ship also. From Barisal to Kuakata tourists suffer a very disgusting journey. There are five ferries on the way to Kuakata from Barisal, which is very boring and time consuming for the tourists. The roads from Kolapara (Amtoli) to Kuakata is very poor, no vehicles can go smoothly on this route. Very often accidents occur on this route.

Transport Fare

There is no specific bus-stand in Kuakata, so buses stand on the roadside that reduces the beauty of Kuakata. The distance and transport fare from Dhaka to Kuakata and Barisal to Kuakata is given below-

Table No.03: Transport Details

From To Distance Bus Rate

Barisal Kuakata 112km BRTCLocal Service

90tk90tk

14

Page 15: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Dhaka Kuakata (112+277) km BRTCSakura, Saudia

240tk350tk

Patuakhali Kuakata 70km Local Service 70tk

Source: Interview with the manager, Bangladesh roads and Transport Corporation, Kuakata, Patuakhali.In peak season the number of buses increase as its demand increase.

Market PlaceSize of the marketKuakata is a small area & the population is also fewer than any other big areas. There are no super market or shopping mall. Mainly some same types of shops together created a little market. There are mainly two markets. One is situated just before the beach & another is situated beside the Rakhain Polly & it is called "Rakhain Women's market". About 35 shops are situated before the beach market on the two side of the road & about 20 shops are in Rakhain Women's Market. The size of every shop is small. As the market place is very near to the beach, so it is very much popular to the customers.

Types of available product in marketMost of the shops of the markets & most of the products of the shops are same. So we can divide the products mainly in 3 parts. a. Clothes b. Shoes c. Showpiece.The main product of the shops is cloth. There are many types of cloths like shirt, t-shirt, bed cover, shawl etc. Winter clothes are very much popular to the visitors. There also found many types of shoes, which have demand to visitors. Many types of costly showpieces are also found there. This showpiece is made from wood, glass & seashell. It looks very beautiful & among visitors it has great demand.

Origin of the productMost of the products are produced in Myanmar. At first this products are came in Cox-bazar from Myanmar. Then it is sent to Kuakata. So normally price of the products are more than Cox-bazar. But in the winter season the local Rakhains produce some clothes. They use it & also sell it in the market. Various types of Barmiz shoes are also very much popular. Show pieces also come from Cox-bazar & some are local products.

15

Page 16: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Price of the goods and financial position of the businessThe price of the goods is not so high. But as the products bring from Cox-bazar, so the price of the goods is higher than Cox-bazar. Mainly all prices of the goods are in the customer budget.The financial position of the business is very good. Kuakata is a great tourist center in Bangladesh. A lot of visitors visit here every day. The business is mainly depending & based on the visitors. In the pick season most of the shop earns average 5000-7000tk every day. But in the off- season the income becomes half of this amount.

Coasting Trade

Kuakata is very much important for coasting trade. There is also a great chance for the development of the coasting trade. Mainly the coasting trade is divided into 3 parts.

Fish business

The main business of the people is fish business. Most of the people are involved to it almost the year. Fishermen go to the sea with their boats & catch fish. They catch many types of fish. But in the rainy season the Hilsha fish is very much demandable. Fishermen sell fishes to the whole sellers & they deliver it to the other exporters. Exporters export it in various countries. Beside Hilsha, Young porn fish, Rupchanda is also very demandable. This young prawn is supplied all over Bangladesh. Other sea fish like Loitta, Coral etc have also demand in the market. dry fish business is also an earning source of Kuakata. There is a special market for dry fish in Kuakata. Dry fish is supplied all over the Bangladesh from here. Mainly from fish business people earns lots of money & country earns foreign currencies.

Timber businessBeside fish business, timber business is very much important here. Kuakata sea beach side is very much long & there are many trees on the beach sides. Mainly the coconut & woodiest trees are on the beach. There are also big jhaubon. There are some small forests on the beach areas. And these forests are fulfilling in woodiest trees. "Fatrar Bon" is a big forest in Kuakata & mainly woodiest trees are available here. These trees are the life of the wood business. This wood is very much costly &

16

Page 17: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

economically wood business takes a position in Kuakata. These woods are supplied all over the country. But the mount of the trees is reduced day by day. And it is very harmful for the environment.

Other businessIn Kuakata there are also some people who are farmers. In season they produce jackfruit. The natural environment is suitable for it's cultivation. So the production of it is very much high there. In village area some other agriculture products are also produced. These productions also help the economic growth.

Tourist Guide

There are many community, organizations, and web sites who offer travels guides to KUAKATA. Some time these types of organizations give packages for travelers.

Problems of Tourism in KuakataKuakata is endowed with great tourism potentiality with its natural beauty, tribal culture, special events, religions rituals, historical places, forests and coasting trade etc. but unfortunately we could not yet develop the infrastructural facilities which are pre-conditionally needed to turn a place of interest into a tourist destination. Without developing these facilities, we may not successfully market our tourist products to target market segments. The other problems, which have been identified, are as follows:

1) Political instability and unrest probably are the major reasons, which prevent foreign visitors from visiting Bangladesh. Vacationing international tourists’ arrivals are much less in number in Bangladesh than other South Asian Countries.

2) In case of Bangladesh, we claim to have tourist attractions (which include (a) site attractions, historical, scenic, climatic, (b) event attractions: religious festivals, trade fairs) but in terms of accessibility (i.e., facilities for easy transport and communications and also amenities i.e. accommodation local transport, security, catering, medicare) we lag much behind than many other South and South-east Asian countries.

3) The tourist attractions, which Bangladesh possesses, are not also superior to the tourists’ attractions of other Asian countries. In fact, we do not have much widely known historical places and remains, monuments, personalities and other attributes which India has, no mountain for trekking and skiing which Nepal has, no temples and monuments which India and Thailand have, no special culture and cultural festivals which India, Thailand and Indonesia have.

17

Page 18: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

4) Most of the tourists have a negative image of Bangladesh. They portray Bangladesh as a famine and flood-stricken country with dirty and poor inhabitants, overcrowded and lawless city streets, in sanitary and unhygienic conditions etc.

5) The way of communication of kuakata is very poor (Mainly Amtoli to kuakata). There is no fixed Bus stand in Kuakata & there are also problems for the transport fare for the local buses. The conditions of the bus are also not good.

6) One of the classic errors in tourism development programs lies in insufficient planning or provision for infrastructure components.

7) Most tourists in Kuakata are busy in visiting places, walking in the sea beach and monuments or relaxing with nature. But they have nothing to do after sunset.

8) A tourist needs personal security and safety. We cannot develop our tourism sector unless we can guarantee security and safety requirements to the visitors.

9) The Hotels has seat problems. They can’t offer the visitors sufficient seats in the peak season. There is also lack of sufficient standard restaurant

10) There is no life saving man and signal light station in the beach, to aware the tourist.

11) Now days, the beach is consequently breaking down. Its many natural recourses are also hampered in many ways.

12) There is no good standard hospital and super market in kuakata13) Kuakata is very much important for costing trade. There is also a great

chance for the development of the costing trade. But lack of proper facilities its decreasing day by day.

14) There is no facility for the foreign tourist.

These problems have a negative impact on tourism in Kuakata as well as in Bangladesh. To overcome those problems and make profitable tourism industry in our country, we should take few effective policies.

Recommendations If we want to attract more tourists, new directions, new strategies and an integrated tourism marketing effort are required. The products offered by Bangladesh tourism industry must be unique and they must be competitive in the target market.Following are some of the recommendations for consideration by appropriate authorities that are essential for the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh.

18

Page 19: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

1) Tourism authority should develop its plan to attract tourists. For this purpose attractive historical and natural spots should be developed with all sorts of excellent infrastructure facilities in order to offer the quality tourists major lavish services of international standard.

2) As the tourist inflow to Bangladesh is still quite insignificant in comparison to other South Asian countries, the prime responsibility of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (National Tourism Organization) should be to promote the identity, image and tourist inventories of Bangladesh in international market.

3) Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) should be responsible for policy formulation, implementation, resource collection and co-ordination. The function and responsibilities of the BPC should be reviewed and reformulated.

4) As a part of the strategy and policy BPC has published and distributed a number of colorful posters about Kuakata. We feel that along with the descriptions of tourist attractions information on transport and accommodation facilities, shopping, entertainment and other supporting facilities should be incorporated in the folders and booklets to provide tourists enough information before deciding to take a trip to Kuakata.

5) Till to day, tourism in Bangladesh is Dhaka-city-oriented. But BPC should give higher priority to Kuakata in any planning for tourism development in Bangladesh.

6) The national tourism organization of different SAARC countries may develop joint programs and promotional campaigns and also formulate a few package tour programs of different duration and itineraries covering two or more member countries. This may benefit the less visited member countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Maldives.

7) Bangladesh should develop a master plan for creation of a limited number of most attractive tourist spots like historical and natural spots with modern transport and communications systems. Comfortable accommodations, exotic recreational facilities and other facilities and amenities as demanded by the foreign travelers.

8) In Kuakata we do not have anything significant to offer to the tourists at night. Therefore, some specific programs must be chalked out to keep Kuakata visitors busy at night. In the mean time we probably can open up some bars and dancing floors in Kuakata exclusively for the foreign tourists. Only foreigners would be allowed to enjoy drinks and dances to which they are habituated.

19

Page 20: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

9) A tourist needs personal security and safety. It is suggested that separate police should be deployed mainly in the tourist spots and other places of attraction.

10) Well-trained guides fluent in English and other foreign languages must be provided. The folders, brochures and posters must be printed in different languages.

11) Government should immediately take some necessary steps to construct the road of Amtoli to Khepu para and establishment of international standard hotel and motel facilities.

12) Developing the well linkage of transportation among the various tourist spots.

ConclusionEvery tourist center of a country has some specialty & Kuakata is not exceptional from this characteristics. It is one of the rarest places, which has the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment. That perhaps makes kuakata one of the world's unique beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as pleasant as is walking or diving. Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor's heart. The unique customs and costumes of the 'Rakhyne' tribal families and Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'. On these two days they take holy bath and traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.

ReferenceAccountant, Tourist Holiday Home, Kuakata, Patuakhali. Interviewed on June 18, 2007Jaman, Kamruz, Chairman, Shopkeeper Association, Kuakata, Patuakhali. Interviewed on June 18, 2007.Manager, Motel Sea View, Kuakata, Patuakhali. Interviewed on June 18, 2007.

20

Page 21: Tourism Attraction and Facilities at Kuakata Sea Beach: An Exploratory Study

Manager, Hotel Golden Place, Kuakata, Patuakhali. Interviewed on June 18, 2007.Manager, Restaurent Shefard, Kuakata, Patuakhali. Interviewed on June 18, 2007.Kuakata Development Authority. Minutes of the monthly meeting of the Kuakata development authority members, Holiday Home, Kuakata, Patuakhali, June 06, 2005. (In the office files)Alam, Masud. The General Information of Patuakhali District Survey Report, Patuakhali, December 01, 2004.Hossain, Md. Afjal, 1999, Marketing of Tourism Industry in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study of Performance and Strategies, Ph. D. Thesis, University of Pune, P.2, 3 and 183.Hasan, M.M. Rabiul, 2001, “Tourism: The Unexplored Gold Mine of Bangladesh”, Holiday, September 21, P. 12.Haque, Ahmed Shahidul, 1999, “Tourism in Bangladesh Perspective”, The New Nation, October 2, P. 5.Hossain. Md. Afjal and M. Firozzaman. 2003, Strategic Promotional Approaches to Developing Tourism in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study of some Selected Tour Operators, Bureau of Business Research, University of Dhaka. P - 3. Rahman, M. M. (2004), “Prospects of Tourism Industry in Bangladesh”, The Financial Express, September 27, P.9.Shamim, Ehsan, 2000, “Pro-Poor Tourism”, The Daily Star, December 5, P. 5.Bangladesh Monitor (Fortnightly), Vol. V, Issue No. 20, June 1-15, P.1. ….1997, “Potential of Tourism in Bangladesh Remains Unrecognized - Unused”.

21