Big tourism plans in store for Bangladesh .

[bluesky]

And talking about $hitholes, for everyone's edification I present Puri, which is THE destination for Indian luxury tourists....

When Puri is a slum in Odissa, many in India stay in nearby Ranchi in Odissa where the mental asylums work to keep the Indian minds sane.

 

[bluesky]

October 12, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, October 12, 2017
Kathalbari Swamp: A little paradise in Sylhet

Tourists on boats near the island, bellow, on Kathalbari Haor in Sylhet's Kanaighat upazila. The island has become a tourist attraction and is just a 20-minute drive from Sylhet city. Photo: Sheikh Nasir

Mintu Deshwara

Straight out of a postcard, the Kathalbari swamp is an unexplored natural heritage.

Situated in the heart of Sylhet, it is a mere 20 minute drive from the town, on the way to the hilly tourist destination of Jaflong.

Although the swamp remained mostly undiscovered till late, the number of local tourists visiting the spot is on the rise.

Swamps are often dominated by trees. They are often named for the type of trees that grow in them. In this instance, it has been named for the abundance of jackfruit trees or 'kathal gach'.

The Kathalbari swamp is quite unique in other characteristics as well.

One of the most distinctive features of this swamp is the 30 odd, small hills that are inundated in water. Tourists are seen taking idyllic boat rides from one hill to another and many choose to get down at the hills to enjoy the scenic beauty.

Spanning an area of one square kilometre, the swamp is fed with rainwater for almost 10 months a year as the region receives the highest amount of rainfall in the country. Although hot and humid, the peace and tranquillity is what attracts tourists.

The swamp forest is considered the best place to view aquatic trees and animals, like the fishing cat. Other than the jackfruit trees, mango, lychee, java plum, pineapple and bay leaf trees are also plentiful in the area.

Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, chief executive of Save the Heritage and Environment, a rights based organisation, said the spot is a distinctive blend of hills and water that does not resemble other swamps.

Sylhet is well known for the Ratargul Swamp that has been drawing in tourists in droves for the last four to five years to view the trees submerged in water.

Locals and experts alike think the Kathalbari Swamp has the same potential to catch the fancy of local and foreign tourists.

Along with its picturesque settings, Kathalbari also boasts glorious past. The name of the deity of Raja Gour Gobind, the last Hindu ruler, was 'Hatekeswar'. In 1303 AD, when Raja Gobind defeated Hazrat Shahjalal, the Raja's deity went to a safe place at 'Kathalbari'. During the rule of Raja Joynarayan (1708-1731), one of the prominent Jaintia kings, the deity left for Sengram.

Mohammad Ashraful Kabir, coordinator of Bhumi Sontan Bangladesh, an environment and animal rights based organisation, said the Kathalbari Swamp forest is most spectacular during the rainy season.

The range of hills standing on the vast marsh, named 'Baur Haor', along with the partially submerged trees, is a sight to behold, he added.

Nasrin Jahan Fatema, vice-chairman of Companiganj Upazila Parishad in Sylhet district, said the swamp forest attracts nature lovers who can spot lotus, lily and kanchan flowers that are only found in this area.

RSM Monirul Islam, Divisional Forest Officer in Sylhet, said the swamp is on government fallow lands and has great potential for tourism.

There are boating facilities available here on a limited scale, said Mizanur Rahman, an auto rickshaw driver. The number of locals visiting the swamp forest has increased recently, he added.

The Kathalbari swamp forest is a promising addition to the other established tourist spots in the largest tea producing region in Bangladesh.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

First-ever five-star airport hotel of Bangladesh will be in Chittagong


Date

12/7/2017 5:15:26 AM

• 

(MENAFN - Bangladesh Monitor) CHITTAGONG : The groundbreaking ceremony of The Peninsula Chittagong Airport Garden, the first-ever five-star airport hotel in Bangladesh, was held at Patenga in the port city on October 8.

The hotel is expected to soft open by end of 2020 and the grand opening is scheduled in the first quarter of 2021.

Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Minister for Housing and Public Works was the chief guest at the groundbreaking ceremony. It was attended among others by Abdus Salam, Chairman, Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), Mahboob-Ur-Rahman, Chairman, Mustafa Tahseen Arshad, Managing Director and Mushtak Luhar, General Manager, The Peninsula Chittagong,

Situated on way to Shah Amanat International Airport, the hospitality property will be built on one acre of land taken lease from Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).

The Peninsula Chittagong Airport Garden will be the very first five-star business and leisure sea-view airport hotel in the country, featuring 201 guestrooms, three multi-cuisine restaurants, three ball rooms, gym, the largest three-side infiniti pool and other state-of-the-art facilities.

Chittagong Airport Garden will be the first international five-star standard chain-hotel owned by a Bangladeshi and managed by Bangladeshi hotel management, the very team managing The Peninsula Chittagong.

Located at a unique spot at Patenga of the port city near Bangladesh Naval Academy, the hotel will attract not only tourists visiting the sea-beach but also the businessmen who are working with the sea-port and EPZ.
http://menafn.com/1096200455/Firstever-fivestar-airport-hotel-of-Bangladesh-will-be-in-Chittagong

 

[bluesky]

@TopCat，@Doyalbara：I just checked the Chinese tourist info about BD. I think that BD government should perhaps consider， as many other countries did， to increase direct air links，to ease the visa application and most importantly to promote BD tourist attactions in China. For instance，a BD tourist visa needs an interview，employer certificate，and etc. For a family of 4，we need to travel to Beijing at least once and spend three days to get the visum stampled.

I assume, because Cox's Bazaar is quite near to Kunming, it will become the departure point for the Chinese tourists to BD as well as SL. So, very logically, the GoB should establish a Consular Office there. Visa rules should also be eased.

I have been watching many a lip services by the Aviation/Tourism (?) ministry for many decades. People there including the minister himself keeps on beating about the bush, but not with action. For example, there are no booklets on tourism in Chinese or Japanese language, though the ministry loves to talk about the arrival of a million tourists.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Mövenpick signs new hotel in Sylhet, Bangladesh
By Iuliia Tore -
May 8, 2017


Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is set to open a 210-room hotel in Bangladesh in the third quarter of 2018. The business and leisure hotel will feature a retail wing and is located in one of Bangladesh’s main commercial and tourism centres in the northeast of the country.



Sylhet, known as the “land of boundless beauty”, is considered one of the most spectacular tourism destinations in Bangladesh. The scenic city is surrounded by tropical forests, such as the Lawachera Rainforest.

Guests at Mövenpick Hotel Sylhet Bangladesh will be able to relax in the rooftop infinity swimming pool and indulge in signature treatments at the spa. A fitness centre, tennis court and bowling alley complement the adjacent shopping area, which covers 12,600 sqft of retail space. In addition, the hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, speciality bistro and lounge. With a well-equipped business centre and the city’s largest meeting rooms, the hotel will also appeal to the growing number of business travellers.


According to the IMF, Bangladesh was the second-fastest growing major economy globally in 2016, at a rate of 7.1%. The country, with a population of 163 million people, recorded over 500,000 overseas arrivals last year.

Mövenpick Hotel Syhlet Bangladesh is just a few minutes from Sylhet Osmani International Airport. The destination’s verdant landscape of rolling hills and streams offers numerous opportunities to explore nature. Pangthumai Waterfall is referred to as the Amazon of Bangladesh, while Jaflong hill station is famed for its stone collections and being home to the Khasi tribe.The city also boasts the largest tea garden in the world, at Srimangal.
http://www.rustourismnews.com/2017/05/08/movenpick-signs-new-hotel-in-sylhet-bangladesh/

 

[Gibbs]

Only knew this brand for Ice creme till recently, Infact they have opened a swanky new property in downtown Colombo as well

 

[Homo Sapiens]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/01/15/watchtower-bhola-tourism/
225-feet watchtower in Bhola looks to boost tourism

• MA Ahad Chowdhury Tuhin, Bhola
• Published at 03:54 PM January 15, 2018
  

The 225-feet high Jakob Watchtower, against a backdrop of sunlit fog Dhaka Tribune

The watchtower cost around Tk10 crore and has a luxurious resort which cost another Tk10 crore attached to it

A steel structure in Bhola rivalling the height of a 21-storey building aims to draw attention to the island district.

The Jakob Watchtower in Charfesson, named after local MP and Deputy Minister of Forests and Environment Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, is part of an initiative to promote tourism in Bhola. The 225-feet watchtower aims to offer unparallel view of 100 square kilometres of surrounding area.

The 16-storey structure can accommodate around 50 visitors on each level. The watchtower cost around Tk10 crore and is built to withstand earthquakes of 8.0 magnitude. A luxurious resort is attached to the tower, which cost another Tk10 crore.

An elevator will take visitors to the topmost levels, providing a scenic display of the picturesque mangroves, sea, and river of Charfesson. Visitors can see as far as the island of Manpura, Char Kukrimukri, Dhal Char, Tarua Beach, Bay of Bengal, and parts of Patuakhali.

President Abdul Hamid is set to visit Bhola to inaugurate the watchtower on Tuesday.

The local municipal authority has determined the entry fee as Tk100.

Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, the tower’s namesake and project patron, told the Dhaka Tribune that the watchtower will script a new chapter for tourism and architecture in Bangladesh.

“The structure will give Bhola a new identity to introduce to the world,” he hoped.

 

[Shorisrip]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/01/15/watchtower-bhola-tourism/
225-feet watchtower in Bhola looks to boost tourism

• MA Ahad Chowdhury Tuhin, Bhola
• Published at 03:54 PM January 15, 2018
  

The 225-feet high Jakob Watchtower, against a backdrop of sunlit fog Dhaka Tribune

The watchtower cost around Tk10 crore and has a luxurious resort which cost another Tk10 crore attached to it

A steel structure in Bhola rivalling the height of a 21-storey building aims to draw attention to the island district.

The Jakob Watchtower in Charfesson, named after local MP and Deputy Minister of Forests and Environment Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, is part of an initiative to promote tourism in Bhola. The 225-feet watchtower aims to offer unparallel view of 100 square kilometres of surrounding area.

The 16-storey structure can accommodate around 50 visitors on each level. The watchtower cost around Tk10 crore and is built to withstand earthquakes of 8.0 magnitude. A luxurious resort is attached to the tower, which cost another Tk10 crore.

An elevator will take visitors to the topmost levels, providing a scenic display of the picturesque mangroves, sea, and river of Charfesson. Visitors can see as far as the island of Manpura, Char Kukrimukri, Dhal Char, Tarua Beach, Bay of Bengal, and parts of Patuakhali.

President Abdul Hamid is set to visit Bhola to inaugurate the watchtower on Tuesday.

The local municipal authority has determined the entry fee as Tk100.

Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, the tower’s namesake and project patron, told the Dhaka Tribune that the watchtower will script a new chapter for tourism and architecture in Bangladesh.

“The structure will give Bhola a new identity to introduce to the world,” he hoped.

This is good, decentralization of especially the tourism industry is a necessity for having a thriving tourist industry. The problem is however, that our transportation system is subpar. This needs to be changed so that like currently, tourists do not just stay in Dhaka (or visit Chittagong at most), but get to see various places in the country.

 

[bluesky]

January 16, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:45 PM, January 20, 2018
Discover Bangladesh: Nijhum Dwip
The Island of Silence
Saim Bin Mujib


Nijhum Dwip, an island situated in the southern part of Bangladesh, offers a quiet landscape dotted with mangrove forest and a beach.
<iframe width="745" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YuriBLaoRL0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In this new episode of Discover Bangladesh, Star Live takes you to Nijhum Dwip, the island of silence. Watch the video to know more.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

• Appointments

Subroto Banerjee GM of Mövenpick’s first hotel in Bangladesh
By TTG Asia
/ Posted on 11 June, 2018 9:27
Subroto Banerjee has been appointed as general manager of Mövenpick Hotel Sylhet, the first Mövenpick-branded property in Bangladesh.

Banerjee has been a part of the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ team in general manager roles in hotels in India and Saudi Arabia since 2014.

He first started his hospitality career more than three decades ago, and has worked for major hotel brands in India including Oberoi, Sheraton and Hyatt Regency. As a F&B specialist, he later moved to Oman to manage the main restaurant at the former InterContinental Muscat.

Upon returning to India, Subroto took on senior management roles for a series of prestigious hospitality projects, eventually becoming general manager of Starwood’s Aloft Bengaluru Whitefield hotel in 2012.
https://www.ttgasia.com/2018/06/11/subroto-banerjee-gm-of-movenpicks-first-hotel-in-bangladesh/

 

[Homo Sapiens]

National
| Published : 26 Jun 2018, 19:19
Govt to declare marine drive as preserved tourist zone
0Shares00000

BSS
The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has decided to declare both sides of marine drive in Cox’s Bazar as preserved tourist zone, reports BSS.

The ministry has taken a plan to develop a special tourism area near Sundarbans with all modern amenities for attracting more both domestic and foreign tourists.

This was revealed on Tuesday day at a workshop titled “Conservation and Preservation of Heritage Sites and its Promotion as the Tourism Attractions” organised by Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) at CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest while Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Mohibul Haque spoke as the special guest.

Haque said the government is going to declare both sides of the 80 km long marine drive from Cox’s Bazar town to Teknaf as preserved tourism zone to check installation of all kinds of illegal structure there.

“This marine drive has already grabbed the attention of both domestic and foreign tourists. We have to preserve its natural beauty to promote these sites in front of large volume of tourists around the world,” he said.

The tourism secretary also said they are planning to build a special tourism area with five star hotel and all modern facilities near Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest of the world.

“We would like to develop the zone without hampering environment of the forest,” he said, adding that tourists would roam inside the forest with small boats and stay night at the zone.

The minister called upon all stakeholders to be sincere in conserving and preserving the rich heritage sites as those are valuable tourism products of the country.

BTB’s Acting CEO Nikhil Ranjan Ray presided over the workshop while Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Chairman Akhtaruzzaman Khan Kabir spoke as the special guest.

Professor of Archaeology Department of Jahangirnagar University Dr AKM Shahnawaz presented the keynote paper at the workshop attended by tour operators, travel agents and owners of hotels and motels.
http://www.thebangladeshpost.com/national/31287

 

[Śakra]

@Nilgiri remind me how many dozens of tourist these desh gets?

 

[Homo Sapiens]

@Nilgiri remind me how many dozens of tourist these desh gets?

Why you need to remember? What is at stake for you?

 

[Flynn Swagmire]

@Nilgiri remind me how many dozens of tourist these desh gets?

Hey suckra remind me the names of recent indian gang rape victims. Please...

 

[Hasan89]

Why you need to remember? What is at stake for you?

Shameless behaya that witch is a characterless person, who barks like a dog at anything to get attention of Bangladeshis here. She mustve been used and abused by a bdeshi origin boy where she lives or been dumped recently haha. Hence she’s obsessed with with anything to do with BD. Have some dignity behaya..