International cruise ship arrives in Cox’s Bazar

[bluesky]

International cruise ship arrives in Cox’s Bazaar
Tarek Mahmud

• Published at 10:28 PM February 22, 2017
• Last updated at 10:52 PM February 22, 2017

The Silver Discoverer cruise shipSilversea
It is the first ever trip by any internationally-reputed sea cruise line to Bangladesh
The renowned cruise ship ‘Silver Discoverer’, owned by Monaco-based luxury cruise line Silversea, has arrived in Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali in Bangladesh carrying 75 foreign holidaymakers.

The voyage titled “Colombo to Kolkata Asia Expedition Cruise,” started on February 11 from Sri Lanka’s Colombo and will end its 14-day tour in Kolkata.

After several years of efforts by Journey Plus, a Bangladesh tour operator, Silversea agreed to open new routes in the region adding Bangladesh.

“The ship arrived at Maheshkhali channel around 11am Wednesday and left the island for Sundarbans in the afternoon,” Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ali Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune.

“Bangladesh is now on the world’s cruise map and this voyage will help boosting future tourism of the country,” said Tawfiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey Plus.

“The tourist ship will arrive at Sundarbans’ Hiron Point on Thursday while it is scheduled to leave Bangladesh on Saturday after four-day trip.”

He further said: “The tourists on this trip are mainly from the European countries while the tourist company does not want to share much about their clients showing security concern.”

“They visited the Adinath Temple and some other tourist spots in the island. The security measures were tightened during their visit to the island,” Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abul Kalam told the Dhaka Tribune.

After the Holy Artisan attack in Gulshan last year, Bangladesh’s tourism sector faced sharp fall, this type of visit would raise positive image, said businessmen, authorities and stakeholders.

“Such initiatives may inspire tourists from other countries to visit the world’s longest sea beach and world’s biggest mangrove forest,” said Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mahbubul Alam.

Silversea has started carrying tourists on two routes through Bay of Bengal. One is Colombo-Kolkata via Cox’s Bazar and another is Kolkata-Thailand via Bangladesh and Myanmar.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

e further said: “The tourists on this trip are mainly from the European countries while the tourist company does not want to share much about their clients showing security concern.”

after the Holy Artisan attack in Gulshan last year, Bangladesh’s tourism sector faced sharp fall, this type of visit would raise positive image, said businessmen, authorities and stakeholders.

This is the problem when you are not an established tourist destination.Far more lethal terrorist attacks happened targeting tourist in Egypt,Turkey,Tunisia or Indonesia,but their tourism sector quickly bounced back to earlier position.Because those places are too tempting to ignore much longer.Tourist can play security card to its fullest when you sweat to bring them on like the Bangladeshi tour operator 'Journey Plus'

 

[monitor]

A new era in tourism industry we have so much to offer yet unable to attracts tourists.

 

[Gibbs]

This is great.. Cruise based tourists are also high spenders, Sri Lanka is a hub for Cruise lines with the biggest ones regularly berthing there.. Both Colombo and Galle are building International terminals at both ports to cater exclusively cruise ship traffic, Including duty free malls

Maybe Chittagong could follow suit when more cruising companies add Bangladesh in to their route

 

[Kailash Rava]

frankly i thought cox bazar was a bazar(market)..when i first heard the name

 

[Gandh brandi]

A new era in tourism industry we have so much to offer yet unable to attracts tourists.

Not without bikinis and alcohol we ain't.

 

[monitor]

Not without bikinis and alcohol we ain't.

Or nudists zone.

Joke aside people's comes not for wondering wearing bikinis or to drink alcohol. If we can provide them other facilities which don't compromise our social religious valuable culture we can be a tourists attraction.

 

[Gibbs]

Not without bikinis and alcohol we ain't.

Every tourist hot spot around the world does not just consist of sun and sand mate, They have other unique attractions as well, From wildlife to archaeology

Yes ultra conservatism does not attract holiday seekers but if you market the country well there is no reason why people would not visit

 

[Gandh brandi]

Or nudists zone.

Joke aside people's comes not for wondering wearing bikinis or to drink alcohol. If we can provide them other facilities which don't compromise our social religious valuable culture we can be a tourists attraction.

Hefazat aisa je ghenghenani shuru korbo. People who wear bikinis and drink alcohol are young and visit more liberal/lax conutries/territories. Countries like ours only get business tourists and/or old retired people. It's better this way to uphold the status quo.

 

[monitor]

Every tourist hot spot around the world does not just consist of sand and the sand mate, They have other unique attractions as well, From wildlife to archaeology

Yes ultra conservatism does not attract holiday seekers but if you market the country well there is no reason why people would not visit

We have sunderban largest manfgrove forest, hills lake what is lacking is promotions.

Hefazat aisa je ghenghenani shuru korbo. People who wear bikinis and drink alcohol are young and visit more liberal/lax conutries/territories. Countries like ours only get business tourists and/or old retired people. It's better this way to uphold the status quo.

That's the problem.

 

[Gibbs]

We have sunderban largest manfgrove forest, hills lake what is lacking is promotions.


That's the problem.

Promotions need to be done by the govt and tourism authorities, There is a limit what private sector can do

Average tourist in Cruises are older wealthier people often many retiree's, Perhaps more suited to places like Bangladesh but they also expect high end facilities for their buck, The service industry needs to be world class in that regard

 

[Gandh brandi]

Every tourist hot spot around the world does not just consist of sun and sand mate, They have other unique attractions as well, From wildlife to archaeology

Yes ultra conservatism does not attract holiday seekers but if you market the country well there is no reason why people would not visit

Yes. Bangladesh is a yuuuge wonder of wildlife (with various rare, not-extinct creatures), nature park, ancient archeology (that don't get destroyed), bustling nightlife (shops and institutions don't close after 9/10 pm I swear) etc. etc.

 

[Gibbs]

Yes. Bangladesh is a yuuuge wonder of wildlife

Hmmm.. Sarcasm aside.. As someone mentioned Sunderbans can made in to a attraction, And maybe develop places like Cox's Bazar as exclusive tourist zones, Somewhat like Sharm El Sheik in Egypt, With special jurisdiction regarding alcohol, Dress codes etc.. ??

 

[riasat]

Hefazat aisa je ghenghenani shuru korbo. People who wear bikinis and drink alcohol are young and visit more liberal/lax conutries/territories. Countries like ours only get business tourists and/or old retired people. It's better this way to uphold the status quo.

Religious hardcore elements are always the biggest hindrance to the progress of any country.
I wonder if these hefazots have any other job other than to do business by selling religion.

 

[Russell]

Religious hardcore elements are always the biggest hindrance to the progress of any country.
I wonder if these hefazots have any other job other than to do business by selling religion.

They don't need jobs. Biggest 'charity' scam going - they're very well taken care of.