Tourism for Attaining SDGs: Challenges and Prospects for Bangladesh

This seminar explored tourism as a driver for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. Experts mapped linkages between tourism and SDGs on decent work, gender equality, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. The discussion reviewed Bangladesh’s assets—heritage sites, ecotourism in the Sundarbans, beaches, and cultural festivals—while acknowledging barriers: weak infrastructure, limited marketing, inadequate skills, and environmental degradation. Comparative examples from Asia were discussed, highlighting the role of policy frameworks, incentives, and PPPs. Participants called for integrated tourism strategies that align with sustainability principles, avoid over-tourism, and maximize community benefits. They emphasized that tourism is not just an economic sector but a cross-cutting enabler for jobs, conservation, and cultural diplomacy.