Assignment on

Roles of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

Course Title: Tourism Fundamentals

Submitted to Prof. Dr. Md. Afjal Hossain Course instructor

Submitted by Md. Aminul Islam ID: 071106030

Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality Management University of Dhaka

Introduction

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) was established in November 1972 by the order of the President and commenced its function in 1973. At first it was named National Tourism Organization (NTO). It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

Vision and Mission statement of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC)

VISION: Develop Bangladesh as an Exotic Tourist Destination.

MISSION:

1. To develop BPC as an Organization of excellence with adequate authority and capacity / 2. To regulate facilitate tourism industry in Bangladesh; 3. To develop and maintain international standard tourism products and ancillary facilities; 4. To involve government and encourage private sector in developing physical infrastructure i.e. road, rail, air and waterways for easy accessibility; 5. To ensure security & safety of the tourists; 6. To take initiative for simplifying visa and immigration formalities for tourists; 7. To encourage pro-poor tourism industry for their economic betterment and empowerment; 8. To develop ecotourism based on nature and ethnic culture; 9. To enhance the balance of payment, create employment opportunities, alleviate poverty and create social harmony through tourism activities; 10. To enhance marketing of tourism products at home and aboard; 11. To develop human resource in tourism sector; 12. To build a strong public-private partnership in the tourism industry;

13. To promote and maintain close cooperation with regional and international counterparts of the industry; 14. To handover the commercial units to the private management operator to encourage private sector for promote tourism in the country.

Services provided by BPC:

1. Provide tourism information; 2. Identify & popularize new tourist areas; 3. Participate in national and international tourist fairs at home and abroad; 4. Provide services to attract investors to invest in the tourism sector; 5. Create business & employment; 6. Provide duty free goods at the international air ports in Bangladesh; 7. Conduct package tours for the tourists.

Human Resource Development Program of BPC Tourism is an income generating activity of the highest importance in the current world and holds great economic promise for the developing countries. Recognizing the need for training in all areas involved with tourism development, the National Hotel & Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) was established in 1974 under Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (The National Tourism Organisation).

The efficient management of Tourism Products depends upon professional training. In order to develop professionalism and provide a cadre of skilled and trained manpower to meet the increasing demands of the trained personnel for Hotel & Tourism Industry both at home and abroad, this Institute offers various courses of different duration.

Besides offering regular courses, NHTTI in 1994 as a test case for the first time started a two year long diploma in Hotel Management Course. With the expansion of tourism in the country, need for skilled manpower in the supervisory level is felt every now and then. Hence, Diploma certificate in Hotel Management Course has been re-introduced on a regular basis. The institute also provides in-service and on the job training for BPC personnel and arrange special seminar and workshop related to tourism development.

Ordinance The Board of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, established in the year 1973 consists of a Chairman and 3 whole- time Directors.

Objectives of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC)

To introduce Bangladesh globally as a top tourist destination and develop its tourism prospects and facilities.

To establish tourism infrastructures in Bangladesh. To develop, expand and promote tourism business To create tourism awareness among the people. To establish institutes for instruction and training of potential tourism personnel. To publish tourism publications.

Functions of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC)

To promote and develop tourism. To establish tourism infrastructures in Bangladesh. To provide facilities to undertake measures and carry out all kinds of activities connected with tourism

To acquire, establish, construct, arrange, provide and run hotels, restaurants, rest houses, picnic spots, camping sites, theatres, amusement parks and facilities for water skiing and entertainment.

To establish institutes for instruction and training of potential tourism personnel. To bring out tourism publication.

Services of BPC Services BPC operates 24 Commercial Units at the main tourist spots of the country. Its tourist services include:

Hospitality

Hotels/Motels/Restaurants (Hotels/Motels=15, Restaurants=19) Duty Free Shops (6) Picnic Spots (4)

Tours BPC conducts both readymade and tailor-made package and sightseeing tours, besides organizing river cruises:

1. Educational tours for school students in and outside Dhaka. 2. Dhaka city sightseeing tours. 3. Mainamati tours. 4. Nature and wildlife tours to Sundarbans. 5. Beach tours to Cox's Bazar. 6. Archaeological tours to Mahasthangarh, Paharpur Buddhist Monastery and Rajshahi Varendra Reasearch Museum. 7. River cruise to Chandpur and Jamdani village, Rupshi

National Tourism Policy (2010) The National Tourism Policy was declared in 2009. Its main objectives are:

To create interest in tourism among the people To preserve, protect, develop and maintain tourism resources To take steps for poverty-alleviation through creating employment To build a positive image of the country abroad To open up a recognized sector for private capital investment To arrange entertainment and recreation To strengthen national solidarity and integrity

In line with the policy, the Government provides incentives to attract private sector partners. The incentives include tax-holiday, loans, concession rates for taxes and duties and in specific cases, allotment of land etc. Development Program

Strategic Master Plan for Tourism

A strategic Master Plan for Tourism Development was prepared by UNDP/ WTO in 1990. It is being updated by WTO. Besides, the Government has taken steps to establish, Special Tourist Zones (STZ) at Cox's Bazar, Sundarbans and Kuakata. In the meantime a primary field survey has been conducted for Kuakata . The Government has taken initiative to exploit the eco-tourism potential of the country for sustainable tourism development.

Tourist Arrivals

Foreign tourist arrivals in Bangladesh has been showing an upward trend in the recent years. Total tourist arrival was more than two hundred thousand in 2001. Statistics of the last five years are presented below: Year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Tourist Arrivals 182420 171961 172781 199211 207199 Change % 9.97 - 5.73 0.48 15.30 4.01

Financial Performance BPC has been a self-financed profitable organization since 1983-84 financial year. The table below shows the financial performance for the last fifteen financial years: Total Expenditure 2218.84 3538.49 4304.26 3592.59 3528.97 3187.14 3050.22 6050.11 8200.23 8000.10 10112.12 Taka in lakh Pretax Profit/Loss 236.67 230.27 237.61 183.90 300.03 201.12 300.25 955.01 1950.11 1087.06 5175.21

Year 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2004 2004-2006 2006-2008 2008-2010

Total Income 2455.51 3768.76 4541.87 3776.49 3829.00 3388.26 3350.47 7005.12 10050.34 9087.16 15287.33

Conclusion As Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is the regulatory body of national tourism industry so it should play strong roles in tourism sector. Although recently a new organization has been formed named Bangladesh Tourism Board, but it is a toothless tiger. According to law, BPC will belong under BTB but BTB is now operated by BPC. If BPC can formulate a modern tourism policy and they can implement it successfully then Bangladesh will be one of the most attractive and largest tourism destinations among the world. It will be possible only then when BTB or BPC will be operated by tourism literate people.