Sustainable Tourism Development in Bangladesh: Challenges to Protect and Promote the Sundarbans

Uchinlayen U, Yan M and Chen SK

Published on: 2023-10-17

Abstract

Purpose:

To protect and prosper the nature-based tourism spots, it is significant to put concentration on sustainable tourism growth and environmental preservation in a balanced way. To serve this purpose, this study has been conducted on the Sundarbans, world’s largest mangrove forest, to find out the key ways for developing sustainable tourism in an environmentally friendly way while minimizing the unjustifiable and unsustainable utilization of natural resources.

Methodology

In the current study, purposive sampling technique was utilized for selecting representative sample from the existed local tourism related business owner, and local people. Questionnaire which is a structured one was designed to evaluate constructs. 365 data were collected via field study. After that, the survey data were analyzed through utilizing logistic regression (LR).

Results

Among the independent variables included in the NES framework, only 8 variables: advantages of natural diversity, natural complications, compatibility, multi-culture opportunity, diversity of life, jobs opportunity, GDP contribution, and income opportunity significantly influence sustainable development of tourism in the Sundarbans area.

Limitations

This research is based on the selected sample about the sustainability, protection and promotion of the Sundarbans but most of the respondents had limited ideas about these key issues of Sundarbans.

Contribution

The results of the current study will help Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, research institutes and government policy makers in formulating strategies for sustainable tourism development in the Sundarbans.

Novelty

The method applied in this study has opened new horizons instead of the long-standing conventional idea in the field of sustainable tourism development in Bangladesh.