Industrial Tour Report Essay Example

tourism's contribution to the economic growth of the country has been recognized.

The major objectives of the study are to determine what should be our strategies, where we like to reach by 2020. The study also aims to identify major problems of the tourism industry in Bangladesh. It examines in brief the existing impediments of tourism promotion and possible ways to overcome these for a satisfactory level of tourism growth. It looks at the compatibility of Bangladesh's tourism with other neighboring countries.

The study also revealed that there is an acute lack of coordination among the ministries, departments and agencies in Bangladesh, which must be resolved for the sake of vigorous growth of this industry. Government may consult and take advice from the people who are directly involved with the tourism industry.

The government is trying heart and soul to alleviate poverty, and various programmes and planning were taken since independence. But the target to alleviate poverty is yet to reach at a satisfactory level. Tourism can be an effective tool for poverty alleviation.

Introduction Tourism industry- be generate faster and deeper human employment or to educate our generations or simply to collect memorable experiences in life, there is no parallel to tourism. A pointer to the importance and impact of tourism worldwide, tourism accounts for more than ten percent of the global gross national product (Refer to World Bank data on tourism). In the era of all pervading globalization, competition, core competence and outsourcing, for' many developing countries, tourism experience products may be the only wares left to sell to the outside world (Jaura, 1998). Even such developed nations as

France, USA and Australia co tourism revenue in a big way and make conscious efforts to market their tourism attractions.

The most important ways for tourism to play this elevated role in our society is to promote ecotourism. This form of tourism serves both the inhabitants and the visitors of the unique eco-assets and legacies at the tourism destination. A case in point is the Nevada, USA and to some extent our next door neighbor Sri Lanka. Have succeeded in the transition of tourism into ecotourism. Karalla of our own is another case in point.

That’s all above the reason we took tourism as our subject of survey for industrial tour program. We choose to analyze the tourism industry of Cox’sbazar region including Saint Martin as a Unique Study that have never done before such elaborately. The tour was conducted from 22nd December to 24th December, 2009. It also helps us to exercise our bookish knowledge in the practical field study.

In this report the role of the local people of saintmartin in tourism industry have been discussed. The negative impact of their activities are also included. At last some recommendations are provided on the basis of our observation regarding the tourism industry of that region.

Objective of the Study There are a number of objectives that we put ahead in our study. The main objective of the study is to critically examine the role of local people in tourism industry of saintmartin. The study also gives a conceptual idea of tourism industry, to examine the role of tourism in the economic development of our country etc. But mainly we are

highlighting the following objectives-

• The role of the local people of saintmartin. • To provide some conceptual idea about tourism and tourism industry. • To know in details about the tourism facilities in Cox’sbazar region. • To provide some recommendation after the study.

Methodology of the Study

The methodology of the study holds in following steps:

1. Selection of the Study area: Selection of the study area is major task of the report. We choose saintmartin to fulfill the purpose of our report. 2. Data collection: mainly the data we use here are primary according to their source. We also gather data according to our observation. 3. Interview: we took interview of the local people of saintmartin and also talk with the various type of tourists who were present during the time of our tour. 4. Package Directories: Some information is collected from the directories of the joint package tour program organized by different eco-tourism institutions like Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and various tourism agencies. 5. Some of my friends and relatives enthusiastically help me about the real condition of the Cox’sbazar. Limitation of the Study

Expenses and time constrains are mentionable. After all of our fight to collect the information from the field when we have to go through the computer work we faced the hardware and software problem. Another major and non-major problem that we faced during our report makings are:

➢ As the study area is in a remote place we can’t stay there for a long time to observe the trend. ➢ Since our tour is related to some recent information but maximum is oral

based information not documentary. ➢ Communication in the island in not satisfactory. ➢ Full cooperation from the people of the island is not satisfactory. ➢ Unfortunately there is no complete survey is made on Saint Martine ever before. ➢ There is very few information got from the Internet website and almost that was not sufficient for our paper. ➢ Interact with the local people was a bit tough.

➢ The tour operators were not as professional as they should be.

What is Tourism Tourism is travel for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes or the provision of services to support this leisure travel. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited". Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2004, there were over 763 million international tourist arrivals.

Tourism is vital for many countries, due to the income generated by the consumption of goods and services by tourists, the taxes levied on businesses in the tourism industry, and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services such as cruise ships and taxis, accommodation such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, and other hospitality industry services such as spas and resorts.

One of the earliest definitions of tourism was provided by the Austrian economist in 1910, who defined it as, "bob total of operators, mainly of an economic nature, which directly relate to the

entry, stay and movement of foreigners inside and outside a certain country, city or a region."

Hunziker and Krapf, in 1941, defined tourism as "the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity." In 1976 Tourism Society of England defined it as "Tourism is the temporary, short-term movement of people to destination outside the places where they normally live and work and their activities during the stay at each destination. It includes movements for all purposes." In 1981 International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism defined Tourism in terms of particular activities selected by choice and undertaken outside the home environment.

Tourism industry in Bangladesh Tourism is a growing industry in Bangladesh. Recently, Cox’sbazar of Bangladesh has been recognized as a rising tourists' spot among the fastest growing destinations in the world(BPC, 2006). Presently, it holds important position in the competition of world's natural beauty-new seven wonders (www.new7wonders.com/nature). So, this industry has great potentials both as a foreign exchange earner and provider of job opportunities with the resultant multiplier effect on the country's economy as a whole (Rahman, 2007). However, the potentials of this sector in Bangladesh still remain unexplored by parties concerned mainly due to poor infrastructure facilities and deterioration of law and order system (corruption and terrorism), whereas this sector in different countries is a major source of revenue, employment generation and poverty alleviation (The News Today February 18, 2008).

Tourism industry in Bangladesh is becoming an emerging issue both for the public and private sector to

establish their eligibility for accomplishing a successful business as well as marketing activities development (Akteruzzaman & Ishtiaque 2001 p. 107).). Bangladesh is fast emerging as an alluring tourist spot on the global map. It is a land of diverse attractions, bountiful nature and millions of friendly people with more than a millennium of cultural heritage. The country has failed to utilize even 10 per cent of its tourism potential due to lack of sufficient steps and entrepreneurship by the government and private sectors (The Daily Star May 19, 2006). We need to take pragmatic steps including developing our websites to increase international tourist flow to our country. Cambodia has its tourism websites in eight languages; Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia in 12 languages, and we have ours only in one language, in English. Extensive training, increased government budget and a long-term policy will give a boost to the tourism and hospitality industry that hold tremendous potentials in Bangladesh (The News Today February 18, 2008). San Amalan, the General Manger of Westin Dhaka opined that the number of tourists will mark a rise in Chittagong city if high quality hotels are set up at the port city, known as the commercial hub of inviting foreign direct investment (FDI) to develop road communications, construct motels and hotels, renovate old and historical places and monuments and protect mangroves and green areas (Ibid). Introducing Saint Martin

According to khan (2004), personal interviews and discussions with the local elders and review of old documents indicate that first human settlement was started since 1980-0900. At the time 13 families from Myanmar migrated to live here and the population was when only 60

over the time people from different parts have settled here and the population has increased geometrically. In the mid 1950, there were 500 people in this island and now there are over 8000 people (2009). Majority of the people originated from Myanmar known as the Aralean Muslum (Rohinga). The islanders live in the remotest area, which is isolated from the main without minimum amenities. Lakes of diversified sources of income and basic health care, electricity, equitable credit system have resulted in community hardship and kept them at poverty line.

Location:

The St. Martin’s Island lying between 20o34/ and 20o39/ North latitude and 90o18/ - 92o21/ East longitude is separated from the southern most extremity of mainland Bangladesh-Badarmokam by a channel about 8 km wide. East of the channel lies the Arakan coast of Myanmar with the Arakan ranges of hills in the background. The island is situated in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal about 100 miles both of Cox’s Bazar and is approximately 11 miles away from Badarmokam, the southern most point of the main land and about 12 miles south of Teknaf.

Area and Size: The island has an area of only about 3.5 sq. km. predominating by its length from north to south which is 10 km. with breadth less than 1.65 km. in the east west direction towards the north of the island such as north direction 1240 mt., Galachipa 100 mt., south direction 870 mt. etc (Ministry of Forestry & Environment).

Physiographical features:

This island is completely plain land and constituted mainly with sand, stone and coral. This area is covered with coconut

trees, and there is a nice beach surrounding the island and dense Keya and Nishinda groves besides the beach etc really make the island as a fascinating and beautiful landscape for the visitors. There is a nice sight of green seawater surrounding the island. The different varieties of shells and mother of pearl such as conch shells, Spanish drill and cowries are plenty here. Living corals can be seen about 20 feet deep in to the transparent water around a part of Saint Martin’s inland named Chera Dip, which becomes detached from the island during high tide (Banglapedia, 2003).

Climate: Laying within the tropics, the island enjoys monsoon type of climate as main land Bangladesh. In winter the temperature various from 18° to 25°c with little or no rains. But in summer, the temperature rises very sharply, as high as 38°c, but generally various between 26 and 35°c. Like main land Bangladesh, the whole year can be divided into four seasons. This are : (a) Winter (November, December, January ) with low temp and humidity with no rain (b) Pre-monsoon ( February, March, April and the first half of May ) with high temperature ( highest temperature in April ) and occasional rain associated with the Kalbaisakhi, (c) Monsoon ( Jun, July, August ) with heavy showers and maximum humidity . Sometimes, the heavy showers continue for 5-6 days together and about 85% of the total rainfall occurs during this season. (d) Post-monsoon (September and October) with high temperature and occasional rain associated with the depressions and cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. The island receives an annual rainfall about 120 inches (BNGA Journal

Vol. 7& 8).

Tourism in Saintmartin & The role of local people The silent nature of saintmartin is changing regularly due to its popularity as a tourist spot. Now it is regarded as one of the most attractive and fascinating tourist spot in Bangladesh. Its coral, deep blue water, the biodiversity allure the tourist to come and have some enjoyable time. As it is far from the so called modern society so people find another reason which is enjoying the simplicity of the place.

The tour operators are now making it very easy for the tourist to go there by offering various facilities. Everyday 4 big ships start from Teknaf to reach the ultimate destination Saintmartin. The winter season is regarded as the peak season for travel as the weather is very favorable then. At this period around 5000 people daily visit this place.

As we early said this is a remote area, so the infrastructure of this area is not developed so yet. The number of hotels, restaurants and other recreational facilities are very handful here. So the success of this spot actually depends on the role of the local people. The truth state that it is the local people who are the unsung hero behind the gradual increase in the number of tourists.

Here we try to describe the key role that the local people are playing regarding the tourism:

➢ Welcome the tourists as their guest

When we talked with a veteran old man about their feelings regarding tourists, he replied- ‘Sir, you are our guest, so we will be very happy to give you some

hospitality.’ The answer tells many thing about the nature of the people. This local people may be uneducated but they bear a deep affection for their habitat and also for the visitors who come to their surroundings. They always treat the tourists as their guest. They love to talk with the visitors, try to answer all the queries, spreads their helping hands as possible as they can. This warm welcome always inspire a tourist to come again and have some quality time amidst this lovely people. ➢ Help to accommodate people

As we early stated there are lack of hotels and other infrastructures in Saintmartin, so the tourists find it very difficult to find any place to pass a day, at least the night during the peak season. The local people play their role in this concern. They rent their own home or any part of their residence to the tourists. They also help to find out the desired places for the tourists.

➢ Help in transportation When all the ships landed at the jetty of saintmartin and the tourists begin to find their places there we often find a big rush in the road nearby full of particular type of vehicle. This is one of the specialties of saintmartin--The Rickshaw Van. These are very much similar to the conventional rickshaws but large in size and has the capacity to absorb more passenger and their luggage. The capacity of each van is maximum 6. Although these vans are not well decorated or furnished but these are very popular mean of moving from one place to another in saintmartin. Many local people earn their

money by driving this van. The main profession of the people is fishing but still some people doing it as a part time earning source. They target the time of coming and leaving the ship while the number of tourist are high and that time these vans become the need of all. The rickshaw vans are also popular because it is environmentally safe and less risk involved with this while riding.

➢ Shopping Facility In saintmartin, shopping in the stalls owned by people become a pleasure for all. Almost everyone buy many things from those stalls run by the local dwellers. They sell fish that are dried in the sun which are known as dry fish and can be preserved over the season. These dry fishes are very cheap and many varieties are available there. These are also high in quality and taste. Another thing that everyone buy is pickle which are known as Achar. People rush to the stores to buy ‘Barmies Achar.’ Many types of ornaments made by oyster, pearl, and snail are main attraction for the women. At midday, when the sun is at its high people feel strong thirst and at that time they need something very cool. The local people provide the with natural cool water that is Coconut water. These are very tasty. These stalls are also available in Chera Dip.

➢ Help in having food Fish is the main attraction in saintmartin. One can avail numerous types of sea fishes there. The people make it very easy for the tourist to have those foods. They gather all the attractive fishes in trays and place it at

the front of their hotels which sometimes allure the tourist to go and taste them. Now a days may hotels have become visible there and one can easily have some good Bengali fresh food there. Even when people visit Chera dip, there they can have dry fishes which just have been caught form the sea. This is really an awesome feelings for the tourists.

➢ Boat facility Chera dip which is just some kilometer form the saintmartin mainland is one of the target destinations for the tourists. But it is bit difficult to there without boat. Local sailors help the visitors to reach there. Different types of boat are available there. The big one can carry 40-50 people while there are small boats also. Many people earn their livelihood by doing this.

➢ Role in providing security Irrespective of other tourist spots, saintmartin is very much secured one. There is no RAB, Armed force or such types of forces rather the local people take the responsibility of providing security to their guests. They proudly say that there is no thief in the island and they can not think of stealing from the tourists. To many extent there this pride is justified and the security condition of saintmartin is very much tourism friendly.

➢ Role of local kids Even the local kids have there role in saintmartin tourism. They carry the luggage of the visitors, guide them to their desired hotels or other places, sell various items to the tourists. Sometimes they guard the necessary materials of the tourists while they are enjoying the water in return of just 5-10 taka.

➢

Help on case of emergency Many times we heard the news that due to unfavorable weather, the communication between saintmartin and Teknaf mainland become halted for a day or for 2-3 days. Many tourists become obstructed there and suffer a miserable condition. At that time the local dwellers come to their help. They provided the tourist with shelter, food, health facilities etc to overcome this condition. By showing this nature of them, the local people rise their standard to a prestigious level.

➢ As an icon for fighting against the nature Saintmartin is such a place which is far away from the land. There is no power, no modern facilities for living or proper healthcare facilities. But this helpless people have to face a lot of natural disasters and at the end of the day they are the winners. The struggling story has always be an icon for the others. Many people or researchers from distant places come here to know how they live and win against such ferocious opponent which is Nature. The people become an example of motivation for all.

Negative impacts regarding the local people Till now we describe the positive roles of the locals. But there are some factors of them which negatively affect the people who come there to have a sound visit and for enjoyment. Some of these factors are highlighted below:

1. Language has always been a barrier there. The local people use their own language which is too much critical for the city people to understand. So miss-communication arises as well as some problem also arises there. 2. Deception by the rural is also

a problem. They try to deceive people in the sense of price, quality, food etc. they think as the tourists will not stay there so there deception will remain unaware by the visitors. 3. Van pullers charges some impossible price form the tourists. This fare fluctuates too much and create problem for the people who come here for travel. 4. The van pullers reckless driving often create problem for the pedestrians. 5. The hotels and other places where foods are provided are in a unhygienic condition. 6. The backwardness of the society fail to attract the foreign visitors. 7. The local people does not know the tools of tourism and can not implement it in an effective way. 8. They have no vision about tourism.

9. Natural disasters make the people helpless all the time. 10. They make discrimination among the tourists who are from Chittagong region an who are from other areas. The locals get the extra benefit from them always. 11. In the name of taking help for the madrashas or mosques they are just collecting money from the tourists and it has become a business of some corrupt people.