BPC proposes Tk19,090cr projects to revamp tourist spots

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has drawn up a Tk19,090 crore plan to develop tourism infrastructure at 60 locations across the country, covering hill districts, coastal islands, the Sundarbans and major cities.

The state-owned corporation submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, which has forwarded it to the Planning Ministry for approval, BPC Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman said.

The projects include tourism complexes, hotels, entertainment centres, cable cars, handicraft and heritage facilities, training centres and other visitor amenities. The initiative follows a master plan by the Bangladesh Tourism Board that identified 1,498 potential tourism spots nationwide.

Shamimuzzaman said the projects would help make the sector more competitive and increase its contribution to the economy.

BPC General Manager (Planning) Md Ziaul Haque Howlader said the projects would not rely solely on government funds. Some will be financed by the government, while others will be implemented through public-private partnerships or private investment, with foreign investors potentially involved in larger schemes.

The proposal comes as the government separately pursues a PPP model for BPC's existing facilities. BPC currently runs 53 establishments, including hotels, motels, restaurants, bars, picnic spots and tourist information centres, most of which have posted weak financial returns.

The first major PPP project is the redevelopment of Hotel Shaibal in Cox's Bazar into an international-standard integrated tourism complex on nearly 132 acres of government land.

The largest allocation, around Tk5,980 crore for nine projects, is proposed for Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. The plans include facilities in the coral island area, Patenga, Cumilla and Sabrang, along with night-time entertainment aimed at encouraging longer stays and higher spending.

In the Chattogram Hill Tracts, projects are planned for Kaptai, Bandarban and Rangamati to expand facilities and redevelop existing attractions, including suspension bridges.

Around Tk3,540 crore has been proposed for coastal and island areas, including Taltali in Barguna, Rangabali, Char Bijoy, Amtali, Kuakata, Hatiya, Nijhum Dwip and Manpura.

Sylhet is set to receive 12 projects worth about Tk3,460 crore, including international-standard tourism facilities and complexes. The broader plan also covers destinations in the Mymensingh region, including Sherpur, Durgapur, Jamalpur and Nalitabari.

Four projects worth around Tk1,720 crore have been proposed for the Khulna-Sundarbans region, including five-star hotels and training centres in Bagerhat and Khulna.

Seven projects worth about Tk1,510 crore are planned for Rajshahi and the northern districts, while around Tk2,900 crore has been proposed for Dhaka and surrounding areas, including multipurpose tourism complexes, cable cars, handicraft centres and heritage attractions. A cable car is also proposed at Hatirjheel.