Work underway on 'National Tourism Master Plan' to advance sector: PM

Necessary steps have been taken considering the potential achievements from maritime zone planning activities, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said. He further informed that the current government has a specific commitment to advance the tourism sector in a long-term, sustainable and planned manner. To this end, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is working on formulating a 'National Tourism Master Plan'.

The prime minister made these remarks in response to a starred question from MP ABM Mosharraf Hossain of the Patuakhali-4 constituency during the question-answer session of the National Parliament on Wednesday morning, April 15.

The prime minister said the preservation of Kuakata's natural beauty and the development of the tourism sector are being given special importance in the formulation of this master plan. Additionally, a feasibility study is being conducted for a project titled 'Development of basic facilities of Kuakata in Patuakhali district and Patenga-Anwara sea beach in Chattogram district'.

He further said that under an initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, a plan titled 'Payra-Kuakata Comprehensive Plan Focusing on Eco-Tourism' has been adopted, covering seven upazilas adjacent to Kuakata – Galachipa, Kalapara, Rangabali, Barguna Sadar, Patharghata, Amtali and Taltali. An 'Action Area Plan' is currently being formulated to implement this plan.

The prime minister expressed hope that the tourism-related part of the Action Area Plan would be implemented through the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Once the plan is finalised, the overall development of the tourism sector in Kuakata under Kalapara upazila will be accelerated.

Earlier, the parliamentary session began in the morning with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair. Leader of the House took part in the scheduled question-answer session at the start of the day.