Tourism
Island Paradise: The Bahamas Travel Guide
Often considered the tropical paradise of the Atlantic, the Bahamas is an archipelago chain consisting of over 700 small islands and cays. The islands offer pristine beaches, serene turquoise water, and a thriving flora and fauna. The Bahamas is known for being the perfect tropical getaway, attracting millions of tourists each year. Let’s look at 10 of the most interesting places to visit and exciting things to do in this Atlantic archipelago.
10 Best Places to Visit in the Bahamas
Nassau
You can start the retreat from the capital of the Bahamas itself, Nassau. Nassau City is known for its history and untainted natural beauty. Almost all major airlines fly into the Lynden Pindling International Airport, located in the heart of Nassau.
Nassau is one of the more crowded destinations in the Bahamas. As a result, the vibrant straw market and the cable beach attract tourists from different countries around the world. From vibrant parties to late-night shenanigans, Nassau has it all. To explore the historic side of things, head over to Fort Charlotte.
Read more: These are the countries you can visit visa-free with a Bangladeshi passport in 2023
Accommodation in Nassau will range between 150 to 400 USD per night, depending on the guesthouse or luxury resort.
What to see in Vietnam: Amazing places and exciting things to do
Vietnam is a land of stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities that offer a unique blend of tradition and modernity. From busy cities to the serene countryside, Vietnam has something to offer travelers from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Whether you are seeking breathtaking natural beauty, cultural experiences, or mouthwatering cuisine, Vietnam has it all. Let's dive into the highlights and wonders that await you in this Southeast Asian country.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay - A Natural Wonder
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (recognized in 1994 and 2000), is a breathtaking natural wonder located in the Gulf of Tonkin. With its bright green waters and thousands of towering limestone karsts, this enchanting bay offers a surreal and magical experience. Embark on a cruise and sail through the stunning landscapes of 1,600 islands and islets, explore hidden caves like the famous Sung Sot Cave, and kayak around the limestone formations. Experiencing a night in a traditional junk boat and witnessing the mesmerizing sunset or sunrise over the bay can be an unforgettable adventure.
Read more: Cambodia Travel Guide: Best Places to See and Amazing Things to Do
Hanoi - Vietnam's Capital City
The vibrant city of Hanoi has century-old architecture and a rich culture. It is a perfect blend of old charm and modern energy. Start your exploration by visiting the historic Old Quarter, where you can wander through narrow streets lined with colorful colonial buildings, traditional shops, and busy markets.
Don't miss the chance to explore the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake and the nearby Ngoc Son Temple. For history enthusiasts, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thiên Trù Pagoda at Hương Temple complex, and the Temple of Literature are must-visit attractions.
Read more: 10 Affordable Travel Destinations Abroad for Eid Holidaymakers
Cambodia Travel Guide: Best Places to See and Amazing Things to Do
Located around the edge of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a country bestowed with natural beauty and archaeological heritage. This small country has a mix of everything from luscious beaches down south to the ethereal jungle temples in the north. It’s a maze of amazements waiting to be explored. Let's take a look at the 10 most amazing tourist attractions in Cambida.
10 Most Popular Tourist Destinations in Cambodia
The Temple of Angkor Wat
It's difficult to find someone who hasn’t heard of the legendary temple of Angkor Wat. This UNESCO world heritage site was built in the 12th Century by the Khmer Empire. There’s a lot to explore other than the main temple of Angkor Wat. The temple of Bayon and Ta Prohm gets a special mention in this regard.
3-month ban on fishing, tourism in Sundarbans begins on June 1
A three-month ban on fishing and tourism in the Sundarbans will start from June 1 to ensure safe breeding and movement of fish and wild animals.
Movement of all types of vessels including boats, fishing trawlers in the rivers and canals as well as the entry of fishermen and honey collectors will remain suspended from June 1 to August 31.
No local for foreign tourists will be allowed to enter the forest during the period.
According to the Forest Department, 251 species of fish release eggs during this monsoon and so fishing will not allowed in the forest.
Read more: Environment Minister for measures to stop deer hunting in Sundarbans
Besides, the ban will be applicable for safe breeding of 315 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles and 42 types of mammals.
The authorities think the breeding by the fish and different species of animals will be obstructed due to sound of operating water vehicles in the water bodies.
No tourists will be allowed to visit the country’s lone wildlife breeding center ‘Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center’ and 11 other tourist spots.
Hawlader Azad Kabir, in-charge of the breeding center, said ignoring the matter of revenue earning the government took the ban initiative to increase beautification of the forest and ensure safe breeding of fish and animals.
Read more: Tourists can’t carry single-use plastics in Sundarbans: Environment Minister
He said tough action will be taken if the restriction is ignored.
Most Popular Cox’s Bazar Beaches Considering Scenic Beauty and Recreation
Cox’s Bazar is a beautiful coastal town in Bangladesh. It is one of the longest sea beaches in Asia. Cox's Bazar has emerged as an attractive tourist destination by virtue of its enchanting natural beauty, sandy beaches, marine drive, hill tracts, local cuisine, as well as various activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, horse riding, etc. Cox’s Bazar boasts a variety of stunning beach areas. Let’s explore some of the most affordable sea beaches in Cox’s Bazar.
8 Popular Beaches in Cox’s Bazar
Patuartek Beach
Located in Cox's Bazar, Patuartek is a serene and peaceful beach that offers a unique experience to visitors. The beach offers a stunning view, with green hills on one side and a wide blue sea on the other.
Bangladesh’s first tourism master plan yet to be formulated, was supposed to be completed last Dec
Bangladesh’s first tourism master plan has not yet been formulated three months after deadline.
Last year, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Md Mahbub Ali, said that the tourism master plan will be completed by December 2022.
“The formulation of the master plan will be completed in December this year and through its implementation, the country’s tourism sector will enter a new era,” he said on October 5, 2022, while speaking at a program on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
As of April 2023, the tourism master plan, however, is yet to be finalized.
Read More: Environment of Cox’s Bazar at stake: Out of over 500, only 4 hotels have own STP
According to civil aviation and tourism ministry sources, the draft of the master plan is ready. It will be finalized once the stakeholders have given their approval.
Kazi Wahidul Alam, editor of the Bangladesh Monitor (a travel trade publication), urged to form the master plan promptly and said, “Only building infrastructure isn’t enough for tourism development. A masterplan should be implemented soon.”
“Issues like visa complication need to be addressed in the master plan,” he said.
Shiblul Azam Koreshi, president of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), said there is no timely tourism development plan like in other countries.
Read More: FBCCI urges policy support in tourism development
“The tourism industry operates in a bureaucratic and chaotic manner. There are no tourism professionals in government-related institutions,” he said.
He called for expanding visa-on-arrival for tourists.
Toufiq Rahman, secretary general of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), asked for better inter-ministerial coordination.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali told UNB that the master plan will be implemented soon.
Read More: Tourism banned indefinitely in Bandarban’s Rowangchhari and Ruma upazilas
“We are taking stakeholders’ feedback. It will be finalized once we are done adjusting their suggestions,” he said.
“If the tourism master plan is implemented, it will contribute 10 percent to the GDP,” he claimed.
“We are considering appointing one of the five additional district commissioners in each district to oversee the tourism sector,” he said.
He also stated that the government is working to make the visa application process easier for tourists.
Read More: Bangladesh International Travel and Tourism Expo draws to close
Bangladesh Tourism Board has signed a 30-year master plan agreement with the international consulting firm IPE Global to develop the country’s tourism sector. The master plan’s development began on January 1, 2020, and was to be completed by June 30, 2020.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not completed on time and was postponed until December 2022. The total contract value, including VAT and AIT, is approximately Tk 28 crore 66 lakh.
China to reopen to tourists, resume all visas Wednesday
China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday as it tries to revive tourism and its economy following a three-year halt during the COVID-19 pandemic.China is one of the last major countries to reopen its borders to tourists. The announcement Tuesday came after it declared a “decisive victory” over COVID-19 in February.
All types of visas will resume from Wednesday. Visa-free entry also will resume at destinations such as Hainan island as well as for cruise ships entering Shanghai that had no visa requirement before COVID-19.
Foreigners holding visas issued before March 28, 2020, that are still valid will be allowed to enter China. Visa-free entry will resume for foreigners entering Guangdong in southern China from Hong Kong and Macao. The notice didn't specify whether vaccination certificates or negative COVID-19 tests would be required, but Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters Tuesday that China had “optimized measures for remote testing of people coming to China from relevant countries," allowing pre-boarding antigen testing instead of nucleic acid testing.
“All these have been well implemented, and the epidemic risk is generally controllable,” Wang said at a daily briefing.
The move would “further facilitate the exchange of Chinese and foreign personnel,” according to the notice posted on the websites of numerous Chinese missions and embassies.
China had stuck to a harsh “zero-COVID” strategy involving sudden lockdowns and daily COVID-19 testing to try to stop the virus before abandoning most aspects of the policy in December amid growing opposition.
The relaxation of visa rules follows China's approval of outbound group tours for Chinese citizens, the results of which have been positive, and the overall improvement in pandemic conditions, Wang said.
“China will continue to make better arrangements for the safe, healthy and orderly movement of Chinese and foreign personnel on the basis of scientific assessments and in light of the situation," he said. “We also hope that all parties will join China in creating favorable conditions for cross-border exchanges."
Reopening embassy will boost trade between Argentina, Bangladesh: Visiting minister hopes
Argentina’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Santiago Andrés Cafiero today (February 28, 2023) hoped that the economic, trade and business collaboration between his country and Bangladesh will get a boost following the reopening of the Argentine embassy in Dhaka.
He expressed the optimism while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban this morning.
PM’s speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
“Argentina is happy to reopen its embassy in Dhaka,” the visiting foreign minister was quoted as saying while extending thanks to Sheikh Hasina for giving the opportunity to reopen the mission in such a short time.
Read More: Bangladesh should go for PTA with Mercosur instead of FTA: Argentine minister
He hoped that economic, trade and business collaboration between the two countries will be enhanced, as well as friendship will be strengthened further with reopening the embassy.
“There is enough scope to enhance cooperation between our two countries,” Cafiero was quoted as saying.
Argentina first opened its embassy in Dhaka in 1974 but it was closed in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the South American country at the time. The Argentina embassy was reopened in Dhaka’s Banani area yesterday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh is very keen to enhance relations with Argentina.
Read: All roads in haor areas will be elevated for unobstructed water flow: PM
“There is huge scope to enhance trade and tourism between Bangladesh and Argentina,” she was quoted.
Argentina can import garments and pharmaceutical items, jute and related products, and leather goods from Bangladesh, she said.
Bangladesh mainly imports edible oil, particularly soybean oil, animal and vegetable fats, seeds, fruits, grains, dairy products, eggs and natural honey.
“We can also collaborate in the fields of sports, education and culture,” she said, seeking cooperation from Argentina for the development of Bangladesh football.
Read More: Latin America-Bangladesh Chamber president meets Argentine business delegate in Dhaka
Sheikh Hasina said the whole world is going through turmoil caused by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, economic sanctions and counter-sanctions.
Not only Bangladesh, but many developed countries are being impacted as prices of food items and inflation have gone up significantly around the world, she said.
In this context, she said that public suffering can be eased through enhancing cooperation and relations among friendly countries.
The PM said Bangladesh has put emphasis on raising food production and setting up 100 special economic zones to generate employment, developing infrastructures and connectivity with neighbouring countries. Now Bangladesh is a marketing hub in South Asia, she added.
Read: President at Mithamain to welcome PM
The visiting Argentine minister said the people of his country are also bearing the brunt of high inflation induced by the Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Talking about climate change, he said relations among the member states of the global south forum can be strengthened to fight the impact.
He praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in fighting climate change.
Appreciating the development of Bangladesh, he said, “We are highly impressed with the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.”
Read More: Bangladesh attractive destination for business, investment: Momen tells Argentine delegation
Noting that this is his first visit here, the Argentine foreign minister said he did not imagine that Bangladesh would be so beautiful.
PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, Secretary (West) at the Foreign Ministry Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury and non-resident Ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh Hugo Gobbi were present.
On Monday, Argentine Foreign Minister Cafiero arrived in Dhaka to inaugurate his country’s new embassy here and deepen trade and cultural relations. Diplomatic operations, such as visas in order to travel, were handled by the Argentine embassy in India until now.
Read More: Argentine FM to hold bilateral talks with Momen in Dhaka Monday
Padma Bridge: Changing lives and landscapes in southwestern Bangladesh
Saiful, who used to be a van-puller, now sells ‘fuchka’ (street food) near the Padma Bridge.
He now earns significantly more than he did previously – thanks to the boom the locality has seen in tourism since the Padma Bridge opened in June 2022. Many day laborers, like Saiful, are taking advantage of the positive change in the area and have gotten involved in the informal tourism – earning a good living.
Apart from the rise in tourists visiting various attractions in the country’s southwestern region – facilitated by the improved communication thanks to the bridge, a large number of people are arriving just to see the Padma Bridge, a modern infrastructure marvel.
Many hotels, restaurants, resorts, and parks have been built near the bridge. Many have changed professions in the hope of earning more.
Also read: 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge: Vehicles coming via Padma Bridge won’t need to enter Dhaka, PM says
Numerous hotels and restaurants have been built in the Naodoba area of Jazira upazila, under Shariatpur district, according to UNB’s Faridpur correspondent. Several tourist attractions have been developed in Faridpur district’s Bhangar Char Rasta Mor, according to him.
“I came here with my daughter because she wanted to see the Padma Bridge,” said Naimul Islam, from Faridpur. “We went to the nearest restaurant after sightseeing.”
AirAsia keen to promote leisure, medical tourism, business travel to Bangladesh
Malaysia-based airline AirAsia is keen to promote leisure and medical tourism as well as business travel to Bangladesh via its extensive network.
A team from AirAsia Group, led by Chief Commercial Officer Karen Chan, is now in Dhaka.
During this visit, AirAsia Wednesday briefed the journalists about its operation in Bangladesh at a city hotel.
Morshedul Alam Chakladar, managing director of Total Air Services Limited (GSA of AirAsia Bangladesh) and Kazi Shah Muzakker Ahmedul Hoque, director of business development, were also present.
AirAsia is now operating four daily flights from Dhaka, three flights to Kuala Lumpur and one to Bangkok.
Read more: Thai AirAsia launches Dhaka-Bangkok flight