The domestic tourism market is showing signs of significant rise with around 70 lakh tourists visiting various destinations in the country each every year. The number of domestic tourist has reached around 65 to 70 lakh by the end of 2017, which was around 3 to 5 lakh in 2000, according to Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka.

Masuda M Rashid Chowdhury, researcher and professor of Dhaka University, said if the necessary policy is taken to attract tourist, the number of domestic tourist will increase to 1 crore within next 5 to 6 years.

Beaches and hills remain the two foremost attractions to the local tourists. Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest sea beach and a place of unparalleled natural beauty situated in the hilly region of Chittagong, is a favourite destination of domestic tourists.

Sylhet is the third most attractive place for them. Traditionally, the place used to draw religious tourists because the Hazrat Shah Jalal and Hazrat Shah Paran shrines are located in the region. Besides, Sylhet is also known of its natural beauty.

Tourism researchers say it is important to keep up the flow of domestic tourists. If the flow drops, the tourism market may collapse.

They also stress better infrastructure and communication to increase the domestic tourist flow.

Employment opportunities in the tourism industry have also reportedly increased along with an expansion of the domestic tourism market.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), around 1.5 million people directly and 2.3 million in all are involved in the Bangladesh tourism industry.

According to tour operators and owners of hotels and motels, around 60 per cent of the domestic travellers visit Cox’s Bazar.

The rest usually visit Chittagong, Sylhet, the Sundarbans, and some tourist spots in North Bengal. Cox’s Bazar is famous for its long and natural sandy sea beach.

Masud Hossain, managing director of Bengal Tours told The Independent, “My personal information is that around 65 lakh tourists move across country every year. The number could be more but not less.”

Explaining the phenomenon, Masud said, “I have collected this data from various hotels, motels and resorts around the country. As a result, the chances of a lesser number of tourists travelling in the country are remote. In fact, the number could be more.”

According to Masud’s information, other than Cox’s Bazar, 25–30 lakh tourists travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts every year, while the number varies between 8–10 lakh in case of Sylhet.

Some 2 to 2.5 lakh tourists visit places in North Bengal, centering around Mahas-thangarh, every year, adds Masud.

Stability of the domestic tourism market and the industry’s sustainable growth are vital, says Dhaka University Professor Syed Rashidul Hasan, adding that the government should lay emphasis on this sector.

He told The Independent that the growth being currently witnessed in the domestic tourism market did not happen overnight. The market had been growing gradually after 2000.

According to Prof. Hasan’s data, there were around 3–5 lakh domestic tourists in 2000, which has crossed the half a crore mark at present. The number of tourists could exceed a crore in future.

He finds this growing trend positive. The accommodation service is also reported to be developing around tourism spots, especially in Cox’s Bazar, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Sylhet.

 Prof Hasan, who has been working on the tourism industry for over three decades, said ensuring communication services and reducing traffic problems were crucial for the development of this sector. It was important to cut down travel time and ensure easy accessibility for travellers. Security issues, too, needed to be addressed, he felt.