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Travel that builds communities

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/08/travel-that-builds-communities.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 15:13 GMT by The Daily Star
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Travel Builds Communities – A Deep Dive into Bangladesh’s Tourism‑Driven Social Renaissance

The Daily Star’s Superbrands Special 2025 supplement opened with a compelling narrative that positions travel not just as an industry, but as a catalyst for community building. In the feature “Travel Builds Communities” (link: https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/superbrands-special-2025/news/travel-builds-communities-4005266), the editors weave together economic data, human stories, and policy analysis to show how Bangladesh’s burgeoning tourism sector is knitting together a tapestry of local livelihoods, cultural pride, and sustainable development.

1. The Economic Engine of Community Prosperity

The article kicks off with a striking fact: Travel and tourism contributed 3.7 % of Bangladesh’s GDP in 2023, a figure that has steadily climbed over the last decade (source: World Travel & Tourism Council, WTTC – 2024 Global Economic Impact Report, link). The piece underscores that this contribution is not abstract; it translates into tangible income for communities that would otherwise be marginalized. According to the WTTC, the sector employed roughly 740,000 people nationwide in 2023, 12 % of whom worked directly in community‑run homestays, local guides, or small-scale hospitality ventures.

The article points to a ripple effect—tourist spending in rural villages generates secondary income for artisans, farmers, and transport operators. One striking illustration is the Sundarbans eco‑tourism cluster in Khulna, where the annual influx of 20,000 international visitors supports over 1,200 families engaged in forest products, boat‑making, and guided canoe trips. The piece links to the Sundarbans Development Authority (link) for deeper statistics.

2. Community Empowerment Through Hospitality

Beyond numbers, the supplement foregrounds personal testimonies that reveal how community‑run hospitality ventures empower residents. An interview with Rezaul Karim, owner of Rupali Homestay in the tribal enclave of Ruma (Rangamati District), paints a vivid picture: “Before tourism, most of our youth went to Dhaka for work. Now, they can earn a living right here, teaching visitors about our customs, and even selling our hand‑woven baskets.” The article notes that Rupali Homestay has received the “Community Tourism Excellence” award from the Bangladesh Tourism Board (link) for its inclusive management model.

Another case study in the piece examines Paharpur Heritage Lodge, where a joint venture between the Department of Archaeology and a local cooperative has turned a historic site into a living classroom. The lodge offers guided tours in both Bengali and English, and the profits are reinvested into conservation efforts and community schools.

3. Policy Foundations: The Tourism Act and Strategic Vision

The supplement delves into the policy framework that underpins these grassroots successes. In 2020, Bangladesh passed the Tourism Act, aimed at creating a conducive environment for private investment and community participation. The article quotes a policy analyst from the Bangladesh Institute of Tourism Development (link) who explains that the Act provides tax incentives for community‑run enterprises and establishes a regulatory body to monitor sustainable practices.

The Tourism Development Strategy 2023‑2033, launched by the Department of Tourism and Culture (link), is highlighted as a blueprint that aligns community development with national growth goals. It focuses on five pillars: heritage preservation, eco‑tourism, community empowerment, digital infrastructure, and quality standards. The supplement shows how these pillars are being implemented at the village level through grant programs, capacity‑building workshops, and public‑private partnerships.

4. Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Resilience

A central theme of the feature is sustainability. The article emphasizes that “travel must do more than bring revenue—it should preserve the very resources that attract visitors.” It cites research from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that indicates Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar beach resort area can sustain tourist numbers if protected by stringent waste‑management protocols (link). Local NGOs such as Green Bangladesh are actively working with hotel operators to install solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, thereby reducing the environmental footprint.

Cultural preservation is also a key narrative. In the Shapla Heritage Festival of Satkhira, a community‑organized event showcases traditional music, dance, and cuisine. The supplement quotes Mira Begum, a local dance instructor: “When tourists come, they’re not just looking for a beach. They come to learn our stories. That’s why we keep them engaged.” The article links to the festival’s official page (link) and shows the measurable increase in community‑run cultural tours, which now account for 15 % of all tourism activities in Satkhira.

5. Challenges on the Horizon

The piece does not shy away from challenges. Infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in rural road networks, limit tourist access to remote sites. Digital connectivity is another hurdle—many community‑run homestays lack reliable internet, making it hard to promote themselves online. The supplement references a recent UNDP report on digital inclusion in Bangladesh (link) that outlines a three‑phase plan to bridge these gaps.

Another concern is ensuring that the benefits of tourism are distributed equitably. The article points out that in some areas, a handful of individuals dominate the hospitality sector, marginalizing smaller households. To combat this, the Bangladesh Tourism Board has introduced a “Community Revenue Share” scheme that mandates a minimum 20 % profit return to local cooperatives (link).

6. Looking Forward: A Call to Action

The feature concludes with a rallying cry: “If we want a resilient, inclusive Bangladesh, we must put communities at the heart of our tourism strategy.” The editors advocate for a multi‑pronged approach that includes:

• Strengthening local capacity through targeted training in hospitality, language skills, and digital marketing.
• Expanding government incentives for community‑run enterprises.
• Investing in sustainable infrastructure, such as eco‑friendly transport and waste‑management systems.
• Promoting community‑based tourism in marketing campaigns, highlighting authentic experiences over mass tourism.

The article also invites readers to support community initiatives by choosing responsible travel options. A dedicated QR code (link) leads to a curated list of vetted community‑run homestays and tour operators across Bangladesh.

Final Reflections

The Daily Star’s “Travel Builds Communities” article is more than a feature—it’s a case study that illustrates how a nation can harness its cultural and natural wealth to empower local people. By marrying economic development with cultural preservation, Bangladesh is setting a benchmark for sustainable tourism that others around the world can emulate.

Readers looking to learn more can explore the linked resources—WTTC’s economic impact report, the Bangladesh Tourism Board’s policy briefs, and the UNWTO’s sustainability guidelines—to deepen their understanding of how travel, when stewarded thoughtfully, becomes a powerful force for community building.