Dhaka, Jan 27 (V7N) — Tourists visiting Bangladesh are expressing frustration over the lack of basic facilities at various tourist destinations, according to Tourist Police Chief Md. Mainul Hasan. He shared this concern during a courtesy meeting with the newly elected executive committee of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) on Monday.

Mainul Hasan stated that tourists, both domestic and foreign, often approach the Tourist Police with complaints stemming from trust, as they struggle to find anyone else to voice their concerns to.

He highlighted several inadequacies, particularly in Cox’s Bazar, the country’s largest tourist hub, including insufficient toilets, changing rooms, and secure storage facilities for personal belongings. Despite these shortcomings, Cox's Bazar continues to attract a significant number of tourists, many of whom leave disappointed due to these issues.

The Tourist Police unit, which began with 600 members, has now grown to 1,400. However, they currently provide security to only 130 of the country’s approximately 1,600 tourist spots, spread across 32 districts.

During the meeting, Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Nadia Farzana presented an overview of the Tourist Police's activities, including patrolling high-traffic tourist areas, assisting mobile courts, and raising awareness among hotel, motel, and resort owners. She also emphasized the need for high-resolution cameras at major tourist locations and specialized vehicles and drones for surveillance and rescue operations.

Mainul Hasan announced plans to establish a Tourist Police booth at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where foreign visitors will receive information about tourist destinations in Bangladesh and police assistance for safe travel.

Senior officials, including Additional DIGs Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain, Md. Iqbal, Bidhan Tripura, and Mohammad Shah Jalal, highlighted the need for increased manpower, removal of legal barriers, and infrastructure development. The Tourist Police currently operates from rented premises on Topkhana Road, and there is an urgent need for dedicated land and infrastructure.

They also stressed the importance of specialized international training for Tourist Police officers to better equip them for their roles.

The ATJFB team, led by President Tanjim Anwar and General Secretary Baten Biplob, expressed their commitment to collaborating with the Tourist Police to address these challenges and enhance the overall tourism experience in Bangladesh.

This initiative underscores the importance of addressing tourist concerns and creating a more welcoming environment to boost the country’s tourism sector.

END/MSS/AJ