[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Tourism

[Saif]

Making tourists' dollars count

Bangladesh Bank (BB) through a circular on Sunday (October 25), has allowed hotels, resorts, restaurants, shopping malls, retail outlets and other establishments to retain up to 15 per cent of their foreign currency receipts from foreign visitors paying through internationally issued cards or other

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Making tourists' dollars count

Bangladesh Bank (BB) through a circular on Sunday (October 25), has allowed hotels, resorts, restaurants, shopping malls, retail outlets and other establishments to retain up to 15 per cent of their foreign currency receipts from foreign visitors paying through internationally issued cards or other approved instruments. The remaining 85 per cent must be encashed in taka. This appears to be a routine adjustment to the central bank's foreign exchange regulations. But in an economy where every dollar earned or spent is a matter of concern, this decision deserves closer attention. For its implications extend beyond the balance sheets of the establishments concerned.

Notably, these are not exporters shipping goods abroad. They earn foreign currency by providing services or selling goods to visitors. A hotel accommodating a guest, for instance, may receive payment by international card. Earlier, those receipts had to be encashed in local currency. Now, part of the proceeds may remain in the hotel's foreign currency (FC) account with an authorized dealer (AD) bank. The retained money, however, cannot be spent at will. Its use is limited to legitimate foreign exchange obligations arising from current account transactions. What practical difference will that make? Consider a resort paying an overseas booking service or a hotel settling permissible expenses through its international card. It would be rather cumbersome if the establishment converted all its foreign currency earnings into taka and then had to purchase dollars afresh from a bank for those expenses. Repeated conversion may entail costs. In that case, allowing merchants to retain a portion of their earnings in hard currency is a sensible move. It gives them operational flexibility without permitting their earnings to escape the banking system.

However, one should not mistake this arrangement for a measure that will immediately increase dollar supply in the domestic foreign exchange market. In fact, the opposite may happen initially. Since up to 15 per cent of eligible receipts can remain in FC accounts instead of being encashed, that portion is not immediately liquidated. The rest, or 85 per cent, will be converted into taka. So, how does the economy benefit? The answer lies less in dollars sold today than in how much can be attracted to the formal banking system over time.The real benefit of this relaxation will be in encouraging businesses to bring more foreign currency earnings into the formal banking system rather than looking for easier options outside it. For when banking is inconvenient, some businesses may be tempted to use the kerb market or informal hundi channels. Such transactions deprive banks of foreign exchange and evade scrutiny. By incentivizing international card payments, BB is trying to make formal transactions more attractive.

There is also the question of developing the country's tourism economy. Going by Bangladesh Tourism Board figures, foreign visitor arrivals, including business travellers, dropped to 585,145 in 2025 from 633,094 in the preceding year. Easier foreign currency transactions may encourage local businesses to welcome more international visitors. But should anyone expect a banking circular alone to draw tourists in droves? Certainly not. Poor visitor facilities cannot be remedied by relaxing banking rules. However, this facility must not turn into another loophole for misuse. The AD banks have been asked to ensure deduction and payment of applicable taxes and value-added tax (VAT), proper overseas card acceptance facilities and compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) rules. These safeguards are necessary. But that should not mean creating bureaucratic hurdles that defeat the purpose of the relaxation. Banks need to be able to distinguish genuine international transactions from regulatory evasions.

BB's decision is a welcome departure from restrictive foreign exchange management. Similar practical relaxations should be considered for businesses in international trade, hospitality and entertainment, subject to oversight. The government, too, needs to improve tourism infrastructure and visitor services. For foreign currency cannot be earned simply by changing the rules for keeping it. There must first be more foreign visitors willing to come here and spend their dollars.​

 

[Saif]

Tourist sailings to St Martin’s miss Nov 1 start as clearances remain pending

Tourist transport services to St Martin's Island are set to miss the Nov 1 starting date due to delays in obtaining required clearances and approvals. The development was shared on Thursday after a discussion meeting on tourism management and safety, held at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tourist sailings to St Martin’s miss Nov 1 start as clearances remain pending

Tourist transport services to St Martin's Island are set to miss the Nov 1 starting date due to delays in obtaining required clearances and approvals.

The development was shared on Thursday after a discussion meeting on tourism management and safety, held at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Cox’s Bazar.

The government has introduced new conditions for tourist vessels to St Martin’s Island to protect its fragile ecosystem and ensure passenger safety, prompting the delay in clearances and services.

Hossainul Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said once all formalities are completed, it may be possible for the vessels to begin operations by Nov 4 or 5.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted in-principle approval for three tourist vessels to operate on the route from Cox’s Bazar’s Nuniarchhara to St Martin's Island.

The relevant authorities must now complete the necessary procedures to finalise the operational schedules and issue route permits for these vessels.

The issue of ensuring safety at tourist destinations gained renewed attention following recent fire incidents at the TUPTUP Resto & Resort in Patuartek, and The Sea Princess Hotel at Sugandha Point, Cox’s Bazar.

In response, the district administration organised this meeting.

Following the meeting, Mutasim Billah Farooqui, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, said the concerned parties are vigilant in ensuring that there are no deviations from the conditions set by the government for travel to St Martin's Island.

He further mentioned that a website, managed by the Tourism Board, will be launched to allow tourists to register for their trips to St Martin's Island starting from Nov 1.

3 Vessels to Carry 2,298 Passengers

Applications for three vessels to operate on the St Martin's Island route this season are being processed, according to a letter from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and information from relevant stakeholders.

The vessels are the MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Baro Aulia and MV Teknaf, with a combined capacity of 2,298 passengers.

The letter requires the vessels to comply with the Eco-friendly Tourism Guidelines-2023 and conditions set by the environment ministry.

BIWTA will issue schedules and route permits once the Department of Environment grants clearance.

Under government regulations, a maximum of 3,500 tourists can visit St Martin's Island daily. If the combined passenger capacity of additional vessels exceeds this limit, a rotation system will be introduced to transport the passengers.

Vessel Operations Await Final Approvals

Bahadur said applications had been submitted to the Department of Shipping and other relevant authorities to operate vessels this season. Three vessels have received environmental clearance, while applications for seven others remain under review.

The approved vessels are ready to operate, but some administrative formalities remain after environmental clearance. Bahadur said the process could take a few more days and vessel operations could begin around Nov 4 or 5 once all procedures are completed.

SM Anik Chowdhury, Teknaf's Upazila executive officer, also acknowledged delays in obtaining the necessary clearances.

An online ticketing system for tourists will be launched once all approvals and formalities are completed, he said.

Environmental Clearance Made Mandatory

The government has made environmental clearance compulsory for all tourist vessels operating to and from St Martin's Island.

Under directives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, neither BIWTA nor the Department of Shipping can authorise vessel operations without the ministry's approval.

The initiative aims to protect the island's fragile environment and biodiversity while regulating tourism.

However, as vessel services did not begin on the scheduled opening date of the tourism season, prospective visitors will have to wait a few more days.​

 

[Saif]

Why tourists cannot travel to Saint Martin’s Island on 1 November

Tourists were set to start travelling to Saint Martin’s Island on Sunday, November 1 as per the government decision. However, the movement of tourist vessels will not begin on the scheduled date as they have not received the necessary approvals. Shipowners say vessel operations may begin on 5 or...

en.prothomalo.com

Why tourists cannot travel to Saint Martin’s Island on 1 November

Staff Correspondent

Cox’s Bazar

Rows of fishing boats in the sea off St Martin’s Island.Sourav Das/File photo

Tourists were set to start travelling to Saint Martin’s Island on Sunday, 1 November, as per the government decision. However, the movement of tourist vessels will not begin on the scheduled date as they have not received the necessary approvals. Shipowners say vessel operations may begin on 5 or 6 November.

Tourist vessels operate to Saint Martin’s from the BIWTA (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority) jetty at Nuniachhara on the Bankkhali River in Cox’s Bazar town.

The island is about 120 kilometres from Nuniachhara, and the entire journey is made through the Bay of Bengal.

According to information from the district administration and the Department of Environment, a decision on tourist travel to Saint Martin’s was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 12 October this year.

Later, a notification issued on 25 October retained the conditions imposed the previous year. Under those conditions, tourists were allowed to visit the island and return on the same day in November, while overnight stays were permitted in December and January. This created confusion among tourists, hotel and restaurant owners, and shipowners.

Later, a revised gazette was issued on 27 October, amending the previous decision. The gazette, signed by Sabrina Rahman, senior assistant secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, allowed tourists to visit and stay overnight on Saint Martin’s from 1 November, 2026, to 15 March 2027.

It also stated that a maximum of 3,500 tourists would be allowed on the island each day.

Vessel operations delayed

Hossain Islam, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, an organisation of shipowners operating vessels to Saint Martin’s, told Prothom Alo that operating the vessels requires clearance from the Ministry of Environment, approval from the Department of Shipping, a route permit from the BIWTA and approval from the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner.

However, the approval process has not yet been completed. The software that the Bangladesh Tourism Board was supposed to launch to collect tourists’ information is also not ready yet. As a result, it will not be possible to operate vessels from 1 November. Preparations are underway to start operations on 5 or 6 November, he added.

Fayezul Islam, acting chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, said several thousand residents of the island had been excited by the announcement that Saint Martin’s would open to tourists from 1 November.

According to him, more than 230 hotels, resorts, cottages and restaurants had been prepared to accommodate tourists staying overnight. However, vessel operations will not begin on 1 November as the tourist ships have not received the necessary approvals. Some say services will begin between 5 and 7 November, while others say 15 November.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan said the administration had taken strict measures to ensure the safety of tourists visiting Saint Martin’s and staying in Cox’s Bazar.

Saint Martin's Island tourism: Season opens with 1,174 traveling on first day

Asked about the matter, he told Prothom Alo that although Saint Martin’s Island would open to tourists from 1 November, permission would be granted to vessels only after their fitness and safety were ensured.

He further said a meeting between the administration and shipowners is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, where a specific date for the resumption of vessel operations will be finalised.

The DC also said tourists would not be allowed to travel to Saint Martin’s by waterway from Teknaf, Shah Porir Dwip or Ukhia. The only way to reach the island would be aboard government-approved vessels, with tourists required to register online.

A fire broke out on a tourist vessel last year. To prevent a similar incident this year, the relevant authorities are inspecting the fitness of the vessels. Permission to operate will be granted after all aspects have been examined, he said.​

 

[Saif]

Can Bangladesh become the next big global tourism player?

Bangladesh has immense tourism potential, with rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts, contemporary art and natural wonders, yet remains largely overlooked by international travellers.

www.thedailystar.net

Can Bangladesh become the next big global tourism player?

Se-Woong Koo

 

[Saif]

Tourists flock to Cheradia despite restrictions, raising biodiversity concerns

Tourists are prohibited from visiting Cheradia, located at the southern tip of Saint Martin’s Island. Despite the restriction, however, tourists continue to visit the area every day. Some walk, while others travel by easy-bikes (locally known as tomtoms), motorcycles or bicycles to the...

en.prothomalo.com

Tourists flock to Cheradia despite restrictions, raising biodiversity concerns

Abdul Kuddus

Cox's Bazar

Defying restrictions, tourists on motorcycles head to Cheradia from the Diyar Matha area of Saint Martin’s Island. Last Wednesday afternoon Collected

Tourists are prohibited from visiting Cheradia, located at the southern tip of Saint Martin’s Island. Despite the restrictions, however, tourists continue to visit the area every day. Some walk, while others travel by easy-bikes (locally known as tomtoms), motorcycles or bicycles to the Madhyardia area of the island before proceeding to Cheradia.

As a result of these visits, red crabs, snails and clams living on the island’s sandy beaches are being crushed underfoot and by vehicles. Coral, algae and various other forms of biodiversity are also being damaged.

Although volunteers from the Department of Environment are working to regulate tourist movement, their limited numbers have made it increasingly difficult for them to manage the situation.

After travelling approximately 120 kilometres by sea from Cox’s Bazar town, tourist vessels arrive at the jetty of Saint Martin’s Island. As passengers disembark and step onto the jetty, they hear warnings broadcast by the Department of Environment over loudspeakers.

The announcement says: “Saint Martin’s Island is an ecologically critical area. Collecting coral, algae, snails, shells and stones is strictly prohibited. Visiting the ecologically vulnerable Cheradia is prohibited. Making loud noises on the beach and littering with plastic are also prohibited.

Please do not gather for late-night outings, as this may disturb sea turtles laying their eggs. Do not enter the keya forests or pluck their fruits. Do not drive easy-bikes or tomtoms onto the sandy beach. Do not dispose of plastic or other waste indiscriminately. And do not enter the water if you cannot swim.”

Saint Martin’s is a coral-rich island covering an area of approximately eight square kilometres in the Bay of Bengal. In 1999, the government declared the entire island an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) to protect its biodiversity, marine corals and turtle breeding grounds.

Under the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, activities that damage the environment are prohibited in this area. Most recently, in January 2023, the Ministry of Environment declared a 1,743-square-kilometre area of the Bay of Bengal surrounding Saint Martin’s a Marine Protected Area.

Under the law, collecting coral and stones, destroying keya forests, cutting trees and plucking fruits, and dumping environmentally harmful waste are prohibited on Saint Martin’s Island. Violations can carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 1 million.

The government has decided to keep Saint Martin’s Island open to tourists from 1 November to 15 March. During this period, a maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit the island and stay overnight each day. However, tourist vessels began operating on 5 November. Currently, an average of 2,000 tourists travel to and from the island daily on three vessels.

The government has issued 12-point guidelines for tourists, imposing various restrictions to protect the island’s biodiversity. However, concerns have emerged over the environment and ecosystem because these guidelines are not being properly enforced on the ground.

How tourists get to Cheradia
A recent visit to the island revealed that many tourists head straight to hotels and resorts after disembarking from their vessels. Some travel by easy-bikes or tomtoms to the western beach, while others have lunch at restaurants before exploring the eastern and northern beaches.

In the morning, some tourists staying overnight at hotels and resorts set off for Diyar Matha Beach in the southern part of the island on easy-bikes, rented motorcycles and bicycles. From there, some walk to Cheradia via Madhyardia, while others make the journey by tomtom, motorcycle or bicycle.

During a visit to Diyar Matha Beach last Thursday morning, four volunteers from the Department of Environment were found stationed there, urging tourists not to proceed to Cheradia. Red flags had also been put up along a stretch of approximately half a kilometre of the beach. However, many tourists were ignoring these instructions.

Abdul Aziz further said that 10 volunteers from the Department of Environment were working to protect biodiversity and regulate tourist movement. Of them, four were stationed at the jetty, four at Diyar Matha and two at the island’s eastern beach. However, it was not possible to manage such a large number of tourists with such a small workforce.

Easy-bikes ply the beach of Saint Martin’s Island in Cox’s Bazar. Photo taken last Wednesday Collected

Khandaker Mahmud Pasha, deputy director of the Department of Environment in Cox’s Bazar, told Prothom Alo that tourists head towards Cheradia as soon as they disembark on Saint Martin’s Island. When stopped, many behave aggressively. Some tourists conceal snails and shells inside plastic bottles and carry them away. Such items are being recovered every day. However, fines cannot be imposed at present. Discussions have been held with the deputy commissioner and Coast Guard officials on various issues, including appointing magistrates to conduct mobile court operations.

Khandaker Mahmud Pasha said they were also concerned about tourists’ reckless behaviour and harmful activities. Some owners of resorts and cottages on the island dump garbage and waste directly into the sea instead of storing it properly. They have been given verbal warnings, and written undertakings have also been obtained from several of them. However, attempts to stop easy-bikes from operating have faced resistance.

According to the Department of Environment, more than 230 hotels, resorts and cottages have been built in different parts of the island without environmental clearance. Loud generator noise can be heard at these establishments until late at night. Artificial lighting at night is also feared to disrupt the breeding activities of sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs.

According to the department, the island is home to 1,076 species of biodiversity, including corals, algae, turtles, snails, shells, marine fish, birds and crabs. However, the movement of more than 100 battery-powered easy-bikes and motorcycles has increased across different parts of the island. Red crabs, snails and shells on the sandy beaches are being crushed and killed under the wheels of these vehicles.

12 guidelines being ignored

After 5 August 2024, the interim government restricted tourist access to Saint Martin’s Island. At the time, tourists were allowed to stay overnight in January and February, but in November they had to visit and return on the same day. A maximum of 2,000 tourists were permitted to visit the island.

Over the past two tourist seasons, 237,000 people visited Saint Martin’s—less than half the number recorded previously. Environmental activists claimed that the decline in tourist numbers had brought positive changes to the island’s environment.

After tourist access remained suspended for nine consecutive months, the government allowed up to 3,500 tourists a day to visit and stay overnight during the current season, from 1 November to 15 March. However, with the increase in tourist numbers, reckless movement and inadequate monitoring have made it increasingly difficult to enforce the government’s guidelines.

Carrying polythene bags is not allowed. The use of single-use plastic products is discouraged, including packets of chips, plastic spoons, straws, miniature soap and shampoo packets, and plastic bottles.

Ibrahim Khalil, chief executive of the Cox’s Bazar chapter of the environmental organisation Youth Environment Society (YES), said the nine-month suspension of tourist visits had brought significant improvements to Saint Martin’s environment and ecosystem.

He warned that the growing influx of tourists and the failure to properly enforce restrictions could destroy the mangrove forests, keya forests, coral and algae that had regenerated over the past two tourist seasons.

Former Saint Martin’s Union Parishad chairmen Nur Ahmed and Mujibur Rahman said keya forests and coconut trees act as natural barriers protecting the island from storms and tidal surges. Their survival is now under threat. The destruction of keya forests has caused beach dunes to collapse and coconut trees to be uprooted.

Rope barriers have been set up in the Diyar Matha area to prevent tourists from travelling to Cheradia, and red flags have been put up as warnings. Despite these measures, tourists continue to cross the barriers and make their way to Cheradia. Photo taken last Wednesday Collected

Hossain Islam, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, an organisation of tourist vessel owners operating on the Saint Martin’s route, said tourists are reminded to follow the government’s 12-point guidelines when boarding and disembarking from vessels.

However, he said restrictions also need to be strictly enforced on Saint Martin’s Island itself.

The government’s 12-point guidelines include several restrictions aimed at protecting the island’s environment and biodiversity. Lighting fires or using lights on the beach at night, making excessive noise and organising barbecue parties are prohibited.

Visitors are not allowed to enter keya forests, collect or trade keya fruits, or harm any form of biodiversity, including sea turtles, birds, corals, king crabs, snails and shells. Motorcycles, beach bikes and all other motorised vehicles are prohibited from operating on the beach. Travel to Cheradia is also prohibited.

In addition, carrying polythene bags is not allowed. The use of single-use plastic products is discouraged, including packets of chips, plastic spoons, straws, miniature soap and shampoo packets, and plastic bottles with capacities of 500 millilitres and one litre.

Commenting on the overall situation, Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Ab. Mannan said the administration was taking a firm stance on enforcing the government’s 12 directives to protect Saint Martin’s biodiversity. The movement of tourists was being monitored regularly. Legal and administrative measures were also being taken to ensure that no tourists could enter Cheradia​

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/424530/pm-likely-to-unveil-tourism-master-plan-next-month

PM likely to unveil tourism master plan next month

The plan covers nearly 1,500 tourism attractions and aims to begin implementation in January 2027

File photo of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Photo: Collected

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to unveil Bangladesh's long-awaited National Tourism Master Plan in December, paving the way for implementing a comprehensive development strategy covering nearly 1,500 tourism attractions from January next year.

Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui disclosed the development, saying the government was preparing to launch the master plan during the proposed Bangladesh Festival in Dhaka.

The five-day festival is tentatively scheduled for December 27-31, although the final program and the Prime Minister's participation are yet to be officially confirmed.

"We expect to submit the master plan to the ministry in the first week of December. If we can complete the finalization process and secure approval from the National Tourism Council, we aim to begin implementation in January," Faruqui said.

He said the BTB expected to receive the reviewed master plan from the review committee by November 30 before forwarding it to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism for further approval.

The BTB chief expressed optimism that the remaining formalities could be completed in time for the prime minister to formally unveil the document at the Bangladesh Festival.

The proposed announcement would mark a major milestone for Bangladesh's tourism industry, which has been awaiting a comprehensive national development blueprint since the master plan initiative began in 2019.

The process suffered repeated delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, administrative complications and subsequent reviews during the past regimes.

According to the executive summary of the National Tourism Master Plan, the document outlines a long-term development roadmap for 2024-2041, aiming to transform Bangladesh into a competitive, sustainable tourism destination.

The plan identifies approximately 1,498 tourism resources across the country's eight administrative divisions and proposes coordinated development of infrastructure, tourism products, destination management, marketing and human resources.

It sets ambitious targets of attracting 5.58 million tourists and generating 21.94 million employment opportunities by 2041.

The blueprint proposes developing beach, ecotourism, cultural, heritage, religious, adventure, riverine, rural, cruise and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism.

It also recommends introducing electronic visas, improving tourist safety, strengthening destination management and expanding public-private partnerships to attract investment.

A major recommendation is to strengthen tourism institutions through regional training centers, destination management organizations and dedicated tourism development bodies.

Faruqui said the government intended to begin implementing priority activities from January 2027, subject to the necessary approvals.

He stressed that implementing the master plan would go beyond constructing hotels, resorts and other physical infrastructure.

"Our objective is to start implementing the activities outlined in the master plan from January," he said.

Initial activities could include destination promotion, consultations with tourism businesses, community engagement and coordination among government agencies and private-sector stakeholders.

The master plan also proposes an implementation framework identifying responsible institutions, financing options, project priorities and monitoring mechanisms.

It recommends early priority projects, investment incentives and public-private partnerships to accelerate tourism development.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament that the government is preparing a comprehensive tourism master plan to make tourism a major contributor to economic growth, employment generation and poverty reduction.

He said the government had identified tourism as a priority sector and would implement development projects in phases under the master plan.

The prime minister also outlined plans to develop international-standard hotels and tourism facilities on Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation-owned land in Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and Khulna.

In Cox's Bazar, the government has identified 132.44 acres of land for tourism development under public-private partnership arrangements.

A modern tourism training institute is also being developed at the Motel Laboni compound to strengthen the country's hospitality workforce.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat subsequently told parliament that the government was finalizing an integrated master plan covering approximately 1,498 tourism sites.

He said work had also begun on formulating the National Tourism Policy 2026, alongside initiatives to promote community-based tourism, strengthen tourist security and improve tourism-sector data.

Tourism industry stakeholders have repeatedly called for the master plan's early implementation, stressing that Bangladesh's tourism potential cannot be fully realized without coordinated investment, professional destination management and improved visitor services.

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President Mohammed Hanif. has emphasized stronger tourism institutions, professional training and policy support.

Former TOAB President Md Rafeuzzaman has advocated improving visitor experiences and service quality alongside infrastructure development.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Bangladesh Chapter Secretary General Taufiq Rahman has also stressed private-sector participation, effective destination management and coordinated implementation.

He said the master plan should place considerable emphasis on community participation, environmental sustainability, tourism marketing and improved connectivity.​