Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said a new master plan would be prepared based on the proposals submitted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
File photo of a development project in Cox’s Bazar. Photo: TBS
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File photo of a development project in Cox’s Bazar. Photo: TBS
The government has decided to formulate a new integrated master plan to transform Cox’s Bazar into a modern tourism hub, with a focus on sustainable tourism, smart city development, improved infrastructure and enhanced connectivity.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held today (23 July) at the Finance Division conference room, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, to review the future integrated development plan for Cox’s Bazar district, including its tourism sector, reads a ministry press release.
Speaking at the meeting, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom said the government aims to develop Cox’s Bazar, home to the world’s longest natural sandy sea beach, into a premier tourism destination.
“We want to transform Cox’s Bazar into a tourism hub,” she said, adding that initiatives have already been taken to modernise Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation’s hotels in the district.
The minister also stressed the need to adopt an eco-tourism model for the district’s development and sought cooperation from all stakeholders to implement the vision.
She expressed optimism that the inauguration of Cox’s Bazar International Airport would take place soon, saying the upgraded airport would make the destination more attractive to foreign tourists.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said a new master plan would be prepared based on the proposals submitted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
“The new master plan will transform Cox’s Bazar into a modern tourism hub,” he said.
The meeting also discussed the establishment of visitor points along the Marine Drive and the setting up of a Blue Economy University in Cox’s Bazar.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury directed the authorities concerned to immediately begin preparing a master plan to develop Cox’s Bazar into a smart city by incorporating the proposals put forward by stakeholders.
The meeting was attended by Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, senior officials from the Finance Division, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and other government agencies.
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