Home / Archive / Vol.1 No.1 (2025)/Article

Analysing the Scope for Accessible Tourism in Bangladesh: The Role of Bangladesh Tourism Board and Beyond

Keywords

Abstract

Accessible tourism is a comparatively new concept that is gaining popularity worldwide. In a developing country like Bangladesh, tourism industry can play a significant role in the economic development. This report examines the scope for accessible tourism in Bangladesh and the pivotal role of the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) in fostering its development. Accessible tourism, aimed at ensuring inclusive travel experiences for individuals with disabilities and other diverse needs, holds significant potential for enhancing the country's tourism sector. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of current practices, the study highlights the existing landscape of accessible tourism in world as well as in Bangladesh, identifying key challenges, opportunities, and best practices. It underscores the importance of government agencies, particularly the BTB, in spearheading initiatives to promote accessibility across tourism destinations, accommodations, transportation, and services. Furthermore, the report explores the feedback from the disabled people to draw upon insights from their community perspectives. In order to perform the assigned study, 30 people with certain disabilities are chosen and being interviewed through a set of questionnaires to find out their aspects regarding accessible tourism in Bangladesh. Their answers are then analyzed to find out important insights that need attention from the government agencies for the inclusive development of the tourism industry. By prioritizing accessible tourism and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, Bangladesh can unlock new avenues for inclusive growth, economic development, and social inclusion within its tourism sector. Based on the study and results, conclusions and policy implications have been recommended. While preparing the paper all the reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and quality of the paper

References

• Access Bangladesh Foundation (2018). Available at: https://www.accessbangladesh.org/ (Accessed: 13 May 2024). 
• Darcy, S., Cameron, B. and Schweinsberg, S. (2012) ‘accessible tourism in Australia’, Best Practice in Accessible Tourism, pp. 79–113. doi:10.21832/9781845412548-011. 
• Michopoulou, E. and Buhalis, D. (2010) ‘stakeholder analysis of accessible tourism’, Accessible Tourism, pp. 260–273. doi:10.21832/9781845411626-019. 
• Müller, L. (2012) ‘Accessible tourism in Sweden: Experiences, stakeholders, marketing’, Best Practice in Accessible Tourism, pp. 157–167. doi:10.21832/9781845412548-015. 
• Neumann, P. (2012) ‘accessible tourism for all in Germany’, Best Practice in Accessible Tourism, pp. 46–54. doi:10.21832/9781845412548-008. 
• Promoting universal accessibility in tourism (2016) The Financial Express. Available at: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/opinions/promoting-universal-accessibilities-in-tourism (Accessed: 13 May 2024). 
• Rhodda, S. (2012) ‘accessible tourism in New Zealand’, Best Practice in Accessible Tourism, pp. 114–124. doi:10.21832/9781845412548-012. 
• Saleem, S., & Shahul Hameedu, M. (2013). Foreign Direct Investment and Accessible Tourism in India. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3545725
• Sun, D. (2020) Barrier-free tourism for people with disabilities, The daily Sun. Available at: https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/464651 (Accessed: 13 May 2024). 
• Tveitan, B.S. (2012) ‘VISITOSLO, Norway: Supporting accessible tourism content within Destination Tourism Marketing’, Best Practice in Accessible Tourism, pp. 297–309. doi:10.21832/9781845412548-024. 
• World Report on Disability. (2011). https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/world-report-on-disability
• United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (no date) National Disability Authority. Available at: https://nda.ie/disability-policy/uncrpd (Accessed: 13 May 2024). 
• Chavan, R., & Bhola, S. S. (2014, March 21). World Wide Tourism: A Review. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2412824
• Chavan, R., & Bhola, S. S. (2015, April 3). Indian Tourism Market: An Overview of Emerging Trends and Development. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2589488
• Wee, S., & Sanmargaraja, S. (2016, January 4). Accessible Information Required by the Independent Disabled Tourists: A Mini Review. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2790219
• 2.8% of total population have disabilities: BBS. (2022, December 27). The Business Standard. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/28-total-population-have-disabilities-bbs-558590