ILO plan calls for sustainable tourism shift in Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar : Cox's Bazar needs to shift away from tourism growth driven primarily by rising visitor numbers and toward a more sustainable model that protects the environment, improves visitor experiences and creates greater economic opportunities for local communities, according to a new publication by the International Labor Organization.

The Destination Development Plan for Cox's Bazar (2025-2027), published by the International Labor Office in 2025, lays out a three-year roadmap for transforming Bangladesh's best-known beach destination into a more sustainable, inclusive and well-managed tourism hub.

The publication was produced by Enroute International Limited as part of the ILO's Leaving No One Behind: Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox's Bazar (ISEC) project. The project received financial support from Global Affairs Canada.

The plan was prepared by Md. Sarowar Jahan Mithu, consultant for sustainable tourism development, and Shakil Ahmed, junior consultant.

Md. Ibrahim Khalil Bhuiyan, team leader at Enroute International Limited, and Intijamul Islam, deputy team leader, were part of the editorial and operations team.

New direction for tourism

The plan proposes six broad strategic objectives covering tourism governance, infrastructure and safety, environmental sustainability, skills and enterprise development, and destination branding and digital innovation.

It prioritizes eight destinations for targeted interventions.

The recommendations were developed through stakeholder consultations, interviews, surveys, focus group discussions and field research involving government agencies, businesses, communities and other stakeholders.

The report says domestic tourism accounts for more than 98 percent of tourism revenue in Cox's Bazar.

During the October-April peak season, about two million tourists visit the destination, while domestic arrivals increased from 1.2 million in 2015 to roughly 3 million in 2023.

Environmental pressure grows

Rapid tourism growth has placed increasing pressure on the district's natural and coastal environments.

The plan recommends visitor registration and digital entry systems in two ecological zones, carrying-capacity assessments in three biodiversity areas and the development of eco-friendly tourism products.

It also proposes waste bins and signage at eight sites, regular cleanup campaigns and a regional recycling plant.

A pilot "Green Entry Fee" at a protected site is also proposed, with revenues intended to support conservation and site maintenance.

The report points to Himchari as an example of the challenges created by heavy visitor pressure.

The popular site can receive about 5,000 visitors a day during peak season and as many as 6,000 on holidays.

Poor waste disposal, inadequate facilities, littering and a lack of carrying-capacity management are among the concerns identified in the plan.

Women, youth at center

The ILO publication places particular emphasis on creating better economic opportunities for women and young people.

The plan proposes 500 short-term hospitality job placements and aims for women to account for at least half of the beneficiaries.

It also calls for skills development, entrepreneurship opportunities and stronger links between local businesses and the tourism value chain.

The report identifies barriers facing women, including limited access to training and finance, social restrictions, unsafe workplaces and inadequate childcare facilities.

It recommends stronger gender-responsive policies and greater participation by women in tourism businesses and decision-making.

Safety, local governance

Visitor safety is another major component of the plan.

It proposes training 50 community youth as "Tourist Safety Volunteers," deploying Tourist Police in three destinations and installing 16 safety and zoning signboards.

The plan also calls for the reactivation of beach management committees.

To improve coordination, the plan places the District Tourism Development Committee at the center of destination management, bringing together government agencies, police, health and local government officials, as well as representatives from hotels, transport operators and tourism businesses.

Implementation crucial

The plan's success will ultimately depend on implementation.

It calls for quarterly monitoring, annual reviews, a midterm evaluation at the end of 2026 and a final evaluation at the end of 2027.

The publication argues that Cox's Bazar's tourism future should not be measured simply by how many people visit.

Instead, success should be judged by the quality of visitor experiences, protection of the destination's natural resources and the extent to which tourism generates decent work and inclusive economic opportunities for local communities.