New master plan to transform Cox's Bazar into modern tourism hub

Dhaka: The government has decided to formulate a new integrated master plan to transform Cox's Bazar into a modern tourism hub, with plans focusing on sustainable tourism, smart city development, improved infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity.

The decision came at a high-level meeting on July 23 chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury at the Finance Division conference room to review the future integrated development plan for Cox's Bazar District, including its tourism sector, according to a press release from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

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 hub.

"We want to transform Cox's Bazar into a tourism hub," the minister said, adding that the government has already taken initiatives to modernize the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation's hotels in the district.

She also called for adopting an eco-tourism model for the development of Cox's Bazar and sought cooperation from all stakeholders to realize the vision.

The minister 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 in line with the proposals made by the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

"The new master plan will transform Cox's Bazar into a modern tourism hub," he said.

The meeting also discussed establishing visitor points along Marine Drive road and setting up a Blue Economy University in Cox's Bazar.

At the end of the meeting, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury directed the authorities concerned to immediately begin preparing a master plan for developing Cox's Bazar into a smart city by incorporating the proposals submitted 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 Mintoo, along with senior officials of the Finance Division, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and other government agencies.