303 1.0 Introduction Chapter 42 Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism 1.1 The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is responsible for ensuring safe, orderly and expeditious operation of international and domestic air traffic within the territorial air space and developing tourism infrastructure in order to popularize tourist products of Bangladesh. The major functions of this ministry include formulation and implementation of laws, policies and guidelines relating to civil aviation and tourism. The ultimate objective is to contribute to the national economy through creation of employment and facilitating international trade and commerce. 1.2 To keep pace with the growing demand of the international passengers from Bangladesh, a well-developed aviation infrastructure and facilities are needed. Bangladesh is currently one of the top ten remittance earning countries in the world. The international airports of the country need to handle huge number of expatriate Bangladeshis as well as a lot of foreigners coming in for trade and tourism. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has taken a number of projects and programs to modernize all the three International and six domestic airports. Expansion and modernizations of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet has been completed. Up gradation work of Cox s Bazar Airport is going on to meet the future demand of international and local tourists coming to the world s largest sandy beach. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport Project has been taken to build a world class airport which is also a target of Vision-2021. 1.3 Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is commercially operating 39 tourism infrastructures in the country. It has also planned to build motels in Chittagong beach area, Rangamati, Jaflong and Sona Masjid. The Government has taken an initiative to develop new tourism infrastructures under Public Private Partnership (PPP). Two projects, namely, setting up of an Exclusive Tourist Zone at Teknaf and a 5 Star Beach Hotel along with 18 Hole Golf Course are going to be constructed at Cox s Bazar. Constructions of a motel, a youth hostel and a Buddhist Temple have already been completed at Kuakata Beach point. 1.4 With an aim of attracting more international tourists, Bangladesh Tourism Board has implemented Visit Bangladesh Campaign in June 2011. Two TV commercials of international standard were prepared and aired throughout
304 the world during ICC World Cup 2011. The board also took part in 11 international fairs as part of promotional activities. Publicity bill boards were set up at various air ports and important places of the country. 1.5 In the Sixth Five Year Plan (SFYP), the goal has been set up to enhance contribution of Tourism sub sector in the GDP from 0.69 to 2 percent. Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has formulated Bangladesh Tourism Policy 2010 to realize this target. In the same year, Bangladesh Tourist Reserve Zone Act, 2010 was also enacted. An interactive multilingual website has been launched. Moreover, Bangladesh tourism guide and tourist map were also published. Special academic and training programs have been designed to develop tourism related human resources. To enhance marketing of tourism products at home and abroad, modern Information Technology (IT) based system has been adopted. 2.0 Major Functions of the Ministry Formulation and implementation of laws and policies relating to civil aviation; Modernisation and rationalisation of airports, air routes and air services; Supervision of activities relating to air space control, safe take-off and landing of aircraft, aeronautical inspection, and the issuance of licensees for aircrafts and pilots; Formulation of laws and rules relating to registration of travel agencies and monitoring of their implementation; Formulating, updating and implementing the laws and policies for tourism, taking into account global perspectives; Undertaking research for development of the tourism industry, its modern management and creation of skilled manpower; Establishing, directing and controlling of associated/service-oriented organisations for the overall development of the tourism industry; Signing of contracts relating to civil aviation and tourism with local and international organisations and supervision of all activities concerned with co-ordination. 3.0 Relevance of the Roles and Responsibilities of the Ministry for Women s Advancement and Rights 3.1 The key activities of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism includes promoting safety in air traffic system, efficient and competitive air cargo
305 transportation system, expansion of inbound tourism, development of tourist spots and enhancing tourist facilities etc. This sector has also great potential to contribute more in the national economy. Women will also be benefitted in a number of ways from this sector. The role of this ministry in women s advancement and rights are discussed below: 3.2 Safe and Secure Aviation System: The growing number of expatriate Bangladeshis creates the opportunity of expanding the existing facilities of all the three international airports. For this reason the number of flights both in domestic and international routes needs to be increased. This will create huge employment opportunities and women will be benefitted as well. 3.3 Efficient and Competitive Cargo Transport System: Investment and employment opportunities will expand in industrial sector especially in garments industries if efficient and standardized cargo transport system is introduced. More jobs will be created in garment manufacturing industries where female workers are employed in a large numbers. 3.4 Expansion of Inbound Tourism: Not much of tourism facilities have been developed in Bangladesh, particularly for the foreign tourists. As a result, contribution of tourism industry to GDP remains insignificant. But the natural beauty, sandy beaches, world s largest mangrove forest, rich and diversified cultural heritage, hospitable citizenry of Bangladesh can attract a large number of tourists every year if these are marketed properly. Tourism sector has the potential to create millions of jobs in different types of services. It can also create huge self-employment opportunities. Women can easily grab a large share of jobs in tourism industries. 3.5 Tourism Related Human Resource Development: With expansion of tourism industries, demand for trained human resources will be created. Jobs will be created in tourism industry as tour guide, hospitality manager, supply chain manager, service provider etc. Ecotourism also creates a large number of job opportunities. To meet the demand of trained human resources academic and training programme should be designed properly and women should be given preference. This is evident all over the world that women are doing better in tourism sector and Bangladesh has also great potential to explore this area of economic activities.
306 5.0 Priority Spending Areas and Benefits for Women s Advancement Priority Spending Areas/ Programmes 1. Development and modernization of civil aviation related infrastructure: It is very essential to create and expand the civil aviation infrastructure in order to expand air transportation, ensure air safety and provide improved services to the increasing number of passengers. Various infrastructures must be modernised in line with international standards in order to have continuous take-off and landing of international flights. For this reason, construction and modernisation of civil aviation infrastructure has been considered as a priority area. 2. Modernisation of existing tourism infrastructure and development of related infrastructures International as well as domestic tourism will receive a boost with the identification of more new tourist spots, reconstruction/ repair/ renovation and modernisation of existing tourist establishments and construction of new tourist infrastructure at various attractive tourist places of the country. As a result, huge employment opportunities will be created in this sector. Modernisation of the existing tourist infrastructure and construction of new ones have been given a priority in order to make the tourism one of the biggest foreign exchange earners. 3. Development of physical infrastructure for tourism under PPPs: Since infrastructure development projects of civil aviation and tourism sector are very expensive, it would not be possible for the government alone to fund all the infrastructure development in this sector. For this reason, priority has been given to attract private investment in developing physical Impact on Women's Advancement (Direct and Indirect) The growing number of expatriate Bangladeshis creates the opportunity of expanding the existing facilities of airports. The number of flights both in domestic and international routes needs to be increased. Local and international aviation companies will require more trained manpower where women will have better opportunities to be employed. The natural beauty, world s largest sandy beach, mangrove forest, rich and diversified cultural heritage, hospitable citizenry of Bangladesh can attract a large number of tourists every year. If tourism sector is flourished, it will create millions of jobs in different types of services. It also creates huge self-employment opportunities. Women can easily grab a large share of those jobs. The Government has taken an initiative to develop new tourism infrastructures under Public Private Partnership (PPP). Two projects, namely, setting up of an Exclusive Tourist Zone at Teknaf and a 5 Star Beach Hotel along with 18 Hole Golf Course are going to be constructed at Cox s Bazar. Constructions of a motel, a youth hostel and
307 Priority Spending Areas/ Programmes infrastructure in tourism and civil aviation sectors under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). In addition, management efficiency in the sector will be enhanced as a result of private sector participation which will attract new foreign investment. 4. Conducting training for human resource development: It would not be possible to attract foreign tourists and foreign investments in tourism sector unless there is sufficient skilled manpower to deliver services up to the international standard. For this reason, priority has been given to conduct modern and need-based training courses and to maintain international standards at existing tourism training institutes. Impact on Women's Advancement (Direct and Indirect) a Buddhist Temple have already been completed at Kuakata Beach point. All these initiatives will boost tourism industry where women have better chances to participate in economic activities. Special academic and training program is very helpful to develop tourism human resources. Through this program women are most benefitted as this sub-sector requires women workers and employees especially as tour guides, front desk attendants, hospitality managers etc. Apart from this, training programme on flight cabin crew and flight attendant can also be arranged for women with special emphasis in English language skills. 6.0 Women s Share in Ministry s Total Expenditure Description (Taka in Crore) Budget 2013-14 Revised 2012-13 Budget 2012-13 Budget Women Share Women Share Women Share Revised Budget Women % Women % Women % Total National Budget 2,22,491 61,575 27.68 1,89,334 54,304 28.68 1,91,737 50,340 26.25 Ministry Budget 308 72 23.38 267 70 26.22 348 35 10.06 Development 265 66 24.91 237 59 24.89 326 33 10.12 Non- Development 43 6 13.95 30 11 36.67 22 2 9.09 7.0 Success in Promoting Women s Advancement National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute impart training on Tourism and Hotel and Hospitality management with a view to make skilled human resources. Main courses of this training institution are- Diploma in Hotel Management, Diploma in Tourism Management, Professional Chef Course, Certificate Course in Food and Beverage Production, Services, Bakery and Pastry Production, Travel Agency and Tour Operator and Receptionists. Each year about 1200 people get training on these courses; Besides regular training courses, National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute organizes special training courses for women. As a part of this
308 initiative 114 women got training on catering service and 84 women got training on bakery and cookery during the year 2012. Therefore, women become skilled and are getting employment opportunity. 8.0 Recommendations for Future Activities The Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010 confirms that tourism can act as a vehicle for empowerment of women whilst highlighting the remaining challenges for gender equality in tourism. Some initiatives and decisions of the government can work towards enhancing the positive impact of tourism on women s lives and to bring gender issues to the forefront of the tourism industry. Bangladesh has much potential for development of tourism industry. She has many natural attractions and social events of interest. If these are properly developed and marketed the tourism industry will be able to attract more overseas tourists. With expansion of tourism industry, many related small and cottage industries automatically grow where women can become entrepreneur and worker at the same time. As demonstration of cultural activities involves women in large quantities, they will be able to engage in economic activities. Women are also given priority in hospitality management and related services. They will also be benefitted from tourism related small businesses like, handicrafts, souvenir shops, supply services etc. Ecotourism opens up a new horizon of opportunities for the women. Sometimes, village home stays engage community in ecotourism. An ecotourism guideline will be helpful to enhance tourism opportunities particularly in hill, forest and haor areas where institutional tour operators do not have much access. Special training program for women can be arranged in the areas of flight cabin crew, hotel and hospitality management, professional tour guide etc. with a special emphasis in English language. It is important to provide educational activities for women to better improve their opportunities for working within tourism industry.