Tourism is often a key driver of economic growth in many countries. The recent upward trends of tourism and hospitality education in higher academic institutions in Bangladesh suggests a growing tourism sector. Very little has been written on Bangladesh’s tourism industry. This is the first edited volume published from an international publisher which looks at this industry and how it has developed and flourished. The book begins by looking at tourism policy planning and provides a comprehensive overview of topics from tourism products and services in Bangladesh to how they are being marketed. It also discusses how private and public tourism institutions can address future long term trends. This book will appeal to those interested to learn more about developing tourism industry in emerging economies and may provide invaluable lessons from Bangladesh’s experience and success.

This edited volume uniquely explores the extensive themes and frameworks of tourism development and investment in Bangladesh. The book focuses on outlining the present investment and development scenario of Bangladesh in order to suggest some solutions to current issues. Considering that Bangladesh has a population of over 170 million, the country possesses an abundance of possibilities for tourism. In recent years, Bangladesh has experienced steady growth in its economy and socio-cultural developments. Currently, there is very limited knowledge of or research into tourism in Bangladesh, even though it is a multifaceted and fast-growing industry. This book makes an important contribution to representing and exploring diverse aspects of tourism in Bangladesh for local and international benefit. This book provides insights into the stronghold of a social class having the ability to spend for tourism and leisure activities, which has prompted the country to pay further attention to the development of its tourism industry. This book emphasizes that the importance of tourism is undeniably on a continuous rise in Bangladesh, which in turn deserves the appropriate attention from academic research.

Lately, tourists consider their mobile devices as essential accessories for the realization of their trip before, during, and after the visit. Such devices allow them to consult information about points of interest, services, or products in real time. Thus, mobile devices have come to be considered as tools to support decision making regarding the realization of trips. In the digital environment, tourists seek complementary information to consolidate knowledge about the destination, heritage, culture, customs, and traditions that make the visited place unique. Simultaneously, they transform tourist experiences into a memory associated with travel, contribute to the sustainability of local populations, reduce inequalities, and cooperate to improve the quality of life of all involved. ICT as Innovator Between Tourism and Culture differs from others on the same areas because it aims to place the emphasis on and increase the bridge of knowledge between information communications technology (ICT), tourism, and culture, considering ICT as the main driver that creates the development environment and enhances the tourist experience in general. In particular, it is linked to cultural heritage, making it a more sustainable and intelligent tourist destination, taking into account the well-being of the local population and visitors. Covering topics such as destination image, religious tourism, and innovation dynamics, this book is an essential resource for IT consultants, hotel managers, marketers, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism researchers, professors, students, practitioners within the tourism industry, and academicians.

The tourism and hospitality industry of Bangladesh as a South Asian country has potential. Sustainable development of this industry in this country is on the move. Still, there are some hindrances which appear to be stymieing this industry’s overall development potential. Overcoming such hindrances can be partly enabled by applying digital innovation and introducing more Internet based platforms in the country’s tourism and hospitality industry. The country is believed to have emphasized innovative technology application in this industry, but technology applications in this industry in Bangladesh have so far attracted very few researchers, resulting in insufficient contributions and very limited knowledge. This book, therefore, can make a significant contribution towards the very limited knowledge in this identified research area. On the specific ground of technology application in the tourism and hospitality industry, the book covers concepts and context, the present scenario, product and service offers, and an analysis of the roles of public and private institutions. On related issues, the book also covers social media, networking and connectivity; sustainability practices and climate change effects; tourist experiences; developments; and challenges, suggestions, and future research directions. The book is expected to appeal to general readers, as well as researchers with an interest in technology applications in the tourism and hospitality industry. This book is also an essential read for the relevant policy planners and industry professionals.

This book accounts that Bangladesh is a potential destination in South Asia exhibiting a steady growth in its economy along with socio-cultural developments. With a population of over 170 million, the country possesses significant possibilities in (domestic) tourism. This book explicates that increasing number of upper social classes along with their affordability to spend on tourism and leisure activities has recalled attention for the development of this emerging industry. This book comprehensively examines the overall tourism and hospitality contexts in Bangladesh under the lens of current policy and administrative frameworks. In so doing, the contribution of tourism and hospitality industry has been highlighted in the economy of Bangladesh as a means to creating employment opportunities. Further, the book addresses that contributions remain uneven and distributed improperly and to date the tourism industry has not been offered the desired attention in supporting examples in this regard. Nonetheless, tourism and hospitality education and research have been intensifying in recent years across numerous higher academic institutions (e.g. public and private universities) in Bangladesh. This book explores critically the requirement of supportive roles of key tourism and hospitality stakeholders both from public and private domains. Ultimately, the book signifies collaborative and continuous efforts are imperative that partake both the practitioners and the academia in the development and execution of inclusive and functional tourism policy and planning in Bangladesh.