August M
Bangladesh holds some of South Asia’s most striking landscapes, yet it continues to sit outside the global tourism mainstream. Despite growing interest from niche operators, the country still struggles to convert its natural and cultural assets into large visitor numbers.
That challenge reflects reputation, risk perception and a tourism industry still finding its footing.
Numbers and neighbors
Bangladesh received about 650,000 international visitors in 2024, according to the Bangladesh Tourism Board. That figure remains small compared with nearby India and Sri Lanka, even as Bangladesh offers mangrove forests, tea-covered hills and a 75-mile stretch of beach at Cox’s Bazar.
Industry figures say the country’s image abroad has limited its appeal. Jim O’Brien, director of Native Eye Travel, told CNN that Bangladesh is often associated with disasters rather than tourism. ‘We only ever hear about the country for the wrong reasons,’ he said,
Selling the experience
Local operators argue that those perceptions overlook what modern travelers are seeking. Fahad Ahmed, founder of Bengal Expedition Tours, wants visitors to engage with daily life in Dhaka, one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
“Travelers want to have local experiences; they want to see real local life in Bangladesh,” Ahmed told CNN. He pointed to tea estates in Sreemangal and the beaches of Cox’s Bazar as further draws.
Visas-on-arrival for many nationalities and new hotels in the capital have made travel easier, even if convincing tourists remains difficult.
Visitor impressions
Some travelers say Bangladesh’s reputation almost stopped them from going. Anand Patel, a British tourist who visited in late 2025, said people questioned his decision. “It’s a negative perspective,” he told CNN.
Once there, Patel described river journeys and local markets as authentic rather than staged. Irish traveler Gary Joyce echoed that view, calling Dhaka’s Old City overwhelming but memorable. “A great introduction,” he said.
Both argued the country is widely misunderstood.
Image problems
Dhaka-based guide Kawsar Ahmed Milon said online portrayals often focus on poverty or extreme scenes. “People see Bangladesh as a third-world country,” he told CNN, adding that visitors usually leave with a different impression.
Videos of overcrowded transport and illegal “train surfing” circulate widely. Milon said he discourages such activities and prefers to promote eco-tourism and rural stays.
Risks and limits
Political unrest and security warnings remain a concern. Dylan Harris of Lupine Travel said tensions around elections can deter visitors, even when issues are localized.
Foreign travel advisories also vary, adding confusion. Still, O’Brien said his clients accept those risks in exchange for an uncommercialized destination.
Ahmed believes that restraint may be a strength. “We don’t want mass tourism,” he said. “The authentic Bangladesh would be gone.”
Sources: CNN
