CHAPTER-2

2.1 Introduction:

Kuakata is one of the two beaches (other one is in Japan) from where we can see the blood red Sunrise and Sun set. This beach is 18 km long and 3 km wide. People came here to see the sandy beach slopes into the Bay of Bengal, also the huge expanse of water, the ever green forest in surrounding areas, rows of coconut trees, boats of different kinds and their colorful sails, and surfing waves. Kuakata is also a sanitary for migratory winter birds. Many people visiting Kuakata find interest in Buddhist temples located at nearby places such as Keranipara, Mistiripara, and Kolapara. Many others find the place interesting because of the unique customers and traditions of the Rakhain community.

2.2 About Kuakata:

Kuakata , locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. At Kuakata excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and evergreen forest in really eye-catching. Kuakata is one of the rarest places which has the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world’s unique beaches. Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colourful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor’s heart. The unique customs and costumes of the ‘Rakhyne’ tribal families and Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of ‘Rush Purnima’ and ‘Maghi Purnima’. On these two days they take holy bath and traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as pleasant as is walking or diving. From history it is known that when Arakan, the house land of Rakhain at Mayanmer was in added and conquered by Barmerse king, the Rakhain people got into several big boats and started a journey to nowhere though the sea. Eventually their boats stopped at an island which happened to be Rangabali Island of Patuakhali district. They got out of the boats and started living there. Some of them entered the forest in search of

food, cut down trees and cleared some areas. This area in the forest they called ‘Kanshai’ meaning Vagyekul in Bengali. Because they came there by crossing the sea. At first living was difficult for safety water. So they dug a well for drinking water. This ‘digging well’ eventually gave the place a name ‘Kua-Kata’. Near this well they set up a temple and established a statue of Buddha weighing 350 kg (approx) in it which was created with the mixture of eight minerals. For building the temple they followed the architectural patterns of Indochina. Therefore are can think that this is a temple from Thailand, Laos or Myanmar. The scaffold of the stature is three and half feet high and the height of the statue of Buddha 83 years ago when the community celebrated 25 hundred years of Buddhism. At the time Dayak (director) of the temple was Bachin Talukder, Being the charismatic leaders of the Rakhain community he expired in 1999. After his death his son Aug Summing took the responsibility. Beside the temple Shree Mougal Buddhist Biheer has been built following the architectural pattern of Indo China. Sitting hare Buddhist Vikkhurs preached sermons. Now-a-days, nobody drinks the water of the well. It has been neglected for years. Only recently with the financial to assistance of Bangladesh Government the well, its surrounding areas and the temples are being renovated so that tourist can enjoy the site with convenience. It is beyond the power of anybody to describe the natural beauty of Kua-Kata Sea beach. Only you will have to enjoy it with your own eyes. At Sun rising, it seems a great bell of five rises from the sea to the sky and at Sun set slowly sinks the sun gently into the sea, only to return for the next day. As if the Sea in the home of the Sun. The beauty of the beach is enriched in full moon. It seems that the big waves are ready to embrace you in the moon light. When the moon Light is absent the waves sparkle in the darkness for the presence of phosphorus.

2.3 History of the Name:

Kuakata is a Bengali name which means digging a well. It’s an interesting story of how Kuakata got its name. The story is very old and tells the custom of the people lived here in ancient time. The name Kuakata originated from the word Bengali word kua, which means well. It is believed that the early RAKHAIN settlers found it difficult to get fresh drinking water in the place and they had to dig (kata) wells (kuas) to solve the problem. As this place has many wells and which are very important for the survival of the people lived here they named it after the wells as “Kuakata”.

2.4 Different looks of Kuakata beach at different times:

Kuakata exposes it’s different beauties at different times. It is a great pleasure of the adventure loving people.

Winter:

The sea remains calm and quiet during the winter. Medium size waves are found only during high tide, full moon or moonless night. The weather is very warm and cozy. The fishermen go deep into the Sea for fishing. The water of the Sea is excessively safety.

High-tide:

During high tide the Sea is full with water. There are great waves to form Surf and foam new the shore. This is great enjoyment to play with there waves at bathing time. The waves will bring you on to the send this moment and the next moment it will move you on to the Sea. Therefore you will have to be careful, although accident is very very rare. The beauty of the Sea is enhanced by several times during high- tide.

Low-tide:

During low-tide the Sea becomes life less. It looks as if dried up. At the beginning of the high-tide water increases rapidly. So if you stay in the water at this time, you will have to be more careful. During low-tide you can find snails and oysters on the sound, collecting them is good fun.

Morning:

The main attraction of the morning is Sun rising. The sight is simply overwhelming. You can walk in the beach for fresh pure air. The activities of the fishermen can also be sea.

Noon:

The main pastime is bathing and dancing with the waves at the Sea shore. Football, Cricket & Volleyball can be played on the sends for fun.

After-noon:

The sun setting is simply charming. When the sun dives into the Sea, the whole water turns to red. Seeing the scenery the minds of the tourists are filled with joy.

Night:

At night you can enjoy the sound of the surf breathing. It seems that this sound will continue on and on for endless time. If it is full moon your joy will know no bound. One can spend the night talking to the moon, waves and the sea. As the night journeys deeper, your intimacy with the sea will be manifold. You will feel poetic or romantic.

2.5 Geographical location of Kuakata:

The study area lies between latitude N21°48'05" to N21°51'36" and longitude E90°05'06" to E90°15'07". While inland of the coast is mostly covered by dense plantation, coastal area at Kuakata is directly exposed to the Bay of Bengal. The coast is wider and the beach has a very flat slope. Daily waves are very small, i.e., averaged wave heights are around 1 m. Tides in the beach area are semi-diurnal and daily tidal level varies within the range of 1 to 1.5 m Masuma et al (2011). From March to October the wind blows over Kuakata area from south with an average velocity of 3.5 m/s. From November to January the wind blows from the north with an average velocity of 2.6 m/s Masuma et al (2011). According to the local neighbors, the coastal area is experiencing rapid erosion especially at the west part and the natural sandy beach is under threat due to regular wave action.

CHAPTER-3

3.1 Climate of Kuakata:

The climate is tropical in Kuakata. Most months of the year are marked by significant rainfall. The short dry season has little impact. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Am. The temperature here averages 25.9 °C. Precipitation here averages 2595 mm.

Climate graph

The driest month is January. There is 11 mm of precipitation in January. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in July, with an average of 615 mm.

Temperature graph

With an average of 29.6 °C, May is the warmest month. The lowest average temperatures in the year occur in January, when it is around 19.8 °C.

Climate table

The precipitation varies 604 mm between the driest month and the wettest month. The variation in temperatures throughout the year is 9.8 °C.

3.2 People:

The total population of Kuakata is 174921. 90% of the population of the Kuakata are Muslim,6% are Buddhist(Rakhain Tribe) and 4% are Hindus. The Rakhain Community who inhabited Kuakata first (from Burma) introduced fisheries at Kuakata. Now, there are very few Rakhain families at Kuakata and the Muslims dominate the entire area. Only the people of the Kuakata resort area and its adjacent villages are involved in tourism related activities. Income pattern of the fishermen community of Kuakata is not satisfactory. Tourist season at Kuakata normally starts from October and continues upto April. November, December, January, February and March are the peak season for tourism. It is found from this study that around 4000 tourists visit Kuakata in November, while only 500 tourists visit this place in August.

3.3 Physiography:

Kuakata is located in the Patuakhali district. Kuakata has a wide sandy beach from where one can see both the sunrise and sunset. Kuakata is quite close to Khulna and the Sundarbans. It is about 320 Kilometres south of Dhaka, the capital, and about 70 Kilometres from the district headquarters. The Kuakata beach is 30 km long and 6 km wide. This place is situated in Patuakhali Zl, Barisal Div, Bangladesh, its geographical coordinates are 21° 49′ 0″ North, 90° 7′ 0″ East and its original name (with diacritics) is Kuakata.

CHAPTER-4

4.1 Technology:

In built environment, technology can be viewed as one of the distinctive and most powerful characteristics.

4.2 Infrastructure:

The infrastructure includes roads, sewerage systems and many commercial facilities (super markets and retail stores). There are no super markets or shopping malls. Mainly some same types of shops together created a little market. There are mainly two markets. One is situated just before the beach & another is situated beside the Rakhain Polly & it is called "Rakhain Women'smarket". About 35 shops are situated before the beach market on the two side of the road & about 20 shops are in Rakhain Women's Market.

4.3 Superstructure:

In the Kuakata parjatan area there are many remarkable hotels and motels. Some of them are listed here- Hotel Sky Palace Ltd, Hotel Nilanjona Ltd., Hotel Kuakata Inn Int. Ltd., Hotel Mohona International Ltd., Hotel Banani Palace , Hotel Golden Palace, Biswas Sea Palace, Sagorkonna Resort Ltd., Hotel Shoikot, Anandabari Guest House, etc. These hotels and resorts provide some facilities such as restaurant Service, conference Room facilities, 24 Hours Security Service, VIP support, phone Service, Satellite Dish Connection, Hot and Cold Water facilities, Generator Services,Transportation Service etc.But other types of superstructure are not constructed here. So, it is so much lack behind from the superstructure development.

4.4 Culture:

The Rakhine community, like the forest, is becoming increasingly microscopic, although its cultural influence remains. Kuakata takes its name from the Rakhine people: as Kua means well and kata means to dig. It is said that the Rakhines dug a well when they first settled to supply drinking water. The small Buddhist community nestled within this conservative Islamic belt, offers more than just religious variance. Traditional weaving and different grades of home brewed rice wine produce a unique coastal spirit. Handicrafts are available at the Rakhine Mohila Market (Womens’), where you can buy directly from indigenous women to ensure your contribution returns to the community.

CHAPTER-5

5.1 Provided Facilities:

Tourists are encouraged and motivated to go one spots by its existing basic and recreational opportunities. The existing tourist facilities during staying period were as followed as given below with a table collected through the assessment in Kuakata.

Cabin(6m x 6m)	Good indigenous architecture
Guest House (2 no.)	Poor services
Beach market stalls (retail mall)	Untidy
Beach market stalls (local restaurants)	Unhygienic
Hotel	Poor quality
Restaurant and fast food	None
Spot Indicating sign	None
Products in affordable prices	Uncontrolled

Table 3.6: Status of tourist facilities

The community supporting services in the beach of Kuakata has been listed within the following factors of facilities with a table given below.

Beach Access road – Local government	Loose sand, not good
Parking lot	Not defined, Loose sand, chaotic
Piped-borne water or borehole	Not available
Health centre	None
Beach safety – (Divers)	Not available
Public toilet facility	None
Beach changing Rooms	None
Telecommunication	None
Power supply	None
Solid waste disposal	Not good
Park or community square	None
Cottage craft centre	None

Table 3.7: Beach related facilities

There were hardly service in the Kuakata beach due to the improper attention and careless of the local and national government, private, public and community sectors. The table reveals that the beach related basic services (i.e. road, safety, power supply, dress changing rooms, public toilets, telecommunications etc.) were scarcely than a standard and developed beach.

There was no good quality hotel and restaurants for serving quality and safe food to the local and international tourists. Though some middle class accommodation facilities with air-condition and spacious well decorated rooms were available, their inadequacy, the deficiency of installation of spot indication signs and the incompatible product prices were the major concerns for the sustainable and more beneficial development of ecotourism sectors of Kuakata. From the above table, it was clear that the basic requirement facilities of tourists in Kuakata were in poor condition.

5.2 Attractions:

The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting.. Kuakata is truly a virgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor's heart. It has following tourist attractions:

5.2.1 Beach sites:

Kuakata sea beach is a nature of beauty. It is about 18 km long & 3.5km wide. The tourist, who came here, can see the Sunrise & Sunset from the same place. It's a great opportunity & in the world this type of opportunity is only in Japan. The sea beach is surrounded by green trees & beside the beach, there are many wooden trees garden &forest, like The Foyej Miyar Coconut Garden, Lembur Chor, Jhauban, Gangamotir Chor etc. These gardens & forests are the most attracting part for the tourist. There are no quick sands in the beach. So the tourists can frequently run, take bath, swim, & pick up cockle from the beach. But there is no signal light to alert, no enough sitting place on the beach, no life jacket, no coast guard & life saving men to ensure security for the tourist. There are two rivers; named Payra & Bishkhali are West of the beach &a river named Agunmukha is East of the beach. They all are concentrated in the Bay of Bengal. This entire river made a channel about half kilometer outside from the beach. This half-kilometer is about 3-4 feet deep & the channel is about 14-15 feet deep. This channel is about half kilometer & after the channel the height of the water is again 3-4 feet, it is about 2-3 kilometer. Now days, the beach is consequently breaking down by the flow of water through the channel. So, if the government could not take necessary steps to save this beach recently then our country may lose a valuable tourist spot.

5.2.2 Kuakata Buddhist Temple:

Kuakata Buddhist Temple is situated only four (4) kilometer away from Kuakata beach. Traveler may visit there by any vehicles. Kuakata Buddhist Statue is the biggest Buddhist Statue in South Asia.If a traveler visits Buddhist Temple he will see the statue of Goutom Buddha and also he will see the 200 years old wells. Traveler will find the about hundred year’s old ancient tradition and cultural heritage of traditional Rakhyne tribal families and Buddhist Temple.Near the temple traveler can also visit Misripara, Keranipara and Amkholapara. At that places traveler will enjoy the traditional Rakhain community. Visitors can buy many types of handicraft which is made by local Rakhain people. Traveler may visit the Rakhain locality and they can observe the life style of tribal Rakhain people. Rakhain peoples are very friendly to the tourist and visitors.Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of Buddhists and Hindus community. Many Buddhist followers come here during the festival of Rash Purnima and Maghi Purnima. On these two times they take holy bath at Kuakata and participate in the traditional fairs. Many tourists enjoy the traditional fairs Rash Mela. These types of events and festival make the beach more attractive to the visitors. Many people visit Kuakata to find interest in the Buddhist temple.

5.2.3Kuakata Eco Park:

Kuakata Ecological Park or Kuakata Eco Park is located about 2.5 kilometer east of the zero point of Kuakata. The area of the Eco Park is about 13,984 hectors. Coastal Forest Department in Patuakhali has constructed the Eco Park.The Eco Park is situated on the areas of Gangamati, Latachaplee, Khajura, Fatrar chor and Tengragiri in Kuakata sea beach. The Eco Park is surrounded by mangrove and non-mangrove forest.There are many types of trees and plants in this park and it is the safe nesting of birds. About 42000 plants are found in this park. There are two watch towers, five picnic sheds, a wooden bridge, culverts, internal walkways for the travelers. There is a nice looking Lake inside the park area and two coasts of this lake are connected with a bridge. Visitor can take a ride on a paddle boat at this lake.Some portion of this park was damaged by Hurricane Cidr and Aila. But the Government and park authority will take the necessary steps to rebuild the infrastructure of this Ecopark very soon.The Eco Park is the important tourist spots for the Kuakata sea beach visitors. Traveler will get the full natural beauties by visiting this Eco Park.

5.2.4 Shutki polli:

Shutki polli is another place at Kuakata where tourist can visit. It is located 4 kilometer west from Kuakata beach. On the way of Lebur bon/Lebur chor one can visit shutki polli. From that place one can get the experience of how to make dry fish (shutki). He will see the full process of making dry fish.Fisherman catches many types of fish from the sea. They sell some fresh fish and rest of the fish is use to make dry. There are varieties of fish process here. From shutki polli, shutki fish/dry fish is supplied in many places of Bangladesh and also export in many countries.

5.2.5 Lebur chor:

Lebur chor is located at five (5) kilometer east of Kuakata beach. Lebur (Lemon) chor is locally also known as Lembur chor or ‘Nembur chor’. Surrounded area of this chor is about 1000 acres. There are many types of trees and plants in this chor like Keura, Geowa, Goran, Koroi, Golpata etc. Lebur chor is the part of Sundarban but now it is detached from Sundarban. It is situated in the east corner of Kuakata. So traveler can visit from Kuakata to Lebur chor easily. Lebur chor will be another attractive place for the Kuakata travelers. It is full of natural beauty and this place is totally outstanding.

5.2.6 Narikel Bagan:

Narikel Bagan (Coconut Garden) is the nice place to visit for Kuakata travelers. It is situated at the eastern side of the sea beach. It is not very far distance from Kuakata beach. So traveler can reach there easily by walking.According to the local people these coconut garden is more than 40 years old. There are lots of coconut trees in that area. Narikel bagan was formed with large area in the side of the sea beach earlier. But now it is decreasing day by day. It has occurred for increasing the sea level. The strong waves of the sea touch the garden and destroy the front side tress. But still there are some trees alive so traveler can visit that spot.

5.2.7 Rakhain Polly:

It is not sure at which time people started to live in Kuakata. But everybody believes that Rakhain community was the oldest inhabitants here. Once upon a time Rakhains were the majority here but now they became the minority. But they have maintained their history, culture, with in this Rakhain Polly. If you go there you can watch their life style& daily work very closely.Generally Rakhain's life style & cultural activities are different than ours. They are "Buddhist" in religion & "Buddha Purnima" is their main religion festival around the year. Their every home has an own embodiment. Most of women are engaged in making handicraft. They made Lunge, Scarf, and Shawl etc. They have an own market in Kuakata, named "Rakhain Mohila Market". They bring materials from Burma & Cox-bazar. Men are engaged in agriculture. Most of them are not educated. Often people of other culture interrupt their life style &religion. So most of them are contracted in mind because they think that they are small in number in our country.

5.3 Transportation:

There are several ways to come in kuakata from capital Dhaka or other places of our country. To go to Kuakata, first people have to come in Barisal. They can come Barisal by road, plane (from Dhaka), or Ship. From Barisal they have to go to Kuakata by road. People can reach Patuakhali by small ship from Dhaka and then go to Kuakata by ship also. From Barisal to Kuakata tourists suffer a very disgusting journey. There are five ferries on the way to Kuakata from Barisal, which is very boring and time consuming for the tourists. The roads from Kolapara(Amtoli) to Kuakata is very poor, no vehicles can go smoothly on this route. Very often accidents occur on this route.

By Launch:

From Sadarghat 2 or 3 vehicles launches to Patuakhali.Starting Time: 5:30, 6:30 and 7 pm and arrival time in Patuakhali Launch Ghat: 6 am next morning. Vehicle Name: Sunderbaban, Saikat, Sattar Khan, Achol. Rent : Cabin (single) Tk. 350, (double) Tk. 600, (family) Tk.700 (VIP-AC) 1500 ,Deck Tk. 150When arrive Patuakhali, one can have breakfast in any hotel nearby and go to the bus dipo by rikshaw. Local bus there will take Tk. 60 and direct bus will take Tk. 80 to take you to kuakata beach by 5 and 3.5 hours.

By Direct Launch:

One can also take a direct river boat from Dhaka sadarghat terminal to Patuakhali. This journey will cost about the same as Barisal and these boats leaves little early around 4 to 7 PM. River boats are much nicer in Barisal route. Another issue is the time regarding taking this route. Traveller will reach Pautakhali around 7 to 8 AM. From here he/she board a local rickety bus to Kuakata, about three hours. Distance between Pautakhali and Kuakata is about 70 km.

By Bus:

A direct BRTC bus service is also available from Dhaka to Kuakata that leaves from Sayedabad Bus terminal at night takes 12 hours to reach Kuakata. These buses are clean and comfortable.Direct bus route from Dhaka to Kuakata. “Sakura” costs around 450 Taka (US $6.00). It leaves every night at 10:30 from the Gabtoli Bus terminal near Technical Mor.

Barisal to Kuakata:

If one want to go Kuakata from Barisal, at first he has to go Patuakhali. So he can choose Barisal “Rupatoli bus stand” or “Natullabad bus stand”. There are available Patuakhali or Khepupara bus services. One can choose any suitable bus from there. From Patuakhali one can go kuakata by any local service.

Transport Fare:

There is no specific bus-stand in Kuakata, so buses stand on the roadside that reduces the beauty of Kuakata. The distance and transport fare from Dhaka to Kuakata and Barisal to Kuakata is givenbelow-

From	To	Distance	Bus	Rate
Barisal	Kuakata	112km	BRTC Local Service	90tk 90tk
Dhaka	Kuakata	(112+277)km	BRTCSakura Saudia	240tk 350tk
Patuakhali	Kuakata	70km	Local Service	70tk

In peak season the number of buses increase as its demand increase.

5.4 Accommodation and Food services:

Every year in Kuakata many tourist come from various countries, mainly from Denmark, China and America. They stay there in hotels or motels; there are about 32 hotels and 10 restaurants in Kuakata with Tourist Holiday Home, R & H Rest House and LGED Rest House. But among all of them about 10 hotels or Motels and 3 restaurants are standard. Some hotels or motels offer meals to their guest by taking charge but maximum does not do it. In "Tourist Holiday Homes" every cook are trained by the UNICEFF for 6months, but other Hotels and Restaurants cook are not so qualified. For this reason the meal condition of maximum hotels and restaurants are also below of standard and non-hygienic. But the meal cost of this area is quite reasonable. The good restaurants, like The Shefard, TheKhabar Hotel -3 and The Tourist Holiday Homes etc. mainly offer-

Breakfast	Porata, Bread, Egg, Tea, Coffee etc.
Lunch & Dinner	Chicken, Fish, Vegetable, Pea-Soup etc.
Lunch & Dinner (Special)	Pilau, Chicken roast, Mutton, Soft Drinks etc.
Ordered Item (Optional)	Fish Item: Rupchanda, Sea- koral, Hilsha,Prawn etc.Others: Beef, Hotchpotch, Chaisnis Meal etc.

The Hotel Business Union of Kuakata generally divided the year in two seasons: Peak & Off-peak. Peak season is from October to April & Off-Peak is from May to September. In peak seasons the rent costs of the Hotels are full and in off-peak season some Hotels offer 25% discount, some offer 50% discount. The room rent of these Hotels is about TK.300-TK.1500 per night, generally it depends on room size & condition & varies from hotel to hotel. The main problems of these hotels are room crisis in Peak season. They can't offer the visitors sufficient room because maximum hotels have highest 10-12 rooms and others below of this. There is also lack of Fast Food Shop & Chnises Restaurant. Except room rent and meal facilities the Hotels &Restaurants of this area does not offer anything like The Night Club, Bar, Coffee Shop etc. There is nothing for enjoyment at night. So, at night it becomes a boring place for the tourists.

5.5 Development and Promotional Activities

Solar energy is the sun's rays that reach the earth being converted to energy through different processes. Solar can be converted to electricity. Photovoltaic systems use solar cells or panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar irradiance, measure of incoming solar radiation, of Bangladesh is very good for the purpose of electricity generation. The monthly averaged global radiation data has been taken from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and clearness index is a measure of the cleanness of the atmosphere has an average value of 0.499 for Kuakata.A hybrid power system for Kuakata is desgined where diesel generator has been combined with wind and solar power generation. Diesel generator has been chosen for its operating feasibility, low cost, quick start and small size. It has good thermal and electrical efficiency. Moreover it has low fuel consumption and good load support. But only diesel generator is not cost effective to meet the current electrical demand. A solar-wind-diesel hybrid system can be a cost effective solution.

CHAPTER-6

6.1 Contribution to the Economy:

There is a huge impact of Bangladesh tourism on the society and economy of the country. Tourism is of great importance to develop a knowledge based society. It fortifies the country socially as well as economically. Bangladesh tourism industry contributes to healthy GDP and employment opportunities. According to the World Travel and Tourism report of 2011, 1.9 % of total employment is generated by Tourism industry. And also it is expected to reach 29.3 % by 2021. In 2011, the number of international visitor tourist reached 443,000 generating a revenue of BDT6.6 billion. The revenue is generated by the expenditure in lodging, entertainment, transportation and many other necessities.

6.2 Problems:

Kuakata is endowed with great tourism potentiality with its natural beauty, tribal culture, special events, religions rituals, historical places, forests and coasting trade etc. but unfortunately we could not yet develop the infrastructural facilities which are pre-conditionally needed to turn a place of interest into a tourist destination. Without developing these facilities, we may not successfully market our tourist products to target market segments. The other problems, which have been identified, are as follows:

Þ Political instability and unrest probably are the major reasons, which prevent foreign visitors from visiting Bangladesh. Vacationing international tourists’ arrivals are much less in number in Bangladesh than other South Asian Countries.

Þ In case of Bangladesh, we claim to have tourist attractions(which include (a) site attractions, historical, scenic, climatic, (b)event attractions: religious festivals, trade fairs) but in terms of accessibility (i.e., facilities for easy transport and communications and also amenities i.e. accommodation local transport, security, catering, medicare) we lag much behind than many other South and South-east Asian countries.

Þ The tourist attractions, which Bangladesh possesses, are not also superior to the tourists’ attractions of other Asian countries. In fact, we do not have much widely known historical places and remains, monuments, personalities and other attributes which India has, no mountain for trekking and skiing which Nepal has no temples and monuments which India and Thailand have, no special culture and cultural festivals which India, Thailand and Indonesia have.

Þ Most of the tourists have a negative image of Bangladesh. They portray Bangladesh as a famine and flood-stricken country with dirty and poor inhabitants, overcrowded and lawless city streets, in sanitary and unhygienic conditions etc.

Þ The way of communication of kuakata is very poor (Mainly Amtoli to kuakata). There is no fixed Bus stand in Kuakata & there are also problems for the transport fare for the local buses. The conditions of the bus are also not good.

Þ One of the classic errors in tourism development programs lies in insufficient planning or provision for infrastructure components.

Þ Most tourists in Kuakata are busy in visiting places, walking in the sea beach and monuments or relaxing with nature. But they have nothing to do after sunset.

Þ A tourist needs personal security and safety. We cannot develop our tourism sector unless we can guarantee security and safety requirements to the visitors.

Þ The Hotels has seat problems. They can’t offer the visitors sufficient seats in the peak season. There is also lack of sufficient standard restaurant.

Þ There is no life saving man and signal light station in the beach, to aware the tourist.

Þ Now days, the beach is consequently breaking down. Its many natural recourses are also hampered in many ways.

Þ There is no good standard hospital and super market in kuakata.

Þ Kuakata is very much important for costing trade. There is also agree at chance for the development of the costing trade. But lack of proper facilities its decreasing day by day.

Þ There is no facility for the foreign tourist.

These problems have a negative impact on tourism in Kuakata as well as in Bangladesh. To overcome those problems and make profitable tourism industry in our country, we should take few effective policies.

6.3 Recommendations:

If we want to attract more tourists, new directions, new strategies and an integrated tourism marketing effort are required. The products offered by Bangladesh tourism industry must be unique and they must be competitive in the target market. Following are some of the recommendations for consideration by appropriate authorities that are essential for the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh.

Þ Tourism authority should develop its plan to attract tourists. For this purpose attractive historical and natural spots should be developed with all sorts of excellent infrastructure facilities in order to offer the quality tourists major lavish services of international standard.

Þ As the tourist inflow to Bangladesh is still quite insignificant in comparison to other South Asian countries, the prime responsibility of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (National Tourism Organization) should be to promote the identity, image and tourist inventories of Bangladesh in international market.

Þ Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) should be responsible for policy formulation, implementation, resource collection and co-ordination. The function and responsibilities of the BPC should be reviewed and reformulated.

Þ As a part of the strategy and policy BPC has published and distributed a number of colorful posters about Kuakata. We feel that along with the descriptions of tourist attractions information on transport and accommodation facilities, shopping, entertainment and other supporting facilities should be incorporated in the folders and booklets to provide tourists enough information before deciding to take a trip to Kuakata.

Þ Till to day, tourism in Bangladesh is Dhaka-city-oriented. But BPC should give higher priority to Kuakata in any planning for tourism development in Bangladesh.

Þ The national tourism organization of different SAARC countries may develop joint programs and promotional campaigns and also formulate a few package tour programs of different duration and itineraries covering two or more member countries. This may benefit the less visited member countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Maldives.

Þ Bangladesh should develop a master plan for creation of a limited number of most attractive tourist spots like historical and natural spots with modern transport and communications systems. Comfortable accommodations, exotic recreational facilities and other facilities and amenities as demanded by the foreign travelers.

Þ In Kuakata we do not have anything significant to offer to the tourists at night. Therefore, some specific programs must be chalked out to keep Kuakata visitors busy at night. In the meantime we probably can open up some bars and dancing floors in Kuakata exclusively for the foreign tourists. Only foreigners would be allowed to enjoy drinks and dances to which they are habituated.

Þ A tourist needs personal security and safety. It is suggested that separate police should be deployed mainly in the tourist spots and other places of attraction.

Þ Well-trained guides fluent in English and other foreign languages must be provided. The folders, brochures and posters must be printed in different languages.

Þ Government should immediately take some necessary steps to construct the road of Amtoli to Khepu para and establishment of international standard hotel and motel facilities.

Þ Developing the well linkage of transportation among the various

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7.Conclusion:

Every tourist center of a country has some specialty & Kuakata is not exceptional from this characteristics. It is one of the rarest places,which has the unique beauty of offering the full view of the rising and setting of crimson sun in the water of the Bay of Bengal in a calm environment. That perhaps makes kuakata one of the world's unique beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach has gentle slopes into the Bay of Bengal and bathing there is as pleasant as is walking or diving. Kuakata is truly avirgin beach-a sanctuary for migratory winter birds, a series of coconut trees, sandy beach of blue Bay, a feast for the eye. Forest, boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, fishing, towering cliffs, surfing waves everything here touches every visitor's heart. The unique customs and costumes of the 'Rakhyne' tribal families and Buddhist Temple of about hundred years old indicate the ancient tradition and cultural heritage, which are objects of great pleasure. Kuakata is the place of pilgrimage of the Hindus and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'. On these two days they take holy bath and traditional fairs are held here. All these additional offers to panoramic beauty make the beach more attractive to the visitors. One should visit Kuakata and discover the lovely grace of Bangladesh.

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