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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Bangladesh is a country located in the Bay of Bengal in Southern Asia. The country is one of the world's emerging economies that is expected to grow and play a leading role in the global economy with time (Hassan & Ullah, 2013). According to the author, the country, officially known as The People's Republic of Bangladesh, is the world's most populous country, ranking just behind its neighbor India and Pakistan. The country has rich fertile lands, tropical rainforest, mountain ranges, and numerous waterways that make it very rich in biodiversity and geographical variations. Agriculture is the leading economic activity in the country, contributing about 20% of the GDP (Mahboob Ali & Parvin, 2010). Other key economic activities include oil and gas, manufacturing, especially textiles, and tourism.

Tourism is a sector that many believe could propel the economy of Bangladesh very far. The country is not short of attractions from the resort city of Cox's Bazar to the Sylhet region, and three world heritage sites (Mahboob Ali & Parvin, 2010). Bangladesh is home to the world's longest beach, increasing its appeal even more. Other attractions include the diverse culture of the country's people, historical monuments, and sites, wildlife, and resorts. Some people may also visit the country for the spiritual purpose given it is home to some prominent religions such as Islam, Buddhists, Hindu, and Christianity. The sorry state of tourism in Bangladesh is appalling, and one would not fail to get dismayed why no one has done enough to promote the economic activity given that the country has so many tourist attractions. It shows a lack of concern on the part of the government because it is one industry that could kickstart the country's economy, but it has not done anything to harness this massive potential. According to Shamsuddoha, (2014), developing tourism is a win-win for all because not only does it lead to the creation of jobs but also the development of crucial infrastructure such as roads, airports and electricity and contributes to the country's sustainability. The author notes that the government must take deliberate steps to grow visitor numbers, indicating that improving the business environment, removing barriers such as Visa obtaining procedures, and providing incentives for the creation and development of knowledge could contribute to the growth of tourism.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

1.2.1 General Objectives

To assess the Impact of Institutional features on hospitality education in Bangladesh

1.2.2 Specific Objectives

i. To explore the key attractions and developments in the hospitality industry

ii. To examine the challenges facing Bangladesh Tourism and hospitality industry

iii. To explore the institutional factors that influence the training of human resources

iv. Importance of discipline in hospitality management

Picture: Saint Martin Island, Cox’s Bazar (2018)