Tourism development in Cox s Bazar, Bangladesh: conflicts or co-exists

Abstract

The aim of this research is to look into the tourism development in a developing society with a particular reference to Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. Initially, this research has reviewed the existing knowledge based on socio-cultural and religious impacts of tourism development followed by a qualitative method; interview of 15 local people and tourism developers to achieve its aim and objectives. Previously the main profession of this area was fishing, however, tourism development in this area take along a diverse opportunity of employment to local people. Results based on the analysis of the positive findings further include infrastructural development, cultural exchange, and entrepreneurial opportunity which all lead to a quality of life to local people. However, results based on the hierarchical regression also identified some issues that arisen due to tourism development in this region. These unenthusiastic impacts of tourism development include an increase of alcoholic beverages, cultural clash and adaptation of the Western behaviour of freedom of drinking and dressing. The current study provides a further contribution to tourism and hospitality management literature and a useful guideline to tourism developers, policy makers and practitioners to integrate and manage better tourism development in a developing society, particularly in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.