Developing tourism in Wetland Destinations: A study based on Tanguar Haor, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper investigates the tourism potential of Tanguar Haor, a Ramsar-designated wetland in Bangladesh, in light of its increasing importance as a destination. Qualitative methodology was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with 15 participants to understand visitor perceptions, infrastructure deficiencies, and environmental concerns. Thematic analysis of the collected data indi-cates that sustainable tourism strategies should be integrated to reconcile ecological protection with developmental aspirations. Community engagement, improved infrastructure, and pollution mitigation are essential to implementing sustainable tourism practices. By tackling these multidimensional challenges, Tanguar Haor has the potential to be a model wetland tourism destination that integrates biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic benefits. This study enhances academic discourse on sustainable tourism in environmen-tally vulnerable wetland destinations.