A Correspondent:
Rangamati: Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan has said the government is tak-ing special initiatives to attract foreign tourists to the hilly region.
“The hilly region has immense tourism potential. The government is taking special plans to attract not only domestic tourists but also foreign visitors,” he said.
Dipen said necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of foreign tourists and remove all obstacles to their free movement.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting on the development of the tourism sector in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, organized by the Resort Owners Association Rang-amati at Bargee Lake Valley Resort in Rangamati yesterday evening.
Dipen Dewan said increased visits by foreign tourists to the CHT would create employment opportunities at the local level and financially benefit local people.
Mentioning that there are some administrative obstacles to the movement of foreign tourists, he said dis-cussions are underway at the highest levels of the government to resolve the issues.
Regarding concerns over security in the hills, the minister said various negative perceptions about the safety of the CHT discourage foreign tourists from visiting the region.
“We all have to work together to stop spreading fear. Only then will people be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the hills freely,” he said.
Dipen urged the media to help remove negative perceptions and come forward with positive publicity.
Referring to Kaptai Lake, the minister said the lake is a huge asset for the country.
“The government has plans to achieve economic prosperity through tourism centered around this lake,” he said.
Chaired by Resort Owners Association Rangamati President Tanoy Dewan, the meeting was also attend-ed by the organisation’s Vice-President Lalit Chandra Chakma, General Secretary Sumet Chakma, dis-trict BNP leader Subhash Chakma and member Bappi Tanchangya.
