The idea of branding Bangladesh with the slogan ‘Beautiful Bangladesh’ for promoting tourism was presented in a write-up in a local English daily on August 10. That is, however, one side of the story, the ‘optimistic side’, which takes form when Bangladesh is free from political mayhem and misery, which now seems to be more frequent than summer rains! The other, or the ‘pessimistic side’ is unfortunately a saga of misery, if one lands in the country during a political ‘tiff’.
For a tourist, up to landing at Dhaka airport will be fine, but the trouble will begin if opposition political party calls a hartal and halts civil life. To begin, no motor transport will be available to get to the hotel. The tourist may be lucky to hire a ‘scooter’ or a rickshaw. The tourist will be lucky if he or she can reach the hotel without being stopped on  the traffic-less roads a number of times, by political activists. After such harrowing experience, can the tourist be ready to face more such miseries? This is how the pessimist drama begins, if it is political ‘hot’ season in Bangladesh, which can be at any time! Considerations for safety will dictate the tourist to get the first flight out of Dhaka.
That is the sorry reality of the matter; no amount of promises or promotion can overcome it. No thanks to our politicians, who have made Bangladesh an insecure destination for tourists. The government needs to work on these issues in order to make Bangladesh a good tourist spot.
SA Mansoor
Dhaka.