Tourism is one of many activities in a community or region that requires planning and coordination, and a comprehensive strategic plan

for any planning and development process is an inevitable element that can turn potentialities into reality. Over the last few decades, several countries have looked towards tourism as a means of promoting development and economic growth. Today, it is one of the worlds most important and world's fastest growing industries, employing 74.2 million persons worldwide or 2.8 percent of total world employment. It also accounts for approximately 3.8 percent of total world output in 2005 (WTTC 2005). Combining both the direct and related economic activities of tourism, the industry is estimated to employ 221 million persons or 8.3 percent of total world employment and contribute 10.6 percent of total world output (Chamber News, Nov. 1995 p.4). In Bangladesh, there are some places that have been getting attention by tourists; one of them is Bandarban Hill District.

Bandarban Hill District is a unique and extraordinary place that has own identity and attract tourist with its own beauty. Since couple of years, Bandarban district is experiencing a great number of tourists visiting from around

the country, In fact, local businesses are booming due to growing number of tourists. Hotels, restaurant and local small business entrepreneurs are enjoying benefits from it. Specially, during the seasons (winter, summer, holiday, festivals and weekend) tourists can be seen everywhere especially in the tourist spots. The main purpose of this writing is not just to inform people that Bandarban is an extra-ordinary place with thousands of mountains, clouds, blue sky and green beauty to enjoy with friends and family, but also seek attention to policy makers and development agencies to consider this place as a priceless asset that should be cared and preserved as a tourist destination through a proper planning and implementation. Being a planner my first concern is the rapid growing demand of this place for tourists. Due to limited funds and manpower, the local governments have neither a comprehensive strategic plan to maintain tourists demands nor to protect the tourists destinations and attractions

However, it is obvious that this region offers a great and unlimited potentiality in the tourism sector that will thrive the local economy. To give a good start, this region requires a future plan to utilise its resources and valuable time. While working in field of Bandarban, I had discussion with various people involved in various disciplines including academic, civil society and politicians, and most of them are also taking about a compressive planning and strategic which can help for a sustainable development of tourism industry in this district by protecting nature, culture and tradition of this precinct.

Community base tourism was one of the opinions received from general public. A strong community based and eco-friendly tourism industry that can help to grow local economy. The main objects of this theory are to prioritise people, its land, nature, culture and tradition that are unique to others. Some recommendation can be made to develop a strategic paper related to this. First of all, there should be a long term objects comprises with various subjects to develop the tourism industry including places, public properties significant to tourists, culture, nature and heritage products; as well as, promote the business sectors by training, marketing and

controlling for a balanced development of tourism sector. Next, the local governments can adopt the following policies to full fill the certain objectives to develop and sustain the growth of this industry.

First, to initiate policy to protect the exiting tourism sites within a sustainability perspective, and thus create high quality viable environment.

Second, to adopt sustainable environment policy to protect all living plants, animals, flora, fauna, birds and surroundings.

Third, to consider tourism as an effective tool for forecasting social and economic development of backward regions and disadvantaged group.

Next, to adopt policy and regulations that can contribute to generate revenue for the local governments.

Next, to develop policy in managing structural development in tourism declared area e.g. building construction regulations or parking policy

Next, to adopt policy on proper waste management that can protect environment. Next, to implement policy to promote tourism and raise awareness in public, private companies and NGOs especially ecotourism, plateau and agricultural tourism.

Next, to initiate policy that appropriate governance mechanisms are used, in which central and local government and civil actors can collaborate and cooperate in decision making process related to tourism development.

Next, to promote local productions, local businesses involved with tourism and tourism related product.

Next, to harmonise sectoral development policies and targets with those of national development schemes.

However, further policy can be changed and amended for the welfare of the tourism industry.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES There might be some general objectives can be set out for the local governments as general objectives which are as follows: To identify the tourist spots and declare them as a public property; To set up a proper boundary line for every tourist spot and property to make sure they are protected for all the time; To create and discover new destinations , places and spots for tourism development; To set up a strong network and relationship with community to protect local tourism products and destinations; To identify and save the cultural heritage products unique to local community; To generate maximum tax from the tourism industry, and establish the sector as one of the biggest revenue generators of this district. To involve local community with businesses related to this industry, and assist beginners and grass root levels entrepreneurs by providing necessary support; To conduct project related to build awareness on providing quality customer care to tourists; To build awareness among the community to protect their own heritage, culture and environment soundly; To establish a security network to ensure maximum safety for tourist, as well as for general public.

To stop and protect all the potentially hazardous elements related to this industry, and make the local community to be aware of them, and train them how to protect own cultural identity while using as a product in the market;

To promote in branding tourist products and services to national and international market; To protect natural environment and surroundings by reducing less wastes and carbon emissions, and establish a GREEN TOURISM concept.

To establish community oriented tourism such as COMMUNITY TOURISM which will reflect on short term activities which will be carried out throughout the year.

To promote by branding product, service or place such as THE MOST DIVERSE CITY IN BANGLADEH.

Etc

The time has come. The government, policy makers and development agencies should consider conducting a comprehensive long term strategic paper and help by providing sufficient funds to implement it with a strong hand to assist the growth and flourish the local economy that can make peoples life better.

Writer, Planner Shaing Shaing U Nini An accredited planner of BIP (Bangladesh Institute of Planning and PIA(Planning Institute of Australia) Master of Community Planning and Development, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia. Contact +8801747906918 or email to shaing_nin@yahoo.com