Seminar on Archaeological Tourism Development in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 22 July 2025: ULAB’s Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) and the Department of General Education (GED) successfully conducted a seminar entitled Archaeological Tourism Development in Bangladesh on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025. The seminar aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 4, 8, 11, 12 and 17. This seminar serves as a rich educational platform, empowering students, researchers, and professionals in the cultural tourism sector with insight into archaeological tourism. This area is yet to grow in Bangladesh. Through the presentation and active discussions, participants are equipped with the capacity to lead future initiatives in heritage interpretation, site management, and community-driven tourism. The contributions of the keynote speaker Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Innovation and Sustainability Lab (ISL) of the National University, Bangladesh Dr. Md. Anowar Hossain Bhuiyan and the discussants Deputy Director (Publications) of the Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman and Deputy Director (Statistics, Research & Planning) of the Bangladesh Tourism Board Md. Mazharul Islam reinforces the government’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning and fostering a culture of innovation.

Archaeological tourism has the potential to generate sustainable economic growth through job creation, local enterprise development, and community involvement. By focusing on underdeveloped sites across Bangladesh, this seminar highlights opportunities to expand income sources for local populations. Discussions centered on enhancing tourist capacity, improving infrastructure, promoting small businesses, and elevating visitor experiences, catalyzing employment and entrepreneurship while preserving cultural heritage. A primary theme of the seminar was setting sustainability into archaeological tourism. The distinguished speakers discussed strategies such as eco-friendly infrastructure, responsible site management, waste reduction practices, and interpretive education to enhance visitor experiences without compromising site integrity. By advocating for sustainable consumption and production models and emphasizing heritage stewardship, this seminar reinforces Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting its rich archaeological legacy for future generations.

The discussants emphasize collaboration among diverse actors, including academia, government agencies (such as the Department of Archaeology and the Bangladesh Tourism Board), as well as private and community stakeholders. Joint efforts discussed, including policy alignment between the Department of Archaeology and Tourism Board, community participation in site conservation and hospitality, public–private investment partnerships and international cooperation with UNESCO and comparable heritage bodies. Director of the ULAB’s Center for Archaeological Studies and the Head of the Department of General Education Professor Dr. Shahnaj Husne Jahan presided the seminar, welcoming dignitaries and outlining the strategic vision for archaeological heritage-based community tourism. The heritage and tourism professionals and practitioners of Bangladesh as well as ULAB students and faculty members participated in a vibrant question-and-answer session and the program wrapped up with a vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Shahnaj Husne Jahan.