The 720 km long coast of Bangladesh, supported by an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 118,813 km2 is a vast and enlightened world of ecosystems, cultural heritage, and natural resources. Traditionally fishing, shipping and offshore energy have been the nation's economic pillars of the ocean economy. While these sectors form the key part of the blue economy and account for about 3.2 percent of the national GDP, indicating a significant untapped potential. Contrarily, sea-borne tourism has grown into a world market of 1.7 trillion USD, indicating how coastal nations, natural resources can be used and benefited for development, employment generation and protection of marine environments (Rahman, 2025).

Recent policy moves are a good indication of the fact that Bangladesh is realizing the need to diversify and modernize its ocean-based economy. The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and the recognition of the Blue Economy Cell under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are few of the measures that have been initiated to acknowledge marine tourism as a strategic enabler for sustainable development. These programs seek to incorporate climate resilience, community participation and resource conservation into economic planning, in line with international “best practices” introduced in countries such as the Maldives, Thailand and the Indonesia (UNDP, 2023).

However, despite the policy momentum, the industry continues to face several obstacles. Inadequate infrastructure and transportation hinder access to coastal waters and Island areas. Moreover, the degradation of environment due to uncontrolled tourism and plastic pollution has endangered the fragile ecosystems such as the Sundarbans and the Saint Martin's coral reef (Islam et al., 2024). The fragmented governance and absence of holistic legislation also contributes to a loss of momentum in promoting maritime tourism in a sustainable manner as enshrined in SDG 14: Life below Water.

Fig. 1: Maritime tourism Attractions of Bangladesh (google earth).

Given the above, a need exists for such evidence-based research to elucidate mechanisms through which maritime tourism can become a catalyst for economic diversification and process of retaining ecological integrity. This theoretical and empirical vacuum is addressed in this study by exploring the possibilities of maritime tourism in Bangladesh, dissecting policy and institutional limitations and presenting a five-pillar concept to develop the sector to contribute to a resilient, inclusive blue economy.

Research Objectives

This exploratory study sets three interrelated objectives to examine the transformative aspect of maritime tourism in the blue economy of Bangladesh. Its first objective is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the country's maritime tourism resources coastal destinations, marine biodiversity, and cultural and heritage resources based on spatial, economic and ecological data (Hossain & Rahman, 2023). Second, the study aims to review policy and institutional failures using DPSIR Framework (Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses) approach that guides for a structured diagnosis of the environmental and governance problems (UNEP, 2019). Finally, the research introduces a blue tourism development model based on SDG 14 (Life below Water), emphasizing approaches that build conservation, community engagement, and climate resilience into national blue economy plans (World Bank, 2022).

Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic development, livelihoods and health of the marine ecosystem (World Bank, 2022). Under this framework, marine tourism is identified as a powerful catalyst for coastal development and economic development of the region. The Asian Development Bank estimated that in Southeast Asia, maritime tourism is worth USD 8.5 billion per annum, highlighting its importance as a source of foreign exchange. Additionally, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2022), maritime tourism generates as much as four times more jobs than offshore extraction industries, illustrating its potential for inclusive job generation, with benefits for women and youth in coastal areas.

Experience from small island developing states and the coastal countries shows that, when maturely planned and implemented, investment in maritime tourism can generate economic and environmental dividends. The high‐end ecotourism of Maldives is one of the major national development pillars, with the capital from it being used for conservation of coral reef and for community incomes (UNDP, 2023). Thailand's community-driven mangrove tourism has also contributed to a 27% reduction in coastal poverty and enhanced ecosystem restoration and visitor environmental awareness. It also highlights the need for policy coherence and stakeholder participation. Integrated marine spatial planning to ensure sustainable tourism growth and biodiversity conservation has been developed in Zanzibar and marine protected areas that focus on the sustainable development of the snorkeling and diving industry have been developed in Indonesia (FAO, 2021). These lessons learned articulate that robust policy, environmental protection and participatory governance mechanisms are essential to ensure that maritime tourism acts as an enabler and not a threat to the marine environment. However, in Bangladesh, studies on economic and environmental contributions related to coastal tourism are at scarce. Only 12% of blue economy studies are confined to the tourism-related activities, which highlights the requirement for additional empirical investigation and policy intervention to tap into this sector transformative potential (Hossain and Rahman, 2023).

This is a comparative qualitative study based on secondary data analysis, constituted from peer-reviewed journals, national policy papers and recent media reports covering the year 2020–2024 which provided related inputs and empirical evidence. The case of the Maldives, Thailand and Zanzibar were analyzed to identify replicable best practices in sustainable maritime tourism planning and policy integration. The DPSIR Framework (Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses) was used to systematically organize data analysis and to identify knowledge gaps and priorities for the blue economy strategy of Bangladesh.

Research Gap

Maritime tourism has been increasingly recognized in the literature as a driving force of the blue economy at global level, but little to no empirical research has been conducted yet in the Bangladesh context. Only 12% of published academic studies on the country's blue economy explicitly examine tourism, most of such work treating fisheries, shipping, and offshore energy. This paucity of specialism in research limits the ability of such policymakers to develop evidence-based approaches to underpin policies and programs for integrating tourism with coastal conservation and development. There is also little reflection on how blue tourism can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below Water) on climate resilience and biodiversity protection. 

Conceptual Connections: Maritime Tourism and the Blue Economy

Maritime tourism is an important component of the wider blue economy, which the World Bank characterizes as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and an overall healthy ocean ecosystem. The conceptual connection in terms of economy and employment multiplication is discussed in this section with regional example.

Global Value

Marine tourism is one of the emerging industries in blue economy with significant contribution to the world GDP and trade. The economic value of maritime and coastal tourism worldwide is estimated at over USD 1.7 trillion per year (UNEP, 2019). This would involve revenues not just from activities but also from cruise tourism, recreational boating, diving, sport-fishing and cultural visits to coastal areas. The market growth in the industry is primarily driven by increasing customer demand for ocean leisure and the increasing popularity of sustainable tourism. For developing coastal nations, this global market offers a significant opportunity to diversify economic activities and earn foreign exchange.

Job Multiplier

One of the hallmarks of maritime tourism is that it creates massive job opportunities by all value chains. The International Labour Organization (ILO, 2022) estimates that investments in maritime tourism create up to four times more jobs per dollar spent compared to investments in offshore oil, gas, or mineral extraction. These jobs extend beyond hospitality and recreation services to include transport, local handicrafts, environmental conservation, and supply chains supporting tourism operations. This employment multiplier is particularly relevant for Bangladesh, where coastal communities face chronic underemployment and seasonal income volatility. Developing maritime tourism can provide diversified livelihood opportunities for youth and women, thus promoting social inclusion alongside economic growth.

Regional Examples

Maldives Eco-luxury tourism

Maldives represents a best-practice model of how ecotourism worth high economic value with low environment impact can sustain economic development, as well as the integrity of an ecosystem. Money from luxury resorts is paying for coral reef restoration, marine research and local entrepreneurship. The experience has increased climate resilience and protected tourism that supports almost 28% of the GDP as a backbone of Maldives economy (UNDP, 2013).

Thailand's Mangrove Tourism

Several ground-breaking Innovative solutions, like Community-Based Mangrove Tourism, return to Thailand, embracing the duality of conservation and development. UNEP-22 suggests community involvement in such initiatives results to 27% less poverty and restoration of the adjacent costal ecosystems. This success reflects the importance of integrating local involvement, ecosystem management, and market-driven tourist concepts in blue economy planning.

Maritime Tourism Potentials in Bangladesh

Bangladesh coastline extends for approximately 720 km on the Bay of Bengal and includes segments of some of the most exotic coastlines in South Asia. With such a long coastline and an impressive marine biodiversity Bangladesh has a potential of thriving maritime tourism industry. Marine tourism potential of Bangladesh and the key dimensions in details are discussed in this section.

Coastal Attractions

Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar known for the longest unbroken sandy sea beach in the world, is Bangladesh's premier tourist destination. Millions of domestic tourists visit this place annually and have great potential for international tourists looking for beach holidays, surfing, and water sports. The recent initiative by the government to build the Sabrang Tourism Park and the elevation of Inani Beach to an eco-tourism zone reflects a growing policy interest in unlocking Cox's Bazar's potential.

Saint Martin's Island

The only coral island in Bangladesh, is a rare blend of scenic white beaches, live corals and marine life. The island has become a favorite destination for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and leisure boating. However, over-tourism, poor sanitation and weak implementation of laws put the integrity of the ecology of one of the world's fragile ecosystems at risk.

Kuakata

The ‘Daughter of the Sea' Kuakata is the place from where both sunrise and sunset can be observed is one of the heart melting tourist attractions of south Asia. It is also a place where several festivals and cultural events take place and some can be leveraged for cultural tourism. However, Kuakata is up against erosion and a rise in sea level. The place also lacks in infrastructural development for tourists' stay.

Sundarbans

The world's largest mangrove forest and UNESCO World Heritage site is a global tourist spot for ecotourism. There is good potential for wildlife tourism, river cruising and environmental education trips up to Sundarbans considering the high biodiversity, royal Bengal tiger and the endangered estuarine crocodile and the Irrawaddy dolphin. But sustainable exploitation is necessary to prevent unnecessary destruction of the habitat by unmanaged tourism. The combination of the fields listed above creates a solid basement for a multi-product offer in maritime tourism that should attract domestic and foreign tourists.

Marine Biodiversity

The marine biodiversity of Bangladesh is another key factor in the prospects of its maritime tourism. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country contains a variety of Ecosystems like coral reef, estuary and large area of mangrove habitats. Coral reefs in Saint Martin, more than sixty-six coral species and numerous species of reef fish, provide diving and underwater photography tourism (Hossain & Rahman, 2023; Rahman, 2026). It is also visited by marine turtles, dolphins and whale sharks, adding to the area's eco-tourism potential. The Sundarbans that spread on 6,000 square kilometers, besides being a home to over 260 bird species, have rare reptiles and variety of aquatic animals. Its maze of tidal rivers and creeks can accommodate low-impact wildlife viewing tours, guided boat safaris and community-run ecotourism projects. Mudflats and coastal wetlands of Kuakata and Cox's Bazar also harbours migratory birds, therefore potential for eco-tourism on specialized birdwatching is very high. Marine biodiversity is not only taking a role in conservation education, but also in the development of niche high-value markets that might attract a cost sensitive traveler that has a good-environmental eye for the type of market and is prepared to pay a premium for a genuine encounter.

Cultural and Historical Heritage

Bangladesh's coastal areas are rich in maritime history and cultural heritage for a more enriching tourism experience. The historic ports of Chittagong and Maheshkhali represented two of the most ethnically diverse regions in ancient Bengal during the early classical period, as they hosted populations of Arab and Persian traders. A lot of this is under-recorded or under-promoted but heritage trails and interpretive centers can promote the country's maritime history to visitors. The attractive coastline, strewn with uncountable shipwrecks dating back to colonial times, may also include diving areas of interest. A proper mapping and administration of such underwater heritage sites could also attract professional divers and scholars. Elements of culture like traditional boats crafting, sea fishing festival and performances of coastal folks contribute to the tourist experience and may be incorporated with the community tourism program products. Selling this intangible heritage to the world through storytelling, crafts markets, cultural festivals can also add value to tourism and bolster local identity and pride.

Tourism Infrastructure and Development

Bangladesh fare well on developing tourism infrastructure but there are problems with transportation, accommodation, waste management and tourist service as well. Cox's Bazar is famous around the world however it doesn't have an international airport of its own which creates an obstacle for the foreign nationals to travel. Even along the coast, road access, sanitation facilities and a reliable source of power are hard to come by. There is a range in the quality of accommodation; the internationally acclaimed hotels and eco-lodges are few and far between. Over 70% of Cox's Bazar and Kuakata hotels have no wastewater treatment plant and waste is dumped directly into the sea, polluting the very ecosystem that is there for tourists. 

Fig. 2: Diverse Impact of Maritime Tourism on Blue Economy.

The government has adopted policy measures including tourism investment being identified as special economic zones and incentivizes to public-private partnerships (GoB, 2021). Greater alignment of planning, however, is necessary to ensure that infrastructure improvement is in line with sustainability and community requirements. Developing ecotourism-friendly marinas, green-certified hotels and climate-resilient transport infrastructure can increase the appeal of Bangladesh as maritime tourism destination.

Maritime Tourism- A Catalyst for Blue Economy

 The maritime tourism helps to achieve the economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings and poverty reduction of Bangladesh. The blue economy currently accounts for about 3% of GDP, with the tourism contribution in its infancy (World Bank, 2022). The growth of coastal and marine tourism can help to create jobs in the hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and marine recreational services sectors. For instance, the Sabrang Tourism Park will bring as many as 15,000 jobs when in full swing (UNDP, 2023). Backward linkages are positive due to the growing demand for locally supplied goods and services that the SMEs can fill. Marine tourism can also increase foreign exchange earnings on account of the additional inflow of high spending foreign tourists. Expanding the range of tourism products, such as cruises, diving tours, and heritage tours can attract high yield markets and lengthen the average length of stay of visitors. In addition, tourist money can also be used to support conservation projects and upgrade local infrastructure, thus generating a virtuous circle that ensures economic development goes hand in hand with the protection of the environment.

Economic Significance of Maritime Tourism

The gross contribution of the ocean economy to the national GDP of Bangladesh is estimated to be 3%, and that from coastal tourism is one of its most significant and progressive sectors. The value added from the ocean economy is estimated at $US6.2 billion in 2015, from fisheries, ship building, ports activities and growing tourism services. Fisheries and shipping have historically been key sectors for profit from the ocean, but it is increasingly understood by decision makers that sustainable maritime tourism can deliver significant economic values. Although the potential of the sector is very high, maritime tourism's contribution to GDP is still relatively small because of the lack of infrastructure and the fragmented marketing approach. Global indicators reveal that in other similar countries, coastal tourism can contribute up to 30% to the value of the national blue economy (UNDP, 2023). Leveraging this potential could contribute significantly to GDP through earnings of foreign exchange, tax receipts, and expenditure in local economies for Bangladesh. Investment in strategic tourism infrastructure for example, turning Cox's Bazar into an international beach destination, construction of a cruise terminal in Chattogram, and establishment of new eco-tourism parks will have positive spillover effects across connected sectors such as transport, food processing, leisure and cultural industries. As Bangladesh seeks to ‘graduate' out of LDC status, through diversification of the economic base through maritime tourism instead of depending upon garments and remittances, a stronger and more resilient country in the long run.

Employment Generation

One of the most powerful reasons to foster maritime tourism is that it has job-creating potential unlike any other. The International Labour Organization (ILO, 2022), suggests that tourism investments could generate up to four times the number of jobs for every dollar spent by comparison with offshore non-renewable resource extraction. This is especially true for Bangladesh where labor market is characterized by chronic underemployment and limited employment apart from agriculture and fisheries. Cruise tourism creates both low- and highly skilled direct and indirect jobs. Direct employment involves hotel workers, tour providers, boat operators, guides and conservation staff. There are also jobs generated away from mine, such as in construction, agriculture, handicrafts and in local transportation, creating backward linkages contributing to wider economic development. For instance, Community Based Tourism (CBT) in the Sundarbans and Saint Martin's Island has been a successful model to generate additional income and develop alternative livelihoods.

A flagship case in point is the Sabrang Tourism Park which is expected to directly create 15,000 jobs once in full swing (Report, T. B. S. (2021, February 13)). This initiative along with other planned investments in eco-resorts and coastal infrastructure makes clear that maritime tourism can be a game changer for employment. Upscaling such efforts, along with capacity-building and incentives for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), will be required if maritime tourism is to contribute to inclusive growth, women's and youth empowerment, and poverty reduction in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Environmental and Social Dimensions- Biodiversity Conservation

Tourism based on the ocean might become an important part of the public agenda and a driving force behind protecting and using fragile habitats in a way that is good for the environment. Bangladesh's beaches and marine domain, which include coral reefs, mangroves and intertidal mudflats, are important for many vulnerable and unique species that provide valuable ecosystem services. Bangladesh's Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the country's most popular ecotourism destinations. But the fast growth of tourism, which often doesn't care much about the environment, has put a lot of stress on the natural resources. Throwing open the doors to visitors, failing in waste management and accommodating high density of boat traffic has reportedly resulted in loss of habitat, littering of plastic and disturbance of animals like turtles and birds. Currently, there have been reports of severely degraded reef communities of Saint Mar n's Island, where anchor damage, uncontrolled resort development and draining of raw sewage, attributed to inadequate sanitation, are posing risks to the same reefs (Hossain & Rahman, 2023). 

This is why strong environmental protections are necessary for maritime tourism to be a long-term driver of the blue economy. These options include making maritime and protected areas accessible, controlling carrying capacity, encouraging zero waste, and setting criteria for ethical wildlife viewing. Putting money into educating visitors and training and certifying tour operators could also help protect biodiversity. Without careful conservation, tourism could cause the environments it is built on to die

Community Involvement

The community's role in planning, maintaining and benefiting from tourism is just as important as protecting the environment. It makes sure that tourism doesn't turn into an extractive industry that only foreign investors control. Instead, it should help people make a living, protect their culture and give locals a sense of ownership. Community-based tourism (CBT) approaches have shown promise in promoting economic and social empowerment in Bangladesh. For instance, programs in the Sundarbans and Cox's Bazar have motivated villagers to become eco guides, homestay hosts and craftsmen. This has given them more ways to make money and a cause to protect the environment (UNDP, 2023). Communities that make money from tourism are more inclined to support the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems and traditional activities that add to the area's cultural richness and make it a more desirable place to visit.

Bangladesh is different from other countries because of its cultural heritage. Combining traditional boatbuilding, the seaside festivals and folk performances into one of the visitor experiences could help people feel more connected to their culture and with each other. To get the most out of these benefits, communities need to invest in programs that teach them about hospitality, marketing and environmental management.

Ultimately, the two are interdependent, the effectiveness of conservation hinges on community engagement. Without strong environmental protections and fair participation, maritime tourism can't be a long-term engine of change in the blue economy.

Bangladesh's Maritime Tourism Landscape

Key Attractions and Potentials

There are numerous things about Bangladesh's marine tourism that could draw in both local and international visitors. But their potential for growth is constrained by serious environmental and management issues that need to be addressed by policy. This section will talk about those issues.

Cox's Bazar - is the most developed tourist destination in the country. It is famous for its long sandy beaches, great marine life, waves that are great for surfing and cultural festivals that happen every other year. Even while this is a solid point, the amount of plastic waste being made is so huge that it is overwhelming current disposal plans, putting marine life at risk and driving away valuable tourists. Stricter waste disposal facilities and community-based beach cleaning programs are needed to keep it attractive. 

Saint Martin's Island - The Island is known for its coral reefs, sea turtles and turquoise waters. Over the last decade visitors have exploded beyond the ecologically sustainable limits and coral damage and consequential habitat loss are now evident. The destruction can be reversed only if regulators impose quotas for visitor numbers, limit boat anchoring and reward eco-certified resorts and tour operators.

The Sundarbans - Sundarbans offers like an other-worldly wildlife tourism experience with sightings of Bengali tigers, Irrawaddy dolphins and mangrove environments. However, sea level rise, salinity intrusion and resource exploitation erode this face of life. Climate adaptation measures, sustainable tourism recommendations are urgently necessary for this especially globally significant region.

Kuakata - is one of the underdeveloped tourist destinations, it is to be noted, that it is a place from where both sunrise and sunset can be seen. Its tourism potential is handicapped by bad roads, poor sanitation, and coastal erosion. By promoting cultural tourism associated with fishing villages and targeted infrastructure development Kuakata can emerge as a new ecotourism destination.

Table 1: Key Attractions Opportunities and Weakness.