Bangladesh, Nov. 12 -- Bangladesh needs to strengthen its tourism infrastructure, improve service quality, and ensure stronger policy support to compete with neighboring countries, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Dr. Nurun Nahar Chowdhury, noting that the country has yet to make effective use of its considerable natural and historical attractions.

Comparing Bangladesh with Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India, she said these countries had developed their tourism industries more professionally and successfully established the sector as a major contributor to their national economies.

"Why have they succeeded while we have not? We have resources. What we lack is support, whether in infrastructure or policy, and profe...