The Evolution of Maritime Tourism in Bangladesh: A Theoretical Framework for Sustainable Growth

Bangladesh, strategically located along the Bay of Bengal, holds immense potential for maritime tourism, a key component of the Blue Economy. With over 710 kilometers of coastline, the country is home to renowned attractions such as Cox’s Bazar, the longest natural sea beach in the world, and the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite this, the maritime tourism sector in Bangladesh remains underdeveloped, and its economic potential has not been fully realized. This study constructs a theoretical framework for the sustainable evolution of maritime tourism in Bangladesh, a sector poised to be a cornerstone of the nation's Blue Economy. While the country's extensive coastline and unique assets like the Sundarbans and Cox's Bazar present significant potential, our analysis reveals that this potential is critically undermined by a confluence of systemic failures. These include pervasive environmental degradation, profound infrastructure deficits, and a regulatory landscape characterized by fragmentation and inertia. The paper argues that the absence of a dedicated, integrative policy framework is the primary barrier, exacerbating vulnerabilities to climate change and stifling inclusive growth. We propose a sustainability-centered framework that prioritizes institutional coherence, community-centric development, and climate-resilient infrastructure, contending that such an integrated approach is not merely beneficial but essential for transforming maritime tourism into a viable engine of long-term socio-economic and environmental resilience. Climate change adaptation strategies are also an essential component of this framework, given Bangladesh’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and extreme weather events that threaten its coastal regions. The findings underline the importance of a coordinated approach, which includes stronger policy frameworks, enhanced infrastructure, and increased community participation to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations for policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and local communities to develop and implement practices that will enable Bangladesh to unlock the full potential of its maritime tourism sector while preserving its unique marine ecosystems.