Stalled Infrastructure and Security Concerns Hamper Decade-Long Cox’s Bazar Tourism Projects
The development of the Sabrang Tourism Park in Teknaf has stalled for a decade, leaving a 967-acre project aimed at revitalizing Bangladesh’s tourism sector largely unfulfilled. Despite being envisioned as a world-class destination capable of attracting 39,000 daily visitors and creating 35,000 jobs, the project has been hampered by persistent coastal erosion, critical infrastructure deficits, and administrative delays.
Managed by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the project was intended to feature luxury five-star hotels, eco-tourism facilities, marine aquariums, and underwater restaurants. According to BEZA, 28 investors have been allocated 120 acres of land with investment proposals totaling roughly $460 million. However, the site remains underdeveloped. Currently, the project is monitored by a skeleton staff of five, who struggle to manage the hundreds of tourists who visit daily despite the lack of basic amenities such as restrooms, passenger shelters, or reliable dining options.
Environmental factors remain a significant hurdle. Coastal erosion has repeatedly damaged site defenses, with officials noting that previously installed geo-bag embankments have been swept away by tidal surges. While new boundary walls and protective barriers are currently under construction, the progress has been slow. Furthermore, plans to build a permanent jetty near the site’s iconic clock sculpture—intended to provide direct sea access for tourists traveling to Saint Martin’s Island—are still in the preparatory phase.
Tourism stakeholders express frustration over the missed economic potential. Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Resort Owners Association, noted that the lack of infrastructure prevents the country from effectively competing for the international market. While domestic tourists continue to flock to the area to enjoy the scenic Marine Drive and the hundreds of colorful fishing boats moored along the shore, the absence of intended facilities like children’s parks and high-end hospitality services limits the overall visitor experience.
Parallel to the struggles at Sabrang, the Naaf Tourism Park—a planned island-based development on the 271-acre Jaliardip—has been effectively suspended for two years. Although initial infrastructure, including land reclamation and bridge construction, was completed by mid-2023, the project remains on hold. Officials attribute the stoppage to the site's sensitive location along the Naf River, citing security concerns arising from instability in the neighboring Rakhine state of Myanmar.
As the government aims to prioritize these developments over the next decade, local officials and tourism experts emphasize that the successful realization of these zones is essential to diversifying Bangladesh’s tourism industry. Until the issues of coastal stability and infrastructure investment are resolved, both projects remain promising concepts rather than operational assets.
