Rohingya issues, sustainability, and development in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors
Manzoor, Farhan ; Hoque, Injamamul
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-04-18
Pages
88
Abstract
Tourism is a key driver of Bangladesh’s economy, with Cox’s Bazar serving as a flagship destination. Since 2017, a large influx of Rohingya refugees has disrupted the local tourism environment and raised concerns among visitors and industry actors. This thesis examines how the influx affects different tourism stakeholders and what long‑term measures can support more sustainable destination development. Using a mixed‑methods design with convenience sampling, the study surveyed 120 respondents through a structured questionnaire combining closed and open questions. Analyses included descriptive statistics and cross‑tabulations to assess economic losses and vulnerability, alongside conceptual analysis of open‑ended responses to identify social and environmental effects. Most respondents reported reduced income during the influx; uneducated, lower‑income, and migrant stakeholders were the most vulnerable. Commonly cited problems include security concerns, price increases, overcrowding, and changes in land cover. The main perceived threats are fewer tourists, declining attractions, industry contraction, and safety issues. The findings can inform strategic management of tourism in Cox’s Bazar that engages both local residents and Rohingya refugees as partners, emphasizing mitigation of negative impacts while recognizing any positive contributions for communities and stakeholders.
Turisme er en vigtig drivkraft for Bangladeshs økonomi, og Cox’s Bazar er en af landets mest centrale destinationer. Siden 2017 har en stor tilstrømning af Rohingya-flygtninge påvirket det lokale turismemiljø og skabt bekymringer blandt besøgende og erhvervsaktører. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan tilstrømningen påvirker forskellige interessenter i turismen, og hvilke langsigtede tiltag der kan understøtte en mere bæredygtig udvikling af destinationen. Studiet anvender en mixed-methods-tilgang med bekvemmelighedsudvælgelse; 120 respondenter deltog via et struktureret spørgeskema med både lukkede og åbne spørgsmål. Data blev analyseret med deskriptiv statistik og krydstabeller for at vurdere økonomiske tab og sårbarhed, samt konceptuel analyse af fritekstsvar for at identificere sociale og miljømæssige effekter. De fleste respondenter rapporterede indtægtsnedgang under tilstrømningen; især er ufaglærte, lavindkomst- og tilflyttede aktører mest sårbare. Udbredte problemer omfatter sikkerhedsbekymringer, prisstigninger, trængsel og ændringer i arealdække. Opfattede hovedtrusler er færre turister, mindre attraktivitet, en krympende branche og forringet sikkerhed. Resultaterne kan understøtte strategisk planlægning for turismen i Cox’s Bazar, hvor både lokale beboere og Rohingya-flygtninge ses som partnere i udviklingen, med fokus på at afbøde negative effekter og fremhæve eventuelle positive indvirkninger for lokalsamfund og interessenter.
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