Challenges and Scope of Tourist Policing in Bangladesh: An Analysis

The global economy widely recognizes the tourism industry as a very prosperous and financially rewarding sector. The tourism sector is experiencing sustained growth in emerging and developed nations. Safety and security are crucial for achieving excellence in tourism. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the inherent difficulties associated with tourist policing and to examine the extent of their implementation in Bangladesh. The study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing secondary sources to analyze the study's relative issues through thematic analysis. This study outlines the challenges faced by the tourist police in Bangladesh, including the controversy surrounding tourist destinations, infrastructure issues, manpower shortages, insufficient logistics support, planning and evaluation requirements, short-term posting, the deployment of untrained personnel, inadequate ICT-based tourism orientation, limited social media and online engagements, social and political instability, and conservatism. Tourist police play a crucial role in cultivating a robust brand image for tourist destinations, building tourist trust, promoting responsible tourism and eco-tourism, and contributing to the advancement of the tourism sector and economic growth in Bangladesh. Finally, this study suggests placing significant importance on training and skill development, providing enough logistical support, fostering cooperation among stakeholders, and improving coordination to prioritize providing a sense of security to tourists and ensure timely and effective responses to their needs. Keywords: Challenge, Policing, Safety, Security, Tourism. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/143-03 Publication date: October 30 th 2024