The first Surf Club in Bangladesh has been inaugurated in Cox’s Bazar by Robert W. Gibson, CMG, High Commissioner for Britain in Bangladesh on June 23, 2014. Speaking at the official opening of this unique new Beachfront Boutique Resort, the High Commissioner described this development as an expression of how British expertise, combined with skilled Bangladesh investment, could make a major contribution to both job creation and foreign exchange generation for the country.
The local investors of the project are Engr. Aminul Islam and Engr. Sadid Jamil.
The initiative by Bangladesh investors to support the arrival of socially sensitive, environmentally conscious, wealthier foreign tourists is, he said, ‘a unique initiative that recognises the reluctance of, even, Bangladesh based expatriates to weekend, or holiday, beside any of the extensive sea beaches in the country’. ‘Cox’s Bazar has developed from the small market centre founded for Captain Hiram Cox, into a flourishing centre of internal tourism.
Such tourism, around the world, is the easiest, but least profitable, of the three main sectors of the flourishing, worldwide tourism industry; the export of tourists, with its inevitable damage to the national economy, is also growing in Bangladesh. Sadly, the most vital sector, the attraction of inbound tourists, languishes at low levels of achievement.
’Boutique holiday resort’
If Bangladesh could reach international average levels of employment and foreign exchange income generated by such tourism, it could create over 4 million much needed jobs, and attract over $10 billion in foreign exchange income’.
‘The Surf Club’, he said, ‘is a British developed concept, designed and engineered by British specialists. Its construction has been overseen by a British consultant. With beach, heritage and environmental activities led by specialists, including Britain’s world leading water and beach safety specialists, the Royal patronised, Royal National Lifeboat Institute, the enjoyment and safety of visitors is under the banner, ‘Relax, it’s the Surf Club’, this is the first, true, seaside holiday facility in Bangladesh’.
‘This begins as a boutique holiday resort,’ commented Consultant, Tim Steel, ‘with potential for significant further development. The Surfer’s Kitchen will offer British cuisine, including the famous Fish n Chips, and Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, as well as distinctive breakfast, mid morning snacks, light lunches, and traditional afternoon teas. In fact, a traditional British seaside holiday, including spade and bucket castle building under expert care for the young, plenty of activity for the teens and twenties, and the most relaxing sea views in Bangladesh, for all!’
Room rates, in the spacious double rooms, with both national and international influences, range from about $35 per person. A well stocked shop, retailing sea and beach accessories, including boards, fashions, and tour and tuition facilities, will open in early August, as Surfers Paradise.
Already heavily booked by the international communities, levels of occupancy in the limited initial number of rooms, are anticipated to be high, with a friendly and informal atmosphere encouraging return visits. In the first two weeks, one guest has already returned, and UK, USA and Bangladesh are amongst the nations represented in the Visitor’s Book.
Source: Weekly Holiday
