REFINING TOURISTS’ PLACE EXPERIENCE THROUGH PLACEMAKING: A CASE STUDY OF DHAKA

by

Sharmin Afroz Shumi

MASTER OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

Department of Urban and Regional Planning Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Dhaka February 2011 REFINING TOURISTS’ PLACE EXPERIENCE THROUGH PLACEMAKING: A CASE STUDY OF DHAKA

Submitted by SHARMIN AFROZ SHUMI

Roll 040515048, Session April 2005

A thesis submitted to the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning by course and thesis.

DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DHAKA, BANGLADESH

February 2011

Dedicated to

My loving husband

Sirajul Amin

&

My son Ruslan Riasatal Amin

My daughter Ludmila Arishah Amin

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

My deepest gratitude is to Almighty Allah for granting me the opportunity to complete the thesis. Alhamdulillah.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to a number of people for their contribution in assisting and guiding me to complete this thesis. In particular, to my thesis supervisor, Dr. Roxana Hafiz, Professor, Department of urban and Regional Planning, Dean, Faculty of Architecture & Urban and Regional Planning, BUET for her guidance, encouragement and motivation. Without her support it would have been difficult for me to come to this stage.

I would like to show my gratitude to Dr. Sarwar Jahan, Professor and Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, BUET, for cooperation and support during the research. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ishrat Jahan, Associate Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, BUET, for her valuable recommendation about the thesis. I am also very appreciative to all the teachers of the department for their guidance and advices during the course of my study. Thanks to my external examiner Dr. Abu Syeed M. Ahmed, Department of Architecture, University of Asia Pacific. I am also thankful for the cooperation and assistance on different stages of academic procedure extended by the staffs of the Department of URP and DAERS, BUET.

Thanks to all government and non-government agencies specially RAJUK, Dhaka City Corporation, Immigration Department, Special Branch of Police, tour operators and professionals for their co-operation in data collection and questionnaire survey. I am also grateful to Ria, Tonu, Tazwar, Jashim, Marzina and a number of people for their constant co-operation in the successful completion of this research.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Afrin, for her cordial assistance throughout the Thesis.

I am grateful to my parents whose prayers are always with me and who made me to come this long with their unconditional support and inspiration.

Finally, this research would not have been possible without co-operation of my husband Sirajul Amin. My deepest gratitude goes to him for his concern about my study, encouragement, love and never-ending support from near and far.

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ABSTRACT

Tourist Experience is one of the important aspects in tourism. It is comprised of place experiences, services, travel motivations, interactions among other tourists and locals, cultural back grounds, and many more. The experience created usually determines whether a visit is successful or not. By recognizing and managing positive and negative attributes in physical environments, designers can continually update their understanding of tourists’ expectation, and seek new ways of shaping places for visitors that maximize positive experience. Tourist-satisfaction has much to do with how well a place meets visitor expectations and then exceeds them, approaching an ideal state.

This research is embarked to form early ground works towards refining tourists’ place experience in Dhaka by enhancing place character through place making. This study is necessary to assist urban designers and tourism planners in determining the most appropriate refinement strategies for tourist attraction spots of the city. It also can influence the policy makers to take initiative to create an enjoyable city of Dhaka both for tourists and its Residents.

In this study, evaluation of place experience is conducted on tourists that visit Dhaka. Place characters that have significant roles in creating a quality experience are also identified. Model of Attitude Measurement (MAM) is used to assess the differences and gaps between expectations with actual experience, in relation to the place characters evaluated. The study also analyses tourist segments and typologies as well as tourist routes in Dhaka.

Results of this study reveal that Dhaka possesses all of the criteria that can generate a positive place experience if some appropriate measures can be taken. Their overall tourist experiences are also positive. Therefore, from this positive place experience, existing place characters can be enhanced in order to produce a more refined tourist’s place experience in future. Some strategies to refine place characters of Dhaka to refine the experience of tourists have also been recommended in the document.

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Table of contents

Page Acknowledgement i Abstract ii Table of Contents iii List of Tables vi List of Figures vii List of Abbreviation ix

Chapter 1: Introduction ...... 1-5

1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Problem Statement 2 1.3 Objectives with Specific Aims 4 1.4 Rationale of the Study 5 1.5 Possible Outcomes of the Study 5

Chapter 2: Research Methodology ...... 6-17 2.1 Nature of research 6 2.2 Scopes of Research 6 2.3 Theoretical Propositions of the Study 7 2.4 Study Period 7 2.5 Research Method 7 2.5.1 Literature Review 8 2.5.2 Selection of the Study Area 8 2.5.3 Data Collection 8 2.5.4 Population 9 2.5.5 Sampling 10 2.5.6 Survey Instrument 11 2.5.7 Analysis and Recommendations 14 2.5.8 Organization of the Research 15 2.6 Limitation of the Study 16

Chapter 3: Literature Review ...... ………………………………………….. 19-30 3.1 Introduction 19 3.2 Travel Motivation 19 3.3 Place 19 3.3.1 Concepts of Place 20 3.4 Place Experience 21 3.4.1 Types of Place Experience 21 3.5 Placemaking 22 3.5.1 Criteria for Making Better Settings through Placemaking 22 3.6 Tourist Experience 24 3.6.1 Type of Tourists 24 3.6.2 Concepts of Tourist Experience 25 3.6.3 Process of Tourist Experience 26 3.6.4 Tourist Experience in Urban Area 28 3.7 Model of Attitude Measurement 28 3.7.1 The Study’s Working Model 29

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Chapter 4: Placemaking around the World ……………………………….. 31-44 4.1 Introduction 31 4.2 Paris, France 31 4.3 Camden HighStreet, London, England 33 4.4 Las Ramblas , Barcelona , Spain 34 4.5 Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland 35 4.6 Acland, Melbourne, Australia 35 4.7 United Arab Emirates 36 4.8 Kuala lumpur, Malaysia 37 4.9 Dhaka , Bangladesh 39 4.9.1 Outcome of the restoration project 42

Chapter 5: Place Character of Dhaka………………………………………. 45-62 5.1 Introduction 45 5.2 Dhaka City as a Place 45 5.2.1 Image and Identity of Dhaka 46 5.2.2 Spatial Characteristics of Dhaka 47 5.2.3 Place Experience in Dhaka 50 5.3 Tourism Products of Dhaka 55 5.4 Tourist Experience in Dhaka 56

Chapter 6: Data Analysis …………………………………………... 63-93 6.1 Introduction 63 6.2 Survey on Tour Operators 63 6.2.1 Most Popular Tourist Route in Dhaka 64 6.2.2 Popular Places for Tourist in Dhaka 65 6.2.3 Tourist Demographics according to the Tour Operators 68 6.2.4 Safety Measures Taken by the Operators 69 6.2.5 Number of English Speaking guide 69 6.2.6 Recommendations of the Tour Operators 69 6.3 Survey on City Dwellers 69 6.3.1 Profile of the Interviewers 69 6.3.2 Leisure Activity of the City Dwellers 70 6.3.3 Mode of Transport Getting around Dhaka city 71 6.3.4 Travel Experience in Abroad 72 6.3.5 Places in Dhaka for Spending Time 72 6.3.6 Recommendations by City Dwellers 76 6.4 Survey on Tourists 77 6.4.1 Tourist Profile 77 6.4.2 Preferred Places by the Foreign Tourist in Dhaka 82 6.4.3 Place Experience Analysis 85 6.4.4 Analysis of Place Characters Using MAM 88 6.4.5 Gap Analysis 89 6.4.6 Analysis of Overall Tourist Experience 90 6.4.7 Evaluation of Tourist Experiences in Dhaka 92 6.4.8 Significant Findings of the Tourist Survey 93

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Chapter 7: Strategies to Improve and Increase Tourists’ Visits in Dhaka by Integrating Urban Planning with Urban Design and Development…….. 94-123

7.1 Introduction 94 7.2 Strategies to create great public places in Dhaka 94 7.2.1 Determining the character of the public spaces 94 7.2.2 Public Goals should be the Primary Objective 95 7.2.3 Building on Existing Assets and Context 95 7.2.4 Creating Multiple-use Destinations 96 7.2.5 Connecting the Destinations 97 7.2.6 Maximizing Opportunities for Public Access 98 7.2.7 Balancing Environmental Benefits with Human Needs 98 7.2.8 Making Big Changes through Small Steps 99 7.3 Placemaking through Better settings 100 7.4 Refining Tourists’ Place experience 132 7.5 Recommendations for Future Research 134 7.6 Conclusion 134

References ………………………………………………………………. 135-141

Appendices ………………………………………………………………. 142-155

Appendix I : Questionnaire Appendix II : List of 100 Tourist Attraction Spots Selected by Parjatan Corporation Appendix III : List of Tour Operators Appendix IV : List of 10 Selected Tour Operators

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List of Tables

Table 3.1 : Concepts of Place 20 Table 3.2 : Concepts of Tourist Experience 26 Table 3.3 : Factors to consider in evaluating the urban tourist experience 28 Table 6.1 : City Dwellers Preferred Shopping Venues 74 Table 6.2 : Preferred Attraction Spots of City Dwellers within the City 76 Table 6.3 : Importance of Place Characters to the Tourists 86 Table 6.4 : Experience of Place Characters in Dhaka by the Tourists 86 Table 6.5 : Place Characters Mean Scores 88 Table 6.6 : Differences of Mean Scores (Values) 89 Table 6.7 : Gap Values in Ascending Orders 90 Table 6.8 : Overall Tourist Experience Evaluation 91

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List of Figures

Figure 2.1 : Flow Chart of the Research Methodology 18 Figure 3.1 : Concepts of Place 21 Figure 3.2 : Tourist Experience 26 Figure 3.3 : Tourist’s Place Experience Process 27 Figure 3.4 : The Four Cells of the Fishbein’s Measurement of Attitude 29 Figure 3.5 : Placemaking and Tourist’s Place Experience 30 Figure 4.1 : Dhanmondi Lake Renovation project 40 Figure 4.2 : Dhanmandi lake & lake side developement project 41 Figure 4.3 : Dhanmondi area and the lake before development 42 Figure 5.1 : Location of Important Features in Old Dhaka 48 Figure 6.1 : Location of Major Tourist Spots & Most Popular Tourist Route 64 Figure 6.2 : Location of Most Visited Shopping Centre in Dhaka City 66 Figure 6.3 : Location of Tourist Preferred Places for Dining in Dhaka City 67 Figure 6.4 : Age Group of Respondents 70 Figure 6.5 : Occupation of Respondents 70 Figure 6.6 : Activities of the City Dwellers during Leisure Time 71 Figure 6.7 : Mode of Transport getting around Dhaka by the City Dwellers 72 Figure 6.8 : Travel Experience of City Dwellers in Foreign Country 72 Figure 6.9 : Preferred Shopping Venues of the City Dwellers 73 Figure 6.10 : Preferred Dining Venues of the City Dwellers 75 Figure 6.11 : Gender Scenario of the Foreign Tourist Interviewed 77 Figure 6.12 : Age Group of Touists 77 Figure 6.13 : Country of Residence of Tourists 78 Figure 6.14 : Educational Background of Tourists 78 Figure 6.15 : Occupation of Tourists 78 Figure 6.16 : Main Purpose of Visiting Dhaka 79 Figure 6.17 : Party Composition 78 Figure 6.18 : Mode of Transport 80 Figure 6.19 : Most Visited Tourist Accommodation in Dhaka 81 Figure 6.20 : Prior Experience in Dhaka 82 Figure 6.21 : Tourist Attraction Visited in Dhaka 82

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Figure 6.22 : Education and Cultural Spots Visited by Tourists 84 Figure 6.23 : Shopping Venus Visited by Tourist in Dhaka 85 Figure 6.24 : Dining Places for Tourist in Dhaka 85 Figure 6.25 : Comparison between Perceived Importance and Actual Place Experience by Tourists in Dhaka 87 Figure 6.26 : Model of Attitude Measurement on the Tourists’ Place Experience 88 Figure 6.27 : Difference of Mean Scores 89 Figure 6.28 : Overall Tourist Experience Evaluation 91 Figure 6.29 : Evaluation of Tourist Experience in Dhaka 92

Figure 7.1 : Character of the Public Spaces 94 Figure 7.2 : Existing Assets and Context 95 Figure 7.3 : Multiple Use Destinations 96 Figure 7.4 : Connecting the Destinations 97 Figure 7.5 : Maximizing Opportunities for Public Access 98 Figure 7.6 : Boardwalks provides opportunities to interact with wildlife along natural shorelines. 99 Figure 7.7 : Temporary uses might provide a successful example of how low-cost improvements with their surroundings to create great destinations. 100 Figure 7.8 : International standard Convention Centres/Accommodation/ Shopping Mall to accommodate tourists. 101 Figure 7.9 : High standard flea market with ample walking space providing exclusive tourism product. 103 Figure 7.10 : Seating/waiting area in busy Township 103 Figure 7.11 : Recreation facilities in the city. 104 Figure 7.12 : Unscociable places. 104 Figure 7.13 : Places fostering public interaction 105 Figure 7.14 : Squares and Plazas in the city to enhance placemaking 107 Figure 7.15 : Different kind of seating option in Squares and Plazas in the city to enhance placemaking 108 Figure 7.16 : Plants creating canopy over roads and creating different kind of experience. 109

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Figure 7.17 : Information centre/ Display Hall/ Souvenir shop/café all under same roof at strategic places. Street lighting plays major role for making a vibrant place. 110 Figure 7.18 : Creating pattern and sequence through six season gardens along the patterned parking area in the foreground. 111 Figure 7.19 : Urban trails create unique sightseeing experience within the city. 112 Figure 7.20 : Shakrain –an unique celebration of the people of old Dhaka. 113 Figure 7.21 : Food draws people. 114 Figure 7.22 : Chawk Bazar food street of old Dhaka during Ramadan – it can be turned into a great destination for tourist if it becomes a round the year event and greater accessibility is ensured. 115 Figure 7.23 : National Assembly Building area can be a vibrant place for the city. Photography with National Assembly Building of Bangladesh 115 Figure 7.24 : River Cruise experience can be a memorable one if the river banks are planned deliberately. 116 Figure 7.25 : Present way of dining can be converted into a sophisticated dining experience. 117 Figure 7.26 : Instead of untreated river side, stepped bank can be a good place for enjoying the river. 117 Figure 7.27 : Well designed bridges can be a place of attraction if a standing place is provided accordingly. Well paved walkway is a treasure to the River bank. 118 Figure 7.28 : Defferent kind of sitting arrangement along the riverside parks, walkway enhances the public space quality. 118 Figure 7.29 : Well defined places for multiple kind of activity can make the place more vibrant. 119 Figure 7.30 : walkway and sitting arrangement along the River 119 Figure 7.31 : Jogging trail, sitting arrangement and open to theatre by the River side 119 Figure 7.32 : Fishing deck and bird feeding point. 120 Figure 7.33 : Exhibition Area. 120 Figure 7.34 : Water features that can be turned off without hampering aesthetic value of the area as well as it can make the adjacent area cooler

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during summer while it’s in use. 121 Figure 7.35 : Water features and its uses. 121 Figure 7.36 : Lighting as Aesthetical features . 123 Figure 7.37 : Night Lighting and Aesthetically designed bridges . 125

Figure 7.38 : Parks and plazas adjacent to very large buildings should include some kind of overhead plane to create spatial enclosure and make the space feel human in scale. Trellises, trees and umbrellas are all effective means of achieving this. 127 Figure 7.39 : A pedestrian walkway designed to accommodate an exhibition during walk. 128 Figure 7.40 : Sunken Sitting Area. 128 Figure 7.41 : Excellent features for resting and photo shooting as well as. 128 Figure 7.42 : Miscellaneous example of creative place making through weather control 129 Figure 7.43 : Miscellaneous example of creative place making through sculpture 129 Figure 7.44 : Parks can always serve as transition points, resting place or

alternative venues to conduct activities and festivals. 131

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BPC Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation

BTTF Bangladesh Travel & Tourism Fair

DCC Dhaka City Corporation

RAJUK Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (City Development Authority)

MAM Model of Attitude Measurement

PPS Project for Public Spaces

WTTC World Travel and Tourism Council

UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction Experiencing places is an integral process in tourism. The outcome of the experience will either have a long-lasting impact on the tourists or just merely a short-term impression of the place visited. When the interaction between places and tourist are really satisfying, tourists feel to visit those places again. Spaces created become places, and places act as the setting where tourists interact with the people and experience the environment of the destination visited. Experiences are also undoubtedly different from one tourist to another as each tourist brings with them diverse backgrounds, conceptions and expectations. Therefore, as designers and planners of places, it is vital to understand what makes a great destination in order to give a high quality of experience to tourists. In creating places for tourism, it is essential to focus on the characteristics of the place that appeal to tourists. At the same time, evaluation of tourists experience and satisfaction are also quite important.

In this regard, placemaking might be a tool to improve the status of a city as a successful tourist destination. Through placemaking, a city can meet the recreational, educational and emotional needs of tourist, both local and foreign. Small improvements to the city can bring dramatic changes – even improve cities’ chance of attracting and retaining visitors. Thus it can boost the economy also which contributes to the ultimate development of the area and consequently the city.

Placemaking is the process of retaining the essence of a place while improving its physical and psychological aspects so that people are attracted to that place [Canter, 1997]. It is the art and science of creating good public outdoor spaces where people want to gather. It is about programming outside spaces, not just letting them happen. The term placemaking began to be used in the 1970s by architects and planners to describe the process of creating squares, plazas, parks, streets and waterfronts that will attract people because they are pleasurable or interesting.

1 This thesis highlights some important attributes that share common ground between the field of city planning and tourism, where physical design meets tourist experience and satisfaction. Likewise, travellers are satisfied with their travel experiences when their expectations are met. And the way the tangible elements of attraction is designed gives shape to the intangible visitors’ experiences [Swarbrooke, 2002]. In this regard, the duty of a city planner is to find out the gap between tourists’ expectation and the real experience while travelling in a city. If the gap is large the tourist satisfaction level is low. Therefore, a high degree of tourist satisfaction is expected to be generated from a distinct and positive tourist experience in relation to the place characters evaluated [Zakaria, 2006]. And, here comes the scope of placemaking to refine the quality of spaces within the city to ensure increased number of visitors in the future.

1.2 Problem Statement Tourism is recognized as one of the major sector in the global services economy. The income that is generating from current global tourism boom provides opportunity for increased national income; and, most of the countries of the world irrespective of their level of economic development are active in drawing benefit out of it. In one hand it contributes to the social and economic development of a country and on the other helps to combat un-employment by creating direct and indirect jobs [Hawlader, 2007]. However, for reason unknown tourism industry received very little recognition in Bangladesh. All the past governments and policy makers for economic development have ignored this sector. As a result despite having great potentials, Bangladesh lags far behind in tourism.

In 2006 Malaysia received only 27,000 tourists from Bangladesh but after their participation in BTTF (Bangladesh Travel & Tourism Fair) 2009, they received 87,000 Bangladeshi tourists which is the highest (77%) growth in the whole world. Thailand received around 66,000 tourists from Bangladesh last year (2009). A minimum of 2000 Bangladeshi tourists visit India every day. Bhutan has doubled their inbound tourists from Bangladesh after their participation in BTTF 2009 [TOAB, 2010]. The reason behind the figure is crystal clear. In spite of having much

2 potential in this field we are not able to provide proper tourism infrastructure and facilities to our own people. So they are going abroad and searching for better places to spend their leisure time and holidays with their friends and families.

At present, the tourism industry of Bangladesh in at its infancy and it has a very small contribution to rapid growth of tourism in Asia, particularly in the South Asian region of the world where growth is approximately 8% as per the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The constraints for which the sector is struggling to keep up with the growth pace of other Asian countries are,

· Lack of effective policy and planning, · Inadequate destination infrastructure including environmental degradation, · Lack of developed tourism facilities, · Lack of access to skilled manpower, · Poor tourism awareness and · Lack of promotion.

Despite this, BPC estimates illustrate that annual growth of the inbound tourists over the last 8 years has been 8% on average. Apart from inbound tourists, due to a growing middle income population with higher disposable income, domestic tourism is also increasing with strong and sustained average growth rates of about 25% per annum. Hence, there is scope for improving both inbound and domestic tourist flow within the country [TOAB, 2010]

From 2000 to 2011, foreign visitors' grew from 2 lakh to 5.9 lakh in Bangladesh. Every year the number is increasing. Dhaka being the main entry point, a major share of these visitors also visits this city. In the year 2009, arrivals direct in Dhaka is about 2 lakhs which is about 70% of total arrival of foreign visitors in the country in that year [TOAB, 2010].

Dhaka has a cultural legacy of more than 400 years. Its urban history is a reflection of the changing fortunes of the sub-continent as a whole. Therefore, the city has

3 something interesting around every corner. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation states that there are over 100 tourists’ attraction spots in Dhaka [BPC, 2010]. An immense scope for tourists can be created through conscious urban planning and design and also by integrating the places of attraction to the city through proper planning. As there seems to be very limited opportunities in Dhaka for residents to spend their leisure time or short holidays within the city, it is assumed that, through placemaking the whole city can be revitalized. Moreover, by improving space quality and satisfying tourist experiences of places, increasing number of tourists can be attracted to the city.

Although the numbers are increasing in terms of arrivals, there is a concern pertaining to the overall tourist experience within the city. Tangible elements alone cannot ensure a positive tourist experience if what is offered does not match with what is expected and demanded. To ensure that the tourists have an interesting visit and a high possibility of future visits, their level of place experience and satisfaction have to be evaluated and refined accordingly. However, without an evaluation on the visitors place experience in Dhaka, it is difficult to take proper initiative to improve the place character of the city. Hence, the logical need to conduct such a study on Dhaka.

1.3 Objectives with Specific Aims The goal of the study is to contribute some knowledge to make Dhaka city as an attractive destination for both local and foreign visitors through the Place Making Process.

In this regard the specific objectives of the thesis are- · To identify places which tourists visit most in Dhaka, · To identify the place character and identify gaps between tourists expectations and reality, if any, · Formulate strategies to improve and increase tourist visits in Dhaka through integrating Place Making procedures into the process of urban planning, design and development.

4 1.4 Rationale of the Study As Bangladesh tourism lags behind in its growth and development and in attracting a significant number of tourists to visit its destinations, the situation therefore calls for the identification of the causes and formulation of policy and strategy measures. The findings of the present study may be of immense help in these contexts.

As there has been no major study covering this area, it is expected that this thesis will provide sufficient information about the scope of placemaking in Dhaka. Besides, policy makers, service providers and academicians will also be benefited from a study like this.

Furthermore, having much potential, urban planning related to tourism sector of Bangladesh lends itself to a systematic and structured study.

Finally, as an emerging research area, this study will provide additional knowledge and literature to the existing ones, and generate interest and thoughts for further research to issues related to the tourism industry in Bangladesh.

1.5 Possible Outcomes of the Study

Results of this thesis will suggest strategies for Dhaka to generate a positive place experience. Existing place characters can be enhanced based on overall tourist experiences in order to produce more refined place experience for tourist in the future.

A comprehensive understanding from the present trend will help the decision makers and planners to formulate policies to deal with the placemaking issue for visitors in Dhaka and accordingly recreate all the place of interest in Bangladesh more judiciously.

5 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Nature of Research The present study attempts to find out the determinants of attractiveness of Dhaka based on tourist’s expectation, experience and satisfaction with tourist related attributes of destination. Since existing research on tourists experience while visiting Dhaka tend to focus more on the wider aspect of experience such as services, life style, motivations with emphasis on place design and placemaking, nature of this study is exploratory rather than testing any hypothesis. An exploratory study aims to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it, conducted to formulate a more research problem or to develop hypothesis (Selltiz and Cook, 1962). By definition, an exploratory research involves investigation of problems on which little formal knowledge is available (Rahman, 1997). Being the nature of this study an exploratory one and using descriptive statistical tools rather than inferential statistical ones, the present study is both a theoretical as well as an empirical one.

2.2 Scopes of Research The study has attempted to cover five main areas. These include the study of (i) Evaluation of visitors expectation about the place-characteristics of any place. (ii) Evaluation of the tourist’s experience of a particular place based on its place character. (iii) Evaluation of gaps between tourists’ expectation and experience. (iv) Evaluation of tourists’ profile and trip characteristic to Dhaka. (v) Suggestions for reforms and improvements

The study has attempted both micro- and macro-level analyses. At the micro-level, activities of the tourist within the city have been explored and analyzed. In the macro- level analyses, the overall performance of Dhaka as a tourist destination has been measured.

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2.3 Theoretical Propositions of the Study Sufficient research-based literatures on tourism industry in Bangladesh are not available. On the basis of available literatures and expert opinion, an attempt has been done to draw some theoretical propositions and evaluate those in light of the analysis and findings. These broad propositions are related to the key issues of the research problem and have been developed to achieve the objectives of the study. These propositions along with scope of the thesis have defined the extent and coverage of the thesis and guided the acquisition of necessary data. Finally, some propositions have been put forwarded for policy and managerial implications. However, the propositions drawn for this study include the following:

Ø Bangladesh tourism industry is still not ready to provide necessary tourism infrastructure and facilities for the tourists visit Dhaka. Ø Adequate numbers of tourists do not visit the country and the existing tourism firms do not have the capacity to cater the tourists. Ø The overall place character of Dhaka is not strong enough to create a positive place experience among the tourists. Ø Placemaking can be an effective tool of refining tourists place experience within the city of Dhaka. Ø Dhaka can expect to become an important visiting destination by adopting effective and practical strategies in the context of the findings of this thesis

2.4 Study Period The field survey has been conducted and the field level data have been collected during the months from August to December 2010. Data collected for this study have been tabulated during the month of September to January 2011. The preparation of the report, editing, and finalizing touch have been done during the period from January to February 2011.

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2.5 Research Method

2.5.1 Literature Review The literature review aimed at establishing a clear understanding of the research area i.e. place, place experience, placemaking and tourist experience. Sources of information are books, journals, conference papers and other research publications and internet. The study design was also developed in this stage.

2.5.2 Selection of the Study Area Dhaka City Corporation area has been considered to be the study area, as it is the capital city and the findings here can be applied to other cities of the country.

2.5.3 Data Collection The data collected in this study is a combination of primary data and secondary data.

Primary Data: The primary data was acquired through field survey conducted in selected study areas of Dhaka city using self-administered questionnaires on foreign tourists, city dwellers and tour operators. Locations that were chosen for the survey are primarily along major tourist attraction spots of Dhaka and renowned tourist accommodations, popular shopping places, food outlets and tour operators’ office.

Data pertaining to the potentials of tourism development in Dhaka through placemaking have been collected from ten randomly selected tour operators through in-depth personal interview with pre-designed questionnaire. In order to understand the impressions of the tourists, an in-depth face-to-face interview with 100 foreign tourists and 100 city dwellers has been conducted. In the interview, respondents have answered some unstructured questions on their own and rated some other structured questions focused by the five points on the Likert Scale.

8 Some respondent executives or owners of tourism firms have taken time to provide answers and return the filled in questionnaires. Besides, the process of identifying tourist respondents from different countries, occupations, ages, sexes has taken time and thus a total of three months have been spent to complete the field survey.

Secondary Data: The secondary data had been obtained from relevant studies, reports, statistics and researches published by Bangladesh Tourism Organization, annual reports of Tourism Research by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), etc. Whatever limited secondary data could be made available those have been incorporated effectively, logically and carefully in this study. For this reason, relevant literatures on tourism in general have been collected from different newspapers, magazines, journals, periodicals, internets, and research reports. Souvenirs, brochures, travel handbooks, leaflet, and folders of different tour operators have also been found useful. Thus, attempt has been made to collect sufficient secondary data from all the above mentioned sources to define the research problem, develop a theoretical base, raise necessary arguments, justify logic, identify the constraints to the development of the positive place characters in Dhaka, draw effective policy and managerial implications for placemaking, and highlight potentials of tourism development in Dhaka through placemaking.

Collected information has been reviewed extensively to assimilate ideas for the research work, synthesize necessary concepts for the theoretical framework and justify logic of the comments.

2.5.4 Population The research problem along with its objectives and propositions indicated that data should be collected from the foreign visitors as well as those firms and parties who are directly or indirectly involved in the tourism activities of Bangladesh like Tour operators. At the same time, Experience and views of the city dwellers also require to analyze in order to set the strategies of Placemaking within Dhaka city. As such, the scope of different categories of population has been taken for this study is limited to the following:

9 i. Tourists: The study has included the foreign tourists visiting Bangladesh and local visitors. It has also chosen the foreign residents who are staying in Dhaka for their job purpose. It has basically confined itself to the study of tourists' perceptions of the place character of Dhaka. ii. Tourism Organizations: As Tour operators are the major role players in the development and business activities of the tourism industry. So, 10 selected tour operators are interviewed in order to trace out the tourist demographic, popular tourist route and strategies required to make Dhaka more attractive for tourist. iii. City Dwellers: They have been interviewed to evaluate existing facilities of the city to spend leisure time, find out activities they do to pass free time as well as to identify attractive spots of the city and the most important issue is to trace out the expectation of the city dwellers.

2.5.5 Sampling The foremost and important step of primary data collection is the selection of sample from which data is to be collected. It is mentioned earlier that the study has considered 3 categories of population.

In an attempt to gauge the perceptions/attitudes of tourists, a total number of 200 (100 domestic and 100 foreign) tourists have been selected in the sample of this category. The number 200 is taken from the arrival of 2 lakhs tourists in the year 2008 as its represents 1:1000 ratio (BPC, 2009). Respondents are specifically targeted on tourists from different countries, aged 18 and above and only limited to specific perimeters of area in Dhaka, which is primarily along different tourist attraction spots, entertainment and shopping places and accommodations in Dhaka. A total of 100 questionnaires are distributed among the available foreign tourists within the areas of Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara, Old Dhaka etc. Another 100 questionnaire was given to the local visitors visiting different attraction spots within Dhaka randomly.

10 One of the important criteria of the selection of tour operators was to include those who had at least five years' professional experience of dealing tours and tourists. A total number of ten private tour operators have been taken in the sample.

Top executives of the BPC have constituted the sample for the third category of respondents. Necessary information on their place experiences in Dhaka has been collected from this category. Finally, tourism experts, academicians, travel and tourism writers and professional guides have also been considered to collect their opinion through informal conversations.

2.5.6 Survey Instrument The survey instrument that is utilised in this study is tourist survey through researcher’s pre-test, observation, interviews and questionnaires etc. i) Reconnaissance Survey A reconnaissance survey has been conducted throughout the city before the commencement of the questionnaire Survey to enrich the questionnaire and to gather information regarding the existing city place characteristics, tourist attraction spots, tourist facilities and tourist availability in the study area through observation and by interviewing local people, experts and expatriates. ii) Pre-test A pre-test of questionnaire was done in order to refine and improve the questionnaire so that the respondents can better complete the surveys. Before launching the field survey, three-fold pilot surveys have been conducted to pre- test the questionnaires, modify the questions set and thus finalize them. The main purposes of these pilot surveys have been to test the availability of data, examine the practicability of the questions and understand about the topics to cover for such comprehensive interviews. Another purpose of the pilot survey was to be acquainted with the relevant technical aspects on the subject matter of the study. Thus these pilot surveys and pre-tests have served the purposes of improving the questionnaires.

11 In the pilot survey academicians, research experts and some selected respondents have been requested to express their opinion and give necessary suggestions in connection with finalizing the questionnaires. In the first phase, the questionnaires developed earlier by the researcher have been passed on to a few senior teachers of the faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of University of Dhaka. They provided some valuable suggestions to make those questionnaires simple and unambiguous so that respondents can easily understand the questions set there. In the second phase of pilot survey, some research experts has been consulted and corrections were done. Thereafter, the pilot survey has been conducted among the respondents. This phase of pilot survey included preliminary discussions and interviews with BPC executives, tour operators, and tourists. In light of the experience gained by the pilot survey, all three sets of questionnaires have been suitably amended. iii) Observation Observation method had been applied to note tourist activities and their behaviour on site. Informal activities engaged by the tourists could be used to further elaborate the rationale of their evaluations. The findings of the observation are mentioned in the following chapters. iv) Interviews Interview with officials of concerned agencies provided information regarding improvement and image creation for Dhaka and also highlighted gaps between placemaking and place experiences of tourists. v) Questionnaire survey This research undertakes an approach that considers the relative importance of itemised attitudinal components listed upon a questionnaire. Model of Attitude Measurement in this research uses the basis of the Personal Construct Theory which permits the construction of Likert scales that utilise variables that reflect attributes considered important by actual or potential users of a tourist zone (Ryan, 1995).

12 In case of the foreign tourists, information had been collected through a close-ended and self-administered questionnaire having five sections.

1. Questions regarding to the expectations of tourists and the degree of importance they attach to specific characters of places. In this regard, a 5 point Likert scale is used ranging from ‘very important’ to ‘important’ to note their expectation level. The characters of specific places had acted on variables that would represent major element in place experience.

2. The evaluative components had included questions indicating whether the particular place Dhaka posses the same degree of attribute as used in the first part. A 5-point Likert scale had been used and is ranged from ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’.

3. The levels of satisfaction experienced by the tourists pertain to evaluation of the tourists’ overall experience in Dhaka had been questioned out. This is also been measured through a 5-point rating scale of place experience factors that represents high quality experience.

4. The fourth part is all about the present place characteristics of Dhaka in its qualitative form.

5. The fifth section consists of information pertaining the respondent’s trip characteristics and tourist routes in Dhaka to find out the most visited place in the city.

Another questionnaire had been prepared for local visitors to know how they spend their leisure time within the city, where they usually go and had they ever been to abroad so that they can compare the qualities of a tourist destination with the existing Dhaka.

A questionnaire for the tour operators who operates tour within Dhaka was added just to explore the major route tourists usually cover during their visit to Dhaka.

In each cases recommendation has been collected from each group for refining tourists place experience within the city of Dhaka, which is included in the final part of the report.

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2.5.7 Analysis and Recommendations The data obtained had been classified, tabulated and presented in the form of maps, tables and graphs using different statistical techniques. Descriptive analysis is used to examine tourist’s profile, trip characteristics, tourist route and experience evaluation.

Fishbein’s Model of Attitude Measurement (Ryan, 1995) was applied to identify two important components of attitude: the evaluative component (expectation) and the importance of that belief (experience).

The final stage of the study is the formulation of recommendations and all the collected information had been put together in the form of a report.

Potentials of tourism development in Dhaka evaluating its place characteristics have been presented theoretically on the basis of responses given by the respondents and also on the basis of comments and arguments available in different secondary literature. Performance of tourism industry in Bangladesh has been measured in light of foreign currency earned from, employment generated by, and growth achieved in this sector. Presentation of simple mean-scores, calculated on the basis of responses made by the respondent tourists on a five-point Likert Scale, also reflects the performances as well as tourists' satisfaction on different tourism service- arrangements .Here, the nature of questions has been structured and the responses on the scale associated with the questions have been valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in order to convert the qualitative responses into quantitative forms. Thus the questionnaire designed for the respondent tourists incorporated objective questions each consisting of five dimensions. The perception scores obtained on these objective issues have been totalled first. The total value/score thus derived from each of such questions has then been averaged to find the mean value/score of the issue under consideration and indicate the extent of tourists' satisfaction on an average on each issue separately. Thus, these mean scores have been presented to indicate the extent of tourists' satisfaction on that particular tourism-service in Dhaka. Side by side, the overall mean perception-score has also been calculated to indicate the overall satisfaction of the tourists on the totality of place arrangements in Dhaka. In some of the cases, data

14 have been analyzed and interpreted through the use of conventional statistical tools like percentage, simple growth rate, and standard deviation. The standard deviation of the mean scores on different tourism issues has been calculated to show the range of differences among them and thus indicate whether they are meaningful in a sense that they are within the acceptable limit or narrow range.

2.5.8 Organization of the Research The write-up of this thesis has been organized in seven different chapters. Logical sequence has been maintained in framing and organizing the report. Chapter One starts with presentation of the introductory discussion. The chapter broadly includes preamble, Background of the study, the research problem, and objectives of the study, possible outcome of the study and justification of the study.

The purpose of Chapter two is to describe the research methods of the study. The content of this chapter includes the nature of the study, scope of the study, theoretical propositions of the study, literature review, population, sample size, sample selection procedure, data collection procedure both primary and secondary, preparation of questionnaire, data analysis and interpretation, organizational framework of the research report and limitations of the study.

Chapter three is all about literature review regarding different terms used in the title and description of different analytical tools.

Chapter four presents how placemaking is used as an effective tool for the overall improvement of city environment around the world.

Chapter five focuses on the place characteristics of Dhaka city.

Chapter six attempts to measure the performance of Dhaka as a tourist as well as explores the most popular tourist routes for the city dwellers and tourists in Dhaka. It also identifies the gap analysis between expectation and experience of tourists in Dhaka.

15 Chapter seven discusses how placemaking can be used to create positive place experience for tourists within Dhaka. It prescribes necessary suggestions for perfect placemaking in Dhaka and finally, concludes with remarks, and depicts the scope for further research.

2.6 Limitation of the Study The first and foremost among the limitations of this study is related with the samples selected for the study. It would be better and representative if the size of samples, especially in the case of foreign tourists, could be relatively larger. The present study has investigated only a total number of 100 of the foreign tourists mainly due to resource constraints. Only 100 respondent tourists out of the total inflow of about two lacs foreign tourists visiting Dhaka and large number of local tourists may or may not represent the total impressions of the tourists visiting different destinations in Dhaka. Nevertheless, since the study has considered a small number of tourists, the conclusion with regard to the visitors’ behaviours, preferences of tourists, and satisfaction on Dhaka tourism arrangements could never be considered as concrete judgment.

The second limitation is that, the questionnaire used as survey instrument is limited to self-administered measures. Respondents may understand or interpret the items asked in the questionnaire differently, as respondents have different academic background.

The third limitation was the non-availability of literature on placemaking in Dhaka. This has limited the researchers to develop any comprehensive insights into the problem under consideration and thus draw any precise hypothesis and test it accordingly.

The fourth limitation was related with the assessment of contribution made by the tourism sector in the economy. The foreign currency income alone does not reflect the real income of the country from tourism sector, No concrete calculation procedure is there to assess the actual income from tourism sector in Bangladesh, and

16 things are same about Dhaka. Besides this, there are some hidden expenditure of tourists and some income of different tourism firms, hotels and restaurants, travel agencies, private airline, and private tour operators could not be collected as they are not properly documented and could not be taken into account. Further, all these incomes have multiplier effect on the overall economy. Thus the non documentation and non availability of data lead to reflect or present a part of the total contribution of the tourism sector on the economy.

The fifth limitation was regarding limited time and funding. The survey was conducted between the months of August and December. Data results may only reflect or represent a period in a year, and not throughout a one year period and this was not the tourist season as well. Therefore, on this ground of time cons the findings of this study could be discounted at least to some extent. The fund was also not sufficient to execute such an extensive study.

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Problem Statement

Goal and Objectives

Literature Review

Concept of Place Placemaking Tourist Place Experience Experience

Data Collection

Primary Sources Secondary Sources 1.Questionnaire Previous Study, Reports, 2.Interview Journals, Statistics, 5.Observation published and unpublished materials, Including thesis, journal articles, books, etc.

Analysis and Synthesis

Place Characters Tourist Tourist Demand Evaluation Experience

Recommendation

Refine Tourist’s Place Experience through Placemaking

Fig 2.1: Flow Chart of the Research Methodology

18 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Introduction This thesis is about ‘refining tourists’ place experience through place-making in Dhaka and primarily deals with tourist experience of places and how this can be refined through pre-designed places or creating places. Before venturing to conduct the actual thesis, there is need to understand the key words of this thesis (ie. tourist, travel motivation, places, place making, making places through urban design and planning etc.) and what meaning they hold for the thesis. This is necessary into order to better understand the problem stated in this thesis and consequently for better analysis and fruitful solutions. Subsequently it briefly explains the Model of Attitude Measurement as a supporting tool to evaluate tourist experience.

3.2 Travel Motivation According to McIntosh, Goeldner and Ritchie (1995) there are few motivators of travel for which people go to places • Physical motivators: People do travel for refreshment of body and mind, health, sport and pleasure. They seek for activities which will reduce tension. • Cultural motivators: Some people have desire to see and know more about other cultures. Their main focus on the natives, their lifestyle, music, art, folklore, dances etc. • Interpersonal motivators: Some people have a great wish to meet new people, visit friends or relatives and by these they try to escape for sometime from the drudgery of life. At a time status and prestige, personal development, education, seek recognition and attention from others also counted as interpersonal motivators.

3.3 Place Place is a concentration around a focal point (Lekavalio, 2006). A place usually has a fixed location and features in forms that can be identified. Essentially place forms the basic elements that shape our experiences of the world. The concept of place has appeared in writings that both deal with the psychological and physical environment. 19

3.3.1 Concepts of Place Concepts of place are identified based on these literatures

Lukermann Six major components of the concept of place: (1964) 1. The idea of location can be described in terms of internal characteristics (site) and external connectivity to other locations (situation). 2. Place involves integration of elements of ‘nature’ and ‘culture’ which distinguishes it from the next place. Every place is a unique entity. 3. Although every place is unique, it is connected by ‘circulation’, a system of ‘spatial Interactions and transfers’. 4. Places are ‘emerging’ and ‘becoming’. Due to historical and cultural change, new elements are added and old elements disappear.

Relph 1. Places are experienced through its setting, landscape, ritual, routine, (1976) other people, personal experiences, care and concern for home and in the context of other places. Place cannot be experienced independently. 2. It is an all-round phenomenon of experience. 3. A place is a centre of action and intention where we experience events of our existence. This event is significant only in the context of certain places and is influenced by the character of those places.

Canter 1. Place has geographical, architectural and social connotation. (1997) 2. We define a place based on attributes that we use to describe it. 3. Place is a result of relationship between conceptions, activities and physical attributes.

Table 3.1: Concepts of Places (Source: Compilation by Researcher)

Based on these concepts, it can be derived that “Place” is a composition of elements related to not only the physical place itself, but also its users’ personalities and behaviours (Figure 3.1).

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Figure 3.1: Concepts of Place

3.4 Place Experience All places and landscapes are individually experienced, as it is the individuals alone that see them through the lenses of their attitudes, experiences, and intentions and from their unique Circumstances (Lowenthal, 1961). Places are differentiated because they involve a concentration of intentions, attitudes, purposes and experience. Steele (1981) notes that experience of place can never really be described as simply a function of its physical attributes. 3.4.1 Types of Place Experience According to Steele (1981), the types of place experience are: µ Immediate feelings and thoughts, µ View of the world, µ Occupational experience, µ Intimate knowledge of one spot, µ Memories and fantasies, µ Recognition or newness, µ Personal identification with someone’s “spot”, µ Sense of accomplishment or blockage caused by the setting, µ Sense of enjoyment, fun, or displeasure. 21

3.5 Placemaking Placemaking is about making places through ‘reinforcing place characters and place elements’. Placemaking is aimed to create better settings and functioning spaces for the intended users, while at the same time sustaining certain identities that belongs to that particular place. Gunn (1994) explains that placemaking is ‘the retention of the essence of place, while giving it new physical and psychological meaning’, while Motloch (1991) emphasizes that placemaking should include the effective management of order and spontaneity for understanding and exploration.

3.5.1 Criteria for Making Better Settings through Placemaking From the conceptual studies conducted previously, designing a place alone does not ensure that a place is created (PPS, 2003). Placemaking is an approach that aspires to create a place that has a strong sense of ‘‘placeness’’ and a comfortable image to its dwellers as well as outsiders. Additionally, the place shall also perform as a setting for activities and uses that collectively add up to the character of the place. Place making in totally is undeniably hard to accomplish as this approach must take into account the needs of the local community as its priority. These characters then shall be the elements that attract the tourist to come and experience a place that is new or different to them, which in return, the lack of sameness may produce a more memorable and special place experience.

Settings can be enhanced by identifying the lacking in place characters. Place characters that are present and can be sensed by the users who experience it produce a better and a more enjoyable place. Steele (1981) has also emphasized on characters of place that create better settings. These characters are very significantly related with place experience.

Choices and options –Activities are the basic essential of a place. Without activities a place will be empty and that generally implies something is wrong. Offering things to do give people a reason to come to that place and possibly return again. The variety of activities also gives various alternatives of activities for tourists with different levels of needs. Choices provide options about how the place can be used; choice and variety in one’s experience serve a fundamental human need; richness of a place and give changing experience. 22

Reinforcing patterns and sequence – Settings with sequences of experience that build on one another are more likely to produce high-quality experience. It is another type of place character that shall be carefully planned and thought. The setting itself is able to give the experience of patterns and sequence when designed with this aim in mind.

Rich material for fantasies and memories – Settings that can trigger off memories and fantasies will be more likely to provide rich place experience; but still depending on the users themselves. However, placemaking can help to refine the memorable experience of tourists through activities that give an impact to them. This again relates to ‘choices and options’ which is by providing them with diverse alternatives of activities, depending on the level of experience that they seek.

A sense of identity – Identity of a place must be maintained as it is what makes a place unique when compared with other major places. Consistent themes to its form, materials, items, arrangements, and symbolism will be more likely to produce positive place experience.

Kevin Lynch (1960) defines the identity of a place is ‘that which provides its individuality or distinction from other places, and serves as the basis for its recognition as a separable entity’. Identity of places varies with the individual, group or consensus image of that place. Boulding (1961) has defined an image as a mental picture that is the product of experiences, attitudes, memories and immediate sensations. Within an individual the combination of experience, emotion, memory, imagination, present situation and intention can be so variable that he can see a particular place in several distinct ways. For example, a street is a very different place to a pedestrian and to a car driver – their experiences and purposes are different, and they attend to different objects and signs. Therefore, the identity of a place varies with the intentions, personalities, and circumstances of those who are experiencing it.

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Highlighting personal awareness – Personal awareness depends on the consciousness of the tourists themselves. Differences in cultures, or similarities in religion, to name a few examples, may stimulate various perceptions or give new knowledge to individuals. Awareness can be stipulated up not only through formal presentation of information such as in museums or galleries, but also through publications and descriptions of the daily lives of the local people.

Highlighting opportunity – Places with special features that can be easily identified are more likely to attract more use by tourists than the ones that are only known by the insiders of the place. This again relates to providing choices and options, and making known of the different alternatives to the tourists. Stimulate use of special features than the ones that are hidden; visitors can easily know or identify special places that are not only visible and accessible to insiders living in the place.

Active vitality - generated by the patterns of users’ activity; generate visible vitality; create experience for people and one another.

3.6 Tourist Experience

3.6.1 Type of Tourists According to Thomson (2010) there are three segments of travelers within the hospitality industry.

First group is the typical business/corporate traveler.

Second group is meeting and group demand that is often related to corporate meetings, SMERFE (Social, Military, Ethnic, Religious, Fraternal, and Educational) events, and local youth sporting groups.

Third group is the leisure segment. Motivated to visit a market based on location attributes, such as beaches, amusement parks, museums, and activities including golf, leisure demand is more often than not perceived as families vacationing together.

However, there is a noteworthy subcategory of the leisure segment that comprises youth travelers. Contrary to family vacationers, youth travelers journey with the intent of exploration. Due to the evolution of telecommunications, social media, and travel infrastructure, destinations abroad have become more accessible and affordable, creating opportunities for today’s youth.

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3.6.2 Concepts of Tourist Experience The conceptual developments on tourist experience have been widely researched and been a key research issue since its early days in the 1960s. This study looks into the concepts that can directly relate to the concept of place experience.

Hall and Page (1999) also describe tourist experience as the result of the tourist ability to tolerate behaviour of others; context and pattern of activities, motivation, expectation, perception, level of use and social situations (see Figure 3.2).

The concepts of tourist experience are identified based on these literatures

MacCannell · An active response to the difficulties in modern life (1973) · Tourists are in search of ‘authentic’ experiences in order to overcome the difficulties.

Smith · A tourist is defined as a temporarily leisured person who visits a (1978) place away from home for the purpose of experiencing change. Cohen · Tourism experience is the relationship between a person and a (1979) variety of ‘centres’. · The meaning of the experience is derived from a person’s worldview, depending on whether the person adheres to a ‘centre’, which is the individual’s spiritual centre, that the individual symbolizes ultimate meaning.

Urry · Tourism is the notion of ‘departure’, of a limited breaking with (1992) established routines and practices of everyday life and allowing one’s senses to engage with a set of stimuli that contrast with the everyday and the mundane.

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Ryan · Tourism experience is a multifunctional leisure activity, involving (1991,1997) either entertainment or learning, or both, for an individual. · The degree of satisfaction gained from the experience relates to: the expectations of the tourist · the degree of reality on which those expectations were based · the ability of the tourist to adapt the perceived realities, and · the nature of the critical encounter that shaped the reality.

Pine and · Experiences take place whenever a company or a destination Gilmore decides to use services as the stage and goods as props to engage an (1999) individual whereby the memory is the most important characteristic of experiences

Table 3.2: Concepts of Tourist Experience

Figure 3.2: Tourist Experience [Source: Hall and page (1999)]

3.6.3 Process of Tourist Experience As described by Ryan (1997), the tourist experience is influenced by several different factors, which are: µ Travelling experience µ Destination attributes µ The nature of attractions with individuals or certain groups µ Individual’s responsive mechanism µ Personal factors

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The character of place is part and parcel of the destination attributes. They are the elements, both tangible and intangible, that offer the experience to the tourist. The tourist’s personal factors, on the other hand, influence their beliefs or become the basis of what is considered important to them, in any aspects. Figure 3.3 demonstrates the place experience process of a tourist which has been adapted from the tourist experience process (Ryan, 1997).

Figure 3.3: Tourist’s Place Experience Process

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3.6.4 Tourist Experience in Urban Area Since Dhaka City Centre is an urban area, it is worth noting the factors to consider in evaluating the urban tourism experience. Hall and Page (1999) have identified several of these factors, as listed in Table 3.3.

• The weather conditions at the time of visit • The standard and quality of accommodation available • The cleanliness and upkeep of the city • The city’s aesthetic value (i.e. its setting and beauty) • The tourists’ personal safety from crime • Accessibility of attractions and points of interest in the city • The extent to which local people welcome visitors and the level of helpfulness • The ability of tourism providers to support the tourists • The range of cultural and artistic amenities • The ambience of the city environment as a place to walk around • The level of crowding and congestion • The range of nightlife and entertainment available. • Range of restaurants and eating establishments in the city • The pleasure of leisure shopping • The price levels of goods and services in the city

Table 3.3: Factors to consider in evaluating the urban tourist experience Source: Hall and Page (1999) modified from Haywood and Muller (1988)

3.7 Model of Attitude Measurement Model of attitude measurement developed by Fishbein (1967) is a tool that can be used to analyze the relative importance of attitudinal components (Ryan, 1995). Fishbein states that attitude is made up of two components, which are the evaluative component and the importance of that belief. Attitude towards a destination can be presented as the result of strength of evaluative aspects weighted by the strength of that evaluation present in the destination. The four cells of the Fishbein measurement of attitude are depicted in the following Figure 3.4.

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Figure 3.4: The Four Cells of the Fishbein’s Measurement of Attitude (Source: Ryan 1995)

3.7.1 Study’s Working Model Evaluation of previous studies indicate that place experience is one of the elements of tourist experience. The place characters influence the tourist’s experience as they are in fact the destination attributes, which is shown previously in the tourist’s place experience process (Figure 3.3). In the same figure, the personal factors form the tourist’s belief, conceptions and what is considered important to them, which according to Fishbein (1967), including what they actually experience, are the components that make up their attitude, which is a form of their behaviour. The following working model presents the conceptual framework formulated for this study (Figure 3.5).

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Tourist

Importance of belief & expectation

The Place & Place Characters

Enhance Place Improve/Augment Characters Place Characters Evaluation of belief

Place

Experience Negative Positive Experience Experience

A More Refined

Tourist’s

Placemaking

Figure 3.5: Placemaking and Tourist’s Place Experience

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CHAPTER 4: PLACEMAKING AROUND THE WORLD

4.1 Introduction The place-making approach— with a participatory, community-led process— has proved attractive as a method to build a spirit of civic engagement in Central and Eastern Europe. At the same time, the United States is incubating another growing trend that holds great promise for how people across the planet will live in the future. At the heart of this movement is place making— a set of ideas about creating cities in ways that result in high-quality spaces where people naturally want to live, work, and play. This is a bold departure from the prevailing view of new urban development as a series of disconnected, isolated projects where the only criteria of success are attracting attention or myopically focusing on economic return.

Place making emphasizes the appealing qualities of a place and then builds on these qualities to create not only a successful project, but also a successful community (Kent, 2008). The following examples show just how far reaching these ideas have become and the ways to create truly great cities in the 21st century that meet the needs and desires of its people and tourists.

4.2 Paris, France Like American cities, Paris over the course of the 20th century fell victim to the ever-growing dominance of the automobile. Paris has embarked on a major campaign to turn the tide. The Greater Paris region’s transportation master plan pursues a three-pronged goal of reducing car traffic, improving public transit, and encouraging walking and biking.

Some of the most progressive urban transportation initiatives in the world are being implemented in Paris led by Bertrand Delanoë, mayor since 2001. Delanoë maintains that reducing traffic is the most important quality-of-life issue facing the city today. Bumper-to-bumper congestion, cars parked every which way, buses travelling at a glacial pace, and perilous conditions for cyclists and pedestrians have tarnished the traditional beauty and comfort of the City of Light. The idea is that if Paris wants to

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remain one of the world capitals for business and culture, it must provide a high quality of life for its residents, workers, and visitors.

To this end, across Paris, sidewalks have been widened, bike lanes created, and trees planted. A new light-rail line has been constructed around the periphery of the city, linking a dozen subway and express train lines. Delanoë is also consciously making it less appealing for people to drive in Paris. The city’s “red axes”— dedicated in the 1980s for high-speed traffic on one-way boulevards with no on-street parking— are slowly being turned back into narrower, safer, quieter two-way streets with bike lanes. Several Paris Respire, or “Paris Breathes,” zones have been designated where driving is not allowed on Sundays or holidays.”Under the ‘Vélib’ program — short for vélo libre, or “free bike, Paris provides bicycles that people can pick up at many points around the city, ride to wherever they want to go, and then leave it another bike loading station. More than 15,000 of the bicycles currently are in service, and the fleet will have up to 20,000 cycles by the end of the year 2008.

Another example of the city’s approach is the Paris Plage. Every summer, the expressway on the Right Bank of the Seine is closed to vehicles and transformed into a public “beach.”While the focus is on children, people of all ages come to the area to enjoy sunbathing, dance lessons, climbing walls and swimming in temporary pools. Amenities include beach chairs, cafés, misting fountains, palm trees, and a branch of the public library located in a small tent. Paris’s unique “beach,” originally conceived as an alternative for people who could not leave town during the heat of the summer, has become an innovative public space.

Pic 4.1: Paris Plage, a month-long celebration that creates a beach by the River Seine in Paris.

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Rue Mouffetard is a remnant of an old Roman Road in Paris. Some buildings date from the 12th century, and many have distinct histories. In one sense this street represents the history of Paris. The market fills every morning as people come to do their daily shopping. Its vitality is reminiscent of a scene from the middle ages. After the market closes, restaurants open up, offering a wide variety of ethnic foods as well as traditional French food at cafes and creperies. Colourful images of local produce, quaint Parisian shops and diverse crowds along with the constant chatter of market buyers and sellers create a wonderful and long lasting impression. The minimal vehicle traffic and the presence of shop vendors add to the feeling of safety and comfort for pedestrians.

Pic 4.2: Rue Mouffetard, Paris- A market in the morning and a leading dining destination later in the day.

4.3 Camden HighStreet, London, England Camden Towns throngs with locals, shoppers and tourists, no matter what the time or day of the week. Full of independent shops and markets, the streets are intertwined and pedestrian friendly, lined with old unique buildings, each one different from the next. Each street fosters new and unique experiences. Dozens of train and transit lines come here, with the main underground tube station right in the centre of things. There is no dominating age group, race or gender, and if anyone wants to meet people from every corner of the world in one day, Camedon Town would be the place to do so.

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Pic 4.3: Camden High Street, London, England

4.4 Las Ramblas , Barcelona , Spain A tremendous variety of eateries, shops, markets, and cultural institutions can be found here, along with a huge number of pedestrians and people-watchers. About 1.5 km long, Las Ramblas is really a sequence of three pedestrian oriented streets. Its central pedestrian promenade is unique aesthetic quality created by its pleasant proportions, relative to adjacent development, landscaping and ample seating. With a mix of activities promotes diverse image and flexible characters, Its seen as Barcelona’s most important and best street. A huge number of different enterprises are in operation here-traditional retail, specialised vending, kiosk sales, markets and exchanges, fairs and exhibition, shoe-shining, eateries, pubs, music and much more. There are also a number of museums and cultural institutions.

Fig.4.4: Las Ramblas, Barcelona , Spain 34

4.5 Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland Although world-famous for its upscale shopping, Bahnhofstrasse's real appeal lies in its pedestrian energy and effortless transit integration.It is Zurich’s most famous and exclusive retail district. Individual retailers and high end department stores sit side by side with art galleries, hotels, restaurants, renowned confectionaries and Swiss Bank Headquartes, all of which draw a diverse crowd of locals and tourists alike. The real secret behind the commercial success and enduring appeal is the pedestrian, its seamless integration of different transit modes and the streets hyper accessibility. Numerous tram lines service the street, most of which interface at either end with rail, ferry or bus. Private vehicles are prohibited for most of its length, while signalling and careful paving treatment eases their integration with bicyclists and pedestrians where permitted. Because of this restricted automobile access, it feels largely like a comfortable, pedestrian boulevard with the leisurely pace of window shoppers that stroll its sidewalks.

Pic 4.5: Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland

4.6 Acland, Melbourne, Australia Acland is known for its sidewalk cafes and superb people-watching. Everyone goes here to relax and socialize. (PPS, Freda Eisenberg, 2010). Acland street has an intimate scale that brings pedestrians into close contact with its many cafes and street musicians, giving it the air of a bustling, linear party, Outdoor tables are prominent, and are often situated at the edge of the sidewalk, channelling passersby through cafes rather than around them; in this way pedestrians are integrated into the cafe

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scene, and are allowed a closer look at the wares displayed in the numerous bakery windows. Festive touches include a bold, checkerboard patterned sidewalk with decorative tile insets. It is a place of leisure. People go there to relax, socialize, and enjoy good food and music. (PPS, Freda Eisenberg, 2010)

Pic 4.6: Acland, Melbourne, Australia

4.7 United Arab Emirates Cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are quickly becoming some of the most dynamic, diverse, and successful of tourist destinations in the world. With projects designed for the upper class including planned space where many residents do not feel welcomed or comfortable, there is growing recognition that development in the UAE is not yet being leveraged to create a successful public realm. The lack of great public spaces and public activity constitutes a major factor limiting social cohesion and true nation building, but also presents major opportunities. When all residents are given a say in which amenities become publicly available to them, they begin to take ownership and pride in their neighbourhood, region, and nation.

Pic 4.7: Plan of Old Town, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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The government of Dubai is currently embarking on a multibillion-dollar project to rejuvenate the city’s Old Town, making it a more welcoming and comfortable destination for visitors and locals alike.

4.8 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia As a major city, Kuala Lumpur has a developed infrastructure and service sector. The city offers a wide range of tourist attractions, shopping, entertainment, hotel and conference facilities. Kuala Lumpur also builds its distinctive image and identity on its multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural society. In Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020, the city is aimed to be developed as an attractive international destination while creating a distinctive city identity and image.

Pic 4.8: Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has a wide diversity of resources that are suitable for tourism, each at varying degrees of development or attractiveness. Tourism products in the City range from cultural heritage attractions, urban visitor resources, recreational and health resources. In terms of its architecture, Kuala Lumpur has retained a number of historic buildings and areas that represents its past, such as Dataran Merdeka and the Railway Station. Modern additions to the city of buildings like the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers at the KLCC also provide images of a modern city that is firmly in touch with its cultural roots.

Shopping, dining and entertainment in Kuala Lumpur are also emerging to become a price competitive shopping destination with international quality. The City has

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developed many shopping centres including new retail formats such as hypermarkets, mega malls, duty-free shopping outlets and discount stores. The night markets in particular are of great interest to tourists as they give an insight into the traditional Malaysia way of life (KLSP 2020).

Parks and recreational facilities have also been promoted to attract tourists from the recreational and leisure segments. There are a number of parks in Kuala Lumpur containing attractions of interest to tourists such as Butterfly Park, Bird Park and Orchid Garden at Taman Tasik Perdana.

Kuala Lumpur promotes the concept of growth with distribution, physical and social sustainability, economic justification as well as a fair and efficient government, provisions of public amenities and good quality of life in the pursuit of a knowledgeable society.

The vision for ‘Kuala Lumpur - A World Class City’, encapsulates the ambition to make Kuala Lumpur a city that will assume a major global and sub-global role for the benefits of all its communities, workers, visitors and investors. The Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP 2020) emphasizes that the vision and goals of Kuala Lumpur have been formulated with the aims of creating a sustainable city with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (KLCH) ensuring that the planning for Kuala Lumpur will strike a balance between physical, economic, social and environmental development.

Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (Draft KL City Plan 2020) is KLCH’s primary planning and development strategy. It is the draft local plan for Kuala Lumpur prepared under provision of section 13 of Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982. The Plan sets out a twelve year plan on what must happen to achieve the vision for the City of Kuala Lumpur in 2020. This will guide decision makers, city planners, designers and builders the direction of growth for Kuala Lumpur and lead the City into a World Class City status.

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‘Kuala Lumpur - A World Class City’ is a commitment that by the year 2020, the City of Kuala Lumpur will have made many positive changes to the physical environment without compromising the local environment and its ecology. It also commits to create a liveable and attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

The Draft KL City Plan 2020 has adopted a set of strategic directions to realise this vision and they are centred on the five main goals of the KLSP 2020. · Goal 1-To enhance the role of Kuala Lumpur as an international commercial and financial centre. · Goal 2-To create an efficient and equitable city structure. · Goal 3-To enhance the city living environment. · Goal 4-To create a distinctive city identity and image. · Goal 5-To have efficient and effective governance.

These goals are the framework for Draft KL City Plan 2020, in which its greatest challenge is the implementation of the goals and policies to achieve environmental, social and economic development simultaneously; where the improvement of one shall not be to the detriment of the other.

4.9 Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhanmondi Lake is one of the most important successful breathing public spaces in Dhaka. The lake side development is providing the locals and city dwellers with place for cultural gathering, hang outs, foods etc. [ Archsociety, 2010] The lake has become a well visited tourist spot, with cultural hubs such as the Rabindra-Sarobar located along its side. [Wikipedia, Dhanmondi Lake]

In 1956, Dhanmondi was developed as a residential area. In the development plan, about 16% of the total area of Dhanmondi was designated for the lake. This lake was originally a dead channel of the Karwan Bazar River and was connected to the Turag River. The lake was connected with the Begunbari Canal.

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In 1998, Dhaka City Corporation commissioned a local architectural firm to re design the lake and the adjacent area to enhance the social, economic, cultural and environmental sustainability of this residential neighbourhood. The idea was also to invite people from other parts of the city so that the lake can be protected from encroachment by creating a buffer zone in between the allotted residential plots and the lake and to provide a place of recreation for the urban community of Dhaka city as a part of an acute demand of the urban dwellers.

Community participation process was applied to address the problem of encroachment and environmental degradation in Dhanmondi residential area. The first thing came in to consideration was to decontaminate the lake water, shape up the water shade area, open it up and make it easy accessible to public. The lake was made accessible to the public realm by increasing both physical and visual connectivity between the lake side water front and the neighbourhood. However, the concept was not appreciated by the client Dhaka City Corporation. The bureaucratic thinking process in a rapidly urbanizing context suggests that development

Figure 4.1: Dhanmondi Lake Renovation project (2007), Source: DCC

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projects should be protected by safety fences where public access is restricted. This orthodox thinking of the client was rejected by the design team finally and continued to carry on with an open idea of connectivity.

The visibility was ensured by replacing high fences with low green hedges so that the lake becomes visible from the periphery roads. Physical connectivity was achieved by insulating walk ways through the periphery of the lake side and also approaching from the side roads from accessible locations. To make this links sustainable some passive activities became a pre-requisite along the walk ways (Figure 3).

The scheme looked for some moderate function that will generate less traffic in the residential area. Functions like food kiosk, drink corner, small restaurants, community boat club, community health club, open air theatre, children’s play area were distributed in different visually and strategic locations throughout the development. The concept was to use these functions as attractor to bring in more people in the lake side areas. A few large green spaces were selected in strategic locations with better visibility towards the lake and accessible from within the neighbourhood. To avoid direct traffic flow from the busy and congested peripheral roads of the neighbourhood the functions were embedded in more localized areas. Considering the management aspects of the project and to make it financially self sustainable, these facilities would generate income and hence could be maintained modestly by a public private partnership.

Figure 4.2: Dhanmandi lake & lake side developement project 41

Figure 4.3: Dhanmondi area and the lake before development (disintegration, physical and environmental deterioration) – Source: Khan, N. 2008 & Vitti Sthapati Brindo Ltd, Dhaka 1998

4.9.1 Outcome of the restoration project In reality, the project appears to be a successful model by restoring the lake and environment of the neighbourhood. It is considered as a paradigmatic strategic urban project in a developing city like Dhaka. The scheme significantly restores and manages an urban water front development and incorporates visionary design strategies to avoid encroachment by the city. An increased connectivity throughout the spaces in the lake side development scheme, has successfully integrated the segregated water body and the residential neighbourhood into a continuous whole. The spatial intelligence of this particular case of placemaking within the city of Dhaka lies in the creation of a high level of social and spatial interface among people from different parts of the city.

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Pic 4.9: Public gathering by Dhanmondi lake

Pic 4.10: Identification of successful activity nodes along Dhanmandi lake area to increase the quality of prevailing urban spaces and later public response in reality - Source : Vitti Sthapati Brindo Ltd, Dhaka 2008

As the neighbourhood has been made accessible to the public realm through inclusion of a city scale recreational area, it caused new problems like, traffic congestion, poor maintenance of the area; hence the chance of farther environmental deterioration etc. However, these minor issues are causing problem only to the local people facing the main peripheral access routes of Dhanmondi. In broader aspect, it is an overwhelmingly successful project by accommodating all class of people from the global context of the city – within a minimum financial and physical intervention through the residential neighbourhood.

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Integrated development of Hatirjhil and Begunbari khal is also going to be an outstanding place for public in coming years. The plans and proposal if comes into realization it is going to be a magnificent area to enjoy, relax and breath- in.

The discussion above clearly states that Placemaking is a powerful tool for the community in creating a vision for the future of any particular place. It shows us how a civic arrangement can enliven a place spontaneously if it allows its occupants to participate in the total process. If this simple tool of creating a vibrant place is applied with wisdom to every development and redevelopment project, communities would certainly look and feel different and function differently than they do now.

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CHAPTER 5: PLACE CHARACTER OF DHAKA

5.1 Introduction The first section of this chapter briefly discusses about Dhaka City as a place and its prospect for being a tourist destination. It explores Image and Identity, Spatial Characteristics and Place Experience in Dhaka. It also examines the availability of tourism products, attractions, accessibilities and other facilities in different locations within the city.

5.2 Dhaka City as a Place Dhaka has an exciting history and rich culture which attracts travellers from far and near through ages over the world. According to recorded history it was founded in 1608 A.D. as the seat of the imperial Mughal Viceroy of Bengal. Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy city of about 12 million people with an area of about 1353 sq. km. (Tahmina, 2010). Having a blending of old and new architectural trends, Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all spheres of life. It is the centre of industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for Bangladesh. Once upon a time, Dhaka was a very fine city. There were shaded and leafy streets, boats plied in the heart of the city, the air was cleaner, there was a sense of community among its citizens, people promenaded on the banks of the river, children played on open fields, until all those were usurped by the fangs of merciless urbanisation (Ashraf, 2010).

Pic 5.1: Periphery of Dhaka Pic 5.2: Arial view of Dhaka at present

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Now the city has already started suffering from the pains of ruthless urbanisation. Curse of pollution, wretched transport and road system, blatant occupation of land and waterways, and ravaging of public spaces has made Dhaka to acquire the title of being one of the most "unliveable cities" of the world.

5.2.1 Image and Identity of Dhaka Dhaka was once known as the city of Mosque and Muslin, that image of the city now have been replaced by the three-wheelers called rickshaw. Entire city streets are filled up with these vehicles. This simple slow contraptions may be a terrible inconvenience to the fast moving traffic, but they certainly look pretty, almost all of them are meticulously decorated, which makes them amazing and moving art works in an urban landscape.

Pic 5.3: Image and Identity of Dhaka city Pic 5.4: Three Wheeler Rickshaw

Other most celebrated landmark structure that represent the identity and image focus not only Dhaka city but also represent the nations is Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament House), which designed by the famous architect Louis I. Kahn, may be called an architectural wonder of this region. National Memorial of Bangladesh is located at Savar and 35 km away from Dhaka city. It is dedicated to the sacred memory of the millions of unknown martyrs of 1971 War of liberation. Central Shahid Minar represents a symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. Lalbagh fort and Ahsan Manjil are two other Landmark within the city. 46

5.2.2 Spatial Characteristics of Dhaka

Dhaka city consists of following zoning characteristics-

(i) Old Dhaka The old Dhaka predominantly was a city of the Mughals. In hundred years of their vigorous rule successive Governors and princely Viceroys who ruled the province, adorned it with many noble monuments in the shape of magnificent places, mosques, tombs, fortifications and 'Katras' often surrounded with beautifully laid out gardens and pavilions. On the bank of the river Buri-Ganga was the oldest business and commercial area of Dhaka. But when the city expanded, the main business area shifted to another area like Motijheel. Dhaka's main waterfront, Sadar-Ghat, is on the bank of the river Buri-Ganga where all kinds of water transport vehicles from yachts to steamers connect the capital with the rest of the country through the network of rivers. In old Dhaka Ahsan Manzil, which was home of the Nawab of Dhaka is a valuable example of cultural heritage of Bangladesh. As Ahsan Manzil, Lalbag Fort are monuments of immense historical beauty, most of the tourists are advised to visit them when they arrive in Dhaka.

Pic 5.5: Narrow Street and rickshaw in old Dhaka

(ii) Dhaka University Area It is in the junction point of Old And new Dhaka. Prestigious education institutes like Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka Medical College, Institute of Fine Arts are located in this area. 47

Fig 5.1: Location of important features in old Dhaka

(iii) Cantonment Area The Cantonment is located on the north-east end of the Dhaka metropolis. The headquarters of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force are situated within this cantonment. It holds a big part of the city.

(iv) Sher -e -Bangla Nagar It is the central administrative area that holds the National Parliament building, Gano Bhaban (Prime ministers’ residence) and other administrative offices in Agargaon.

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(v) Planned Residential Area Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani,Mirpur, Baridhara and Uttara are the planned residential areas which are the place of higher income people of the city. Most of the diplomatic offices and houses are built in Baridhara, Banani and Gulshan. Exclusive Clubs, restaurants, hotels, guest house are located in this area. The international air- port of Dhaka is placed in Uttara.

(vi) CBD (Central Business District Area) Motijheel is central business district area (CBD) and commercial centre of Dhaka city. It always vibrates with commercial activities during weekdays. Now a day’s business areas are spreading to other areas of the city like Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani and Uttara.

(vii) Industrial area The main industrial area of Dhaka city is Tejgaon. Besides, various types of industries are also developed around the core city of Dhaka such as Narayanganj, Savar, Tongi, Jinjira, Amin Bazar, Gazipur have various heavy and light industries. The major and mentionable companies of Bangladesh have their factories in these areas.

(viii) Unplanned Area Purana Paltan, Kathal Bagan, Shegun Bagicha, Moghbazar, Eskaton, Mirpur and most of the new city is unplanned. Most common characteristics of these areas are high density of population in certain locations, lack of open space, traffic congestion, poor quality of infrastructure and facilities. Especially, the current trend of redevelopment in inner city areas with higher density has created severe pressure on infrastructure and civic amenities because most of these development projects are taking place without considering the overall neighborhood context.

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5.2.3 Place Experience in Dhaka Steele (1981) has emphasized on characters of place that create better settings for placemaking. Following these characters place experience in Dhaka are discussed here.

In Old Dhaka streets represent the past of Dhaka, some buildings have distinct histories. The market of Chawk Bazar fills every morning as people come to do their daily shopping. Its vitality is something different from the other part of Dhaka. The restaurants open up early in the morning, offering a wide variety of ethnic foods as well as traditional mughlai food. Colourful images of diverse crowds along with the constant chatter of market buyers and sellers create a wonderful and long lasting impression. People around the area are used to with the traffic congestion created by co-existence of vehicle of different speed on the same narrow street. There are places in old Dhaka where the restaurants are open up to dawn.

The old town always throngs with locals, shoppers and sellers. Shops and markets stuck with each other, the streets are narrow and full of huge number of pedestrian and vehicles, lined with old buildings, each one different from the next. Each street fosters new and unique experiences, always vibrant as it is the centre of wholesale market within the city. Tremendous varieties of eateries, shops, markets, and cultural institutions can be found here. Different enterprises are in operation here-traditional retail, specialised vending, kiosk sales, markets, shoe-shining, eateries and much more. With a mix of activities promotes diverse image and flexible characters, its seen as Dhaka’s most important and unique part. There are also a number of mosques and cultural institutions.

Pic 5.6: Street Food of Old Dhaka in Iftar time Pic 5.7: Delicious “Biriyani” of Old Dhaka 50

The university area acts as a gathering place for locals and visitors who appreciate the beautiful architecture, trees, benches, sculptures and an incredible vista. The area is really impressive: the architecture is historic and harmonious; Matured trees make a shady canopy; a wide walkway follows along a spectacular view; old fashioned street lights line the street. The parks around are favourite place to walk or jog on a sunny day to enjoy a breath-taking looking out at the Historical charm and great views make this place one of Dhaka gems.

Dhanmondi is known for its sidewalk cafes and easy to reach shopping malls, everything within reach. Rabindra Sharovar is a place of leisure, where people gather, relax and socialize. It holds event all the year round. Dhanmondi has an intimate scale that brings people into close contact with its many cafes and street hawkers, shopping mall; boutique houses integrate the visitors into the total scene. The real appeal of Gulshan and Banani areas lies in its upscale shopping and as the high class residential area. It is Dhaka’s most famous and exclusive retail district. Individual retailers and high end department stores sit side by side with art galleries, hotels, restaurants, renowned confectionaries and Banks, all of which draw a diverse crowd of locals and tourists alike. The real secret behind the commercial success and enduring appeal is the hyper accessibility of the streets. Because of the easy automobile access, it feels comfortable for the window shoppers to shop around.

● Choices and options There are many options of activities and places to visit in Dhaka city. Old and new architectural structure, Bengali cultural heritage, cheap shopping, local cuisine, traditional handicrafts, seasonal festivals, scenic beauty, hospitality of people are considerable.

Dhaka has wide diversity of resources that are suitable for tourism, each at varying degrees of development or attractiveness. Tourism products in the City range from cultural heritage attractions, urban visitor resources, recreational and health resources. In terms of its architecture, Dhaka has retained a number of historic buildings and areas that represents its past like Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil.

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Modern additions to the city of buildings like the National Parliament Building and the Novotheatre at the Bijoy Sharoni provide images of a modern city that is firmly in touch with its cultural roots.

Shopping, dining and entertainment in Dhaka are also emerging. Its handicraft, garments item are outstanding in its price and quality. South Asia's largest shopping Mall Jamuna Future Park serves both foreign and local people which are very much international in standard. Aarong, a wonderful handicraft shop having branches all over Dhaka, Gulshan antique shop, Gulshan pearl market, Gold market in Baitul Mukarram, Chadni chawk, Skharibazar, Mirpur Benarosi palli and Jamdani shari market etc. are the options for the visitors who search traditional products of Bangladesh for shopping.

There are a number of parks in Dhaka attractions of interest to tourists such as Botanical Garden, Baldha Garden, Ramna, Sahrowardi, Usmani and Chandrima uddayan are special to notice.

Theme parks are built apart from the city that attracts adventure lovers, especially children. There are few children park that are successfull naming shishu park at shahbag,Wonderland in Gulshan and Shishumela at shyamali.

Visitors who search for arts and crafts have the opportunity to stopover at the galleries available, cultural craft complex and Museums. Wooden markets with extraordinary furniture’s are also available in furniture market at Mirpur and Shahjahanpur. Pottery and clay products are available in front of Savar National Memorial and various chain shops in Dhaka.

Dhaka’s offering are not limited to heritage visitors and avid shoppers, but also for gastronomic fans who wish to treat their appetite with fine dinning of international and local cuisines, or even dishes from the local hawker stalls. There are so many options to meet the appetite. Moglai food like biriani, tehari, kacchi, borhani are available in various restaurants like Fakruddin biriani, Hazi Nannas Biriani and other

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shops in whole Dhaka, especially in old Dhaka. Other traditional foods of Dhaka are like halim, nun, Bakorkhani etc. At a time, various international standard chain restaurants and coffee shop are available mostly in Banani, Gulshan and Dhanmondi area.

Seasonally, there are some special occasion’s holds in Dhaka such as Pohela Baishakh, Pohela Falgun, Bijoy dibosh (16th December), Independence day (26th March), Shahid dibosh (21st February) which can give tourist a different taste about Bangladeshi culture. Theatres, puppet show, jatra, pala, mela etc can also add flavour to the total experiences. So, there exists a great range of choices and options to experience in Dhaka city.

● Reinforcing patterns and sequence The range of experiences that visitors can gain from visiting Dhaka is never ending, provided that they are aware of opportunities available. As mentioned in the point above, there are many options and choices available for various segments of visitors and tourists and others. However, these different experiences are spread around different locations in Dhaka, not in an organized manner. Thus the continuity of experiences and activities would be at variance among people. The connectivity of experiences one after another would depend on the planned route or sightseeing packages that they take. A deliberately planned package tour by tour operators can still establish patterns and sequence within the city.

● Rich material for fantasies and memories Fantasies and memories are triggered by rich settings that can give a positive impact to the visitors’ minds. In the context of Dhaka City, it’s most famous landmark; the National Assembly Complex and The National Memorial. Rickshaws are relied upon for transport and livelihood for a great number of people. For casual tourist, they can provide hours of pleasure as they jingle their way through the capital. One can enjoy scenic beauty of Dhaka through a pleasure walk along Mintu Road, Buriganga river, Parliament house, Mirpur and Asulia Beribadh and also within Ramna park. Cheap shopping, colourful festivals, Local arts and crafts, traditional song, theatre, puppet show, programme as well as food of Dhaka can also be considered as rich materials 53

for fantasies and memories of a tourist. However, further recollection of visit to the city would undoubtedly depend on the users and how they themselves filter as to what is to be remembered through their level of experiences.

● Highlight personal awareness There are several attractions present in Dhaka City that is expected to highlight the knowledge and awareness, which gives us Bengali nationalism and represent the nation’s history. The National Memorial represents the memory of martyrs of the war of independence in 1971.

Pic 5.8: Dhaka Central Shahid Minar Pic 5.9: The National Memorial

Central Shahid Minar was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather on 21st February every year to pay respect to the martyrs from midnight.

Beside these visitors might visit the national museum, galleries and exhibition centres which also represent Bengali nationalism. Even so, awareness and knowledge still rely on the level of responsiveness and consciousness of the users.

● Highlighting opportunity As Dhaka City is very much well known as the capital city of Bangladesh, a great deal of promotions, particularly by Tourism industry, has also increased the reputation of many special features in the city. Its landmarks can clearly be identified; its shopping venues are easily recognized by foreigners and locals. These highlights are primarily contributed by publications in website and overseas of

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Bangladeshi diplomatic office. On the occasion of world cup cricket, the year 2011 is being observed as tourism year to build a positive image of country's tourism sector. The government is preparing a five-year (2009-2014) plan for that purpose. Actually, there are so many scopes to attract tourists by providing them extra ordinary experience cause there exist a large amount of cultural, traditional and natural resources.

Shopping facility of various exclusive products in relatively lower price is also a great opportunity for attracting tourists. If these opportunities can be organized and used efficiently then it will be helpful for earning foreign currency by attracting foreign tourists and also meet urban recreational need of city dwellers. There are so many architectural, cultural and historical sites within Dhaka which can be utilized for creating new opportunities to enhance the place character of the city.

● Active vitality The liveliness of Dhaka can be seen from the daily activities that take place around the city. Very rich to very poor people co-exists parallel in this city. Dhaka is core area of Bangladesh and peoples here are always busy with business and commercial activities. There are procession of vehicles in the streets includes valuable ones to auto rickshaw. Additionally, the urban open space such as Rabindra sorobor, Shahid Minar, Ramna Park, Sohrawardi uddan frequently hold events, festivals and carnivals which increase the viability of the city. Various fairs and exhibition are held in those areas like Baishakhi mela, Ekushe boi mela in Bangla Academy, Tat fair, fruits fair etc.

5.3 Tourism Products of Dhaka Bangladesh is indeed a shoppers' paradise with a rich tradition in handicrafts at throw away prices. While muslin of ancient Dhaka has gone into history, other products such as contemporary paintings, wood works, shital pati, bamboo decoration pieces, cane and conch shell products, wooden extra-ordinary furniture’s, gold and silver ornament, cotton, silk, gold, silver, jute, reed, brassware, traditional dolls, ceramic wear and leather goods also receive deep appreciation of arts and crafts lovers. In

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addition, Bangladesh is famous for pink pearl which is available in many handicraft stores, with some dedicated outlets in Gulshan.

The prominent shops in Dhaka, which offer this products are Aarong, Sopura Silk, Benarasi Palli, Gulshan Antique market, Mirpur Jamdani market and local boutiques etc. For cheap shopping, Bangabazar and Dhanmondi hawkers markets are the pioneer one.

Other attractions in and around Dhaka include the Institute of Arts and Crafts with its representative collection of folk art and paintings, Art galleries, handicraft shops, cruising by country boat in the nearby river or a visit to a village to experience jute cultivation, weaving and pottery making. Last but not the least travel by a horse driven cart in old Dhaka or rickshaw along busy Dhaka streets is a rewarding experience.

5.4 Tourist Experience in Dhaka

Hall and page (1999) have identified several factors to evaluate the urban tourism experience. These factors are discussed below in the context of Dhaka city as an urban area.

● Standard and quality of accommodation available In Dhaka, a few luxury hotels cater for the business guests and tourists who come from around the world. There are the traditional ‘local’ hotels which provide a bed, a bathroom and nothing much else. Some of these are clean and cheap and they can be an acceptable low-cost alternative for those who find themselves off the beaten track. Price is probably the best guide to the standard of service provided in the Hotel. The hotel “Dhaka Sheraton” close to green Ramna Park is suitable for those who interested in a stroll through tropical vegetation or a ride on the boating lake. Sahrawardi Park, where the Bangladeshi Declaration of Independence took place and Dhaka University are also within walking distance. There are good shopping opportunities in New Market, Bangabazar, and Elephant Road that one can reach by rickshaw.

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Some extortionately expensive hotels with good restaurants and excellent service are Pan Pacific Sonargaon, The Westin, Dhaka Sheraton, Radisson Water Garden Hotel etc. all of them have bars and other exclusive services. There are also some newly built modern hotels with facilities including a gym, lounge, restaurant, snooker room and an on site beauty salon. Some of them La Meridian, La Mer Grand Prince Hotel, Hotel de Crystal Garden, Grand Azad Hotel, Lake Shore Hotel, Hotel Sarina, Hotel Orchard Plaza etc.

● Cleanliness and upkeep of the city Dhaka is already found very short in providing even basic amenities to its residents such as adequate and clean water, sufficient power and efficient systems for mass transportation and satisfying of aesthetic needs. Interrupted Power and water supply is common in this city. As a result people have to go through immense suffering in daily life. Condition of Dhaka city footpath is not good because of hawkers and ticket counter of buses. As a result, pedestrians are often forced to walk in road. Daily garbage of this city is not removed regularly in a planned way. As a result it seems bad and create odour. Almost every month roads of Dhaka are excavate by various service agencies. So, water logging is a common problem here which is a prime reason of road accident also. Street trees and street lights are not maintained properly. Roads and over bridges are not safe in night due to lack of safety concern. In Dhaka air quality has been deteriorating for a longtime. Ambient air quality in the city is poor because of auto exhaust especially from old, dilapidated diesel buses/trucks, road and soil dust, emission from about 3000 brickfields surrounding the city and dust from the construction boom. But recently Dhaka City Corporation take some efficient steps such as mobilization of resources to build all kinds of infrastructures and much expand basic utility services to cope with the needs of the city's fast rising population.

● The City’s aesthetic value The city of Dhaka has lush greenery, open spaces and scenic canals. Aesthetic value of Dhaka city is always in a rich form. One can enjoy sightseeing spots and ancient buildings which are really have a different taste. By dotted of ponds, numerous 57

waterways and spacious parks Dhaka drew tourists. Densely populated and humming with activity at all hours, Dhaka is a city of contrasts between old and new, rich and poor, industry and folk. From the concrete National Parliament House and ultra modern Bashundhara City, the largest shopping mall in South Asia, to the 17th Century Lalbagh Fort and the open markets along the city's side streets, these contrasts vividly shape the city. One may visit the many mosques, temples and museums for a taste of Bengali culture and history. The views of old Dhaka one can be enjoyed with water front of Buriganga. At a time one may enjoy nature of Dhaka through a walk along Ramna park or the tree shaded road beside the National Parliament.

● Accessibility of attractions and points of interest in the city Rickshaw is the most popular form of transport and good for short distances mainly on side streets. Auto-rickshaws which are also known as ‘CNG’ and have meters, are the cheapest way to cover longer distances. Taxi also plies the roads, some yellow and some black, all with meters.

Public transport system is not very updated. Shortage of mass transit in important route made the situation worse. There is no monorail or LRT within the city. Public buses are only means of public transport. Most of them are old and not properly maintained and without air conditioning system. Only a few number of AC bus is running within the city.

● Extent to which local people welcomes visitors in a warm manner Bangladeshi people are renowned for their hospitality. People are helpful to foreigners but sometimes they make gathering around foreigners out of curiosity. In Bangladesh, foreigner will not feel any inconvenience due to language problem as English is popular here and basic English is known almost to every people.

● Range of cultural and artistic amenities The Bengal region has a multifaceted folk heritage, enriched by its ancient animist, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim roots. Weaving, pottery and terra-cotta sculpture are

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some of the earliest forms of artistic expression. The best known literature of Bangladesh is the work of the great Bengali poets Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam. Folk theatre, pappet show, jatra, usually takes place during various fair, such as baishakhi mela. Muslim culture and culture of old Dhaka is so enriched. Art, music, folk song all these are cultural asset of Dhaka. The various tribal indigenous cultures have been largely undisturbed by foreign or 'modern' influences and provide a unique opportunity to experience.

● Ambience of the city environment as a place to walk around Some part of Dhaka is so attractive for walks to enjoy aesthetic beauty and nature within the city and discover the co-existence of poverty and wealth at a time. The beauty of Bangladeshi rivers and soothing breeze can be enjoyed from the walk along Buriganga river, asulia and mirpur beribadh. Walking around Ramna park, Sharawardi uddan, Dhaka university area, Old Dhaka, National Parliament building is also enjoyable because it might give a total conception about the city as a whole. Dhanmondi Lake is the best place for walking in whole Dhaka city. First of all, it is a very big place which takes more than 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other. It is an excellent place for walk in afternoon. There are shading trees in all the parts and it is never very hot.

But the pathetic thing is that the footpaths around Dhaka are not always clean. They are not properly maintained. It is simply impossible to walk through the city pavement or footpath with a baby stroller or wheel chair as they are not continuous and full of garbage and loose bricks or stone somewhere encroached by hawkers and most of the footpaths are broken and full of obstacles.

Pic 5.10: FootPath full of Garbage 59

● The level of crowding and congestion Dhaka is one of the most crowded cities in the world, with millions of people crammed into a small area. Because of its massive population, Dhaka does suffer from problems like crowding, congestion and pollution. In the absence of designated terminals for rickshaws and taxis, the available road space is increasingly shrinking at an alarming rate. Rickshaws are a major cause of severe congestion in the city. In the morning and evening before and after office hour’s city people faces terrible traffic jam. School break time in the afternoon also creates congestion due to a large number of private cars. Nevertheless, it is undergoing some projects to modernize its transportation system and general infrastructure. Hopefully the situation will improve in near future.

● The range of nightlife and entertainment available Bangladeshi nightlife is nearly non-existent. Being a Muslim country, alcohol is frowned upon and found mostly in the international clubs and pricier restaurants in Dhaka. Some of the nicest hotels in the cities have fully equipped bars and disco with exaggerated prices. There is a party network between the different clubs (Dutch Club, Canadian Club, Scandinavian Club, International Club, American Club, etc.) and some Bangladeshi clubs (Heritage, Privilege, etc.). These clubs usually require membership to enter.

Although alcohol is most easily available at the international clubs and top hotels, there are quite a few local places to find a drink for the enterprising traveller. Local bars are to be found in most neighbourhoods but are difficult to locate due to lack of advertising. Popular brands of beer and major types of liquor are available at these places, and at much lower prices than at hotel bars. There is a duty paid shop in Moakhali which is only permitted to sell alcohol to passport-bearing foreigners or their drivers who bring their passports in when they purchase. In some special occasions like thirty-first nights, some hotels arrange DJ party and also other programmes which are very colourful.

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● Range of restaurants and eating establishments in the city Dhaka has an enormous variety of food catering to all budgets. Old Dhaka is overflowing with cheap Bangladeshi food where a meal can be had from Tk 50 ($0.70), while in the upscale neighbourhoods like Gulshan and Banani one can find just about any type of cuisine like Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek, Mexican, and franchises such as Pizza Hut, KFC etc. Reservations are usually not required in most restaurants.

Local sweets (misti/mishti) like rasgullah and sandesh are excellent. Biryani restaurants are crammed throughout the narrow alleys and along the main streets in old and center Dhaka. Haji Biryani is one of them. It revels in its eccentric reputation for opening only at certain times and only cooking a certain amount (well below demand)

Hajir Biryani, Fakhruddin Biryani ,Bismillah Kabab, Kasturi, Gharoa, Dhanshiri etc are exclusively famous for Bangladeshi traditional foods as well as for Muglai foods also. Star Hotel & Retaurant at Dhanmondi, Banani and old Dhaka is also famous for its Kabab and Biriani. Coopers situated in Kalabagan, Bijoy Sharani, Gulshan and Uttara is also very famous for cakes and fast food. Famous world standard chain restaurant Nando,s, Pizza Hut, KFC have there branch in Gulshan, Dhanmondi and uttara.

During Ramadan the city transforms into a dining paradise having Iftar stalls all around. Especially in Chawkbazar the road become traffic free food street and thousands type of foods are sold by the hawkers. And of course it’s vital to the culture of Dhaka.

Hawkers selling fuchka and chatpati are very popular to the people, besides this seasonal fruits, nuts, popcorn are sold everywhere. But it’s not advisable to have street food all the time. Small restaurants or mostly crowed shops are even safer for food. And in Dhaka, don’t even try to drink water on the street.

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● Pleasurability of leisure shopping Bargaining is popular in the bazars and markets of Dhaka. For hassle free shopping one may head to Bashundhara City or Jamuna Future Park. Banga (or Bango) Bazar, is a block west of the Gulistan bus station on Kamruzzaman Sharani Street at the edge of Old Dhaka. There are thousands of small stalls intersected by narrow walkways which are often jammed with people. The quality varies widely but the prices are cheap.

Another shopping place is New Market on Mirpur Road in Dhanmondi, just west of Dhaka University. This is the largest market in the city and it has more class, more room and just as much choice. As well as clothing, there is leather, linen, jewellery, household goods, CDs and DVDs and so on. It is normally closed on Tuesdays.

Aarong is a well known chain with several outlets around Dhaka and one in London. It is owned by BRAC (a large NGO). One may also visit other shops to be introduced with traditional goods of Bangladesh. Some of them are Kay crafts, Noborupa, Nabila’s, Onjon’s, Deshals, Rang, Banglar Mela etc. Ten Showrooms of these types of shops one can also found together in one floor of named “Deshi Dosh”. One may also find gold, metal; silver and pearl produce exclusive ornaments and jewellery products in various markets of Dhaka in a reasonable price.

● Price levels of goods and services in the city In Dhaka a tourist can find various services easily at a cheaper cost. Transport cost, accommodation cost, medical cost, cost of eating and shopping are so cheap here comparing other countries of the world. Quality handicrafts are available here at a lower price. Emergency services are also available. Bangladesh is well known to the foreigners as a place of cheap shopping. But there are lacks of brand shops but in present some world brand shops are trying to introduce their outlets in Dhaka.

So, here we get a clear picture of the urban tourist experience in Dhaka. This factors will help us to create an actual evaluation of the city as a tourist attraction place.

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CHAPTER 6: DATA ANALYSIS

6.1 Introduction This chapter is analyzed all the information collected from three types of survey to fulfill the objectives of the study. Among the three sections of this chapter the first one discusses about the findings of survey on tour operators and examines the tourist routes. Then, the Second section presents the results of survey on city dwellers specifically about their choices of options, how they spend their leisure, range of options, facilities, recommendations etc. The next section analyzes tourists’ place experience evaluation by using Model of Attitude Measurement (MAM) to identify the gaps between expectation and experience. It also presents the analysis of tourist demands, which include the respondent’s profile and trip characteristics.

It is found that the popular places are not same to the both segment of visitors. Tour operators of Dhaka are also interviewed to explore the most popular tourist route within the city. This effort is to locate the places where public gathers most and require maximum attention for its refinement through Placemaking.

The results and discussion are supported by table, chart and diagram formats. The survey has been conducted during the months from April to October’10 at Dhaka. A total of 210 survey forms that have been returned back are valid and fully completed, and thus can be used for analysis. Prior to the final survey, a pilot test has been conducted to gather feedbacks regarding the clarity of the questions asked, the variables measured in the questionnaire and the application of MAM in analyzing the gathered data.

6.2 Survey on Tour Operators A total number of 121 tour operators are running operation under the membership of TOAB (Tour operators association of Bangladesh). Among them a number of 10 active tour operators are interviewed to gather some important information which presents here.

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6.2.1 Most Popular Tourist Route in Dhaka Most popular tourist routes in Dhaka are almost similar according to all the tour operators. Usually in a half day tour, the route starts from National Museum at Shahbag, and goes through High court building, Dhaka University Campus specially Karjon Hall, Aparajeyo Bangla monument and Shahid minar towards the old part of Dhaka like Lalbagh Fort, Tara Mosque, Armenian Church, Shakharibazar, Ahsan Manzil and other spots. Then the route turns to Liberation war Museum and National Parliament Building in new Dhaka and ends at Lalmatia Aarong, the famous local craft chain shop. An extended day long tour takes the tourists either to Savar National Memorial or Panam Nagar in Sonargaon.

Figure 6.1: Location of Major Tourist Spots & Most popular Tourist Route in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey 2010)

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6.2.2 Popular Places for Tourist in Dhaka According to the tour operators popular places for tourist are almost same. Those places are Lal Bagh Fort, Old Dhaka, Shahid Minar memorial, Ahsan Manjil, Dhakesshari mondir, Armeniun Church, Baitul Mukarram Mosque, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Dhaka University, National Poet's Graveyard, Suhrawardy Uddyaan, National Leader Mausoleum, Shadhinota Stambha, Curzon Hall, Old High Court, National Parliament Building, Sonargaon and Savar National Memorial, etc. Except this, tourists have some definite choice about shopping and eating.

● Shopping For shopping, tourists mainly go to Basundhara city, Jamuna Future Park, Bangabazar, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, New Market, Benarasi polli, Gulshan Antique Market, Shimanto Square, different branches of Aarong and Deshi Dosh etc. Besides these, tourists like to go some popular brand shops like Westecs, Cats Eye, Yellow, Sailor, Artisan, Ecstasy, Onnomela, Anjan's, Jatra, Tangail sharee ghar etc.

● Eating Tourists mostly prefer restaurants of Banani, Gulshan and Uttara area near their accommodation, working place or shopping area. In busy time, they prefer fast food shops like KFC, BFC, Helvetia, coopers, Baker’s etc. Foreign tourists like buffet for lunch and dinner as they can choice from a range of options. Buffets are available at most of the hotels where they stay. Other that, Button Rouge, Topkapi, Chilis, Xinxian, Nandos, Pizza Hut, Abacus, Aristocrate, Koyla, Boomers, these places are preferred by tourists. Sometimes, they like to taste some special Bangladeshi cuisine and for that they choose Fakruddin Biriyani, Star Kabab, Nawab Chatgao, Mezban Bari, Korai Gost, Chittagong express etc.

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Figure 6.2: Location of Most Visited Shopping Centre in Dhaka City (Source: Field Survey 2010)

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Figure 6.3: Location of Tourist Preferred Places for Dining in Dhaka City (Source: Field Survey 2010)

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6.2.3 Tourist Demographics according to the Tour Operators

● Country of Origin According to the tour operators maximum tourists in Bangladesh come from China, Thailand, Taiwan, America, Japan, Australia, India and all over Europe like Germany, Netherlands, , France, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Norway etc. ● Age Tour operators say that, almost 60% of the tourists are above the age group of 45 year. Another young travelers group are consists of 20-29 age limit that mainly comes for academic visits. ● Gender According to the majority (70%) of the tour operators, the male-female ratio among the tourists is 70%-30%. To others it differs from 60%-40% to 50%-50%. ● Education Maximum tourists are with a high educational background and others are students. ● Occupation Most of the tourists are Business executives (40%), retired persons (30%), teachers or lecturers (10%), students (10%) and others (10%). ● Purpose of Visit Maximum tourists come here for Business purposes (40%), NGO activities (10%), and student for academic visits (10%), Transit tourists (15%) and others (25%). ● Party composition 45% of tourist comes here as single, 15% visit as couple, 20% are in a group of 3 to 7 persons, 15% are in a group of 8 to 15 person and others visit Bangladesh in a large group of 15 to 20 people together. ● Length of Stay or Service Some tourist spends a week or less than a week. Others spend ten days or maximum one month in Dhaka. ● Mode of Transportation In Dhaka tourist mostly use rented car. Beside this they also use Taxi cab and Tour bus provided by the tour operators.

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● Accommodation: Tourist who comes for business usually stays at renowned hotels, specially, five stars or 3 star hotels like Hotel Sheraton, Pan pacific Sonargaon, La Meridian, Hotel Regency, Hotel Lake Shore, Hotel Sharina and guest houses in Uttara, Banani and Gulshan area. ● Prior Experience in Dhaka Maximum genuine tourists have no previous experience in Dhaka. Businessmen usually have several visits in Dhaka.

6.2.4 Safety Measures Taken by the Operators Most of the tour operators cannot give satisfactory answer about safety measures. Two operators said that they inform the local thana in case of large group.

6.2.5 Number of English Speaking Guide In every tour operators there are a few numbers of English speaking guides. They have guides speaking other languages as well. They are called upon requirement.

6.2.6 Recommendations of Tour Operators Ø Proper advertising and marketing effort should be taken Ø Each tourist spot should have Government appointed guide and securities. Ø Cleanliness of whole Dhaka should be ensured. Ø Proper Communication system should be developed, Traffic congestions should be handled immediately by taking prompt action. Ø Economy generating activities should be taken. Ø Historical Buildings require proper conservation. Ø Public amenities like clean Public toilet at important places and regular disposal of garbage within the city should be ensured. Ø Cordial behavior with tourists also should be ensured rather than putting a curious look at them. Ø Proper signage towards the point of interest is required

6.3 Survey on City Dwellers: In order to find out the Placemaking strategy of Dhaka city it is important to trace out the existing recreational facilities and places for the city dwellers. Besides, it is also important to know the activity pattern of them in leisure time, transportation mode to get around the city and obviously their expectation and recommendation to make the

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city an attractive one to spend the leisure time. In this regard, 100 city dwellers are

surveyed with a questionnaire which includes both open and close ended questions.

6.3.1 Profile of the Interviewers 100 city dwellers are randomly interviewed in this study and they are chosen from different leisure activity spots of Dhaka city like shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, sightseeing sights, parks and so on. Both male and female persons are interviewed and they represent different age groups. A short description of the interviewers is given below. Gender: Among 100 respondents of Dhaka city there are only 22 female persons. As a result choices and problems of female persons are not represented here sturdily.

Age: Age Group of respondents The age of the respondents are divided 80% 70% 60% into several age groups of below 20 years, 50% 40% 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50- 30% 20% 59 years and above 60 years age. Almost 10%

Percentage of 0%respondents 68% respondents are from age group of below 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 above 20 years 60 Age Goup of Respondents Pecentage 20-29 years. Figure 6.4: Age Group of Respondents (Source: Field Survey 2010) Educational Qualification: Maximum respondents 72% have bachelor or higher educational degree. 23% of them have secondary certificate and another 5% have diploma degree. Occupation: The following pie chart shows that most of the respondents are mainly self employed and engage with business. Others are student, housewife, executive, professional persons, retired and others.

Occupation of Respondents

Student Self Employed 8% 3% 4% 18% Housewife 17% Businessman Executive/ Managerial 24% Professional 21% 5% Retired Others

Figure 6.5: Occupation of Respondents (Source: Field Survey 2010)

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Living Places of Respondents: An attempt to select respondents from various part of Dhaka was given importance during the time of survey. As a result, inhabitants interviewed are from kallyanpur, Motijheel, Baily Road, Mirpur, Farmgate, Kolabagan, Kamrangirchar, Shahbag, Jatrabari, Lalmatia, Green road, Segunbagicha, Palton, Mohammadpur, Kamalapur, Moghbazar, Dhaka University campus, Khilgaon, Mohakhali, Uttara, Malibagh, Rampura, Banasree, Gulshan, Wari, Basndhara, Lalbagn, Dhanmondi and Banani area.

6.3.2 Leisure Activity of the City Dwellers Maximum people in Dhaka city think that there are not enough facilities to spend quality leisure time within the city. Usually they go out for shopping or dining out at free time or spend that time by visiting friends and relatives. Sometimes they go to enjoy cultural programs or stay in house. Figure 6.6 represents an overall idea regarding the activity patterns of city dwellers in leisure time.

Activities of city dwellers during leisure time 2% Visits friends / relatives 4% 9% Stay in house 31% Dines out at restaurant 22% Shopping Go out of the city Join cultural events 27% 23% go out of the country Wander around the city

Figure 6.6: Activities of city dwellers during leisure time (Source: Field Survey 2010)

6.3.3 Mode of Transport Getting around Dhaka City A major portion of the respondents (37%) use public transport like bus. Another 25% of them use their own private car. 13% respondents say that they prefer to walk. Remaining others 16% and 9% interviewers are use rented services and tour bus or coaches respectively to get around Dhaka. Following chart presents the statistics find out by the survey.

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Mode of Transport

16% 13%

Walking 9% Own or rented 25% Public Transport Tour Bus/ Coach Rented

37%

Figure 6.7: Mode of Transport getting around Dhaka city by the city dwellers (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

6.3.4 Travel Experience in Abroad 60% of the respondents have no prior experience of traveling abroad and other 40% have experience of foreign visits for different purposes. Among them, 7% people have experience of more than three times visit in foreign countries. Figure 6.8 represents the survey findings through a pie chart.

Travel Experience of City dwellers in Foreign country

7% 13% No prior experience

Once 20% 60% Thrice

More than three times

Figure 6.8: Travel Experience of City dwellers in Foreign Country (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

6.3.5 Places in Dhaka for Spending Time Most of the city dwellers are preferred different shopping malls and restaurants or cafes to spend time with friends and family while doing shopping or dine out. In this study it is tried to find out their most visited places for shopping, eating, entertainment and sightseeing. A short description of the survey results tried to present here.

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· Shopping places: Today Dhaka city have adequate shopping facilities with so many shopping mall all around the city. Some exclusive and well known shopping mall are chosen by most of the people, whether he/she lives. The choice of the shopping venue widely depends on various factors like gender, income level, residence, age, distance and accessibility of the shopping venue and so on. Figure 6.9 represent the preference of different shopping malls by the city dwellers. ·

Preferred Shopping Venues of the City Dwellers

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30%

Percentage 20% 10% 0%

Mouchak Banga Bazar Rifle Square Eastern Plaza Navana Tower Aziz Super Market Concord twin Tower Gulshan1 DCC Market Bashundhara Garden City Bismillah tower old Dhaka Dhanmondi HawkersRajanigandha market Super Market Muktijoddha Market Mirpur

New Market, Gausia, Chadni Chawk Mohakhali Army Shopping Complex Shopping centers

Fig 6.9: Preferred Shopping Venues of the City Dwellers (Source: Field Survey 2010)

There are some Bangladeshi and foreign brand shop which have so many branches all over the city like Westecs, cats Eye, Aarong, Kay krafat, Deshal etc. So, people can choose their nearest show room of these brand shops for shopping. For traffic jam and shortage of time most of the city dwellers like to go for shopping at nearest shopping complexes. Table 6.1 gives the information on area based shopping complexes preferred by the city dwellers.

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Area of residence Preferred Shopping Venues

Old Dhaka Chadni Chalk, Gausia, New Market, Eastern Plaza, Rapa plaza, Bashundhara Garden city, Banga Bazar. Dhanmondi, New Market, Rapa plaza, Rifles square, Metro plaza, Mohammadpur, Bashundhara Garden city, Dhanmondi hawkers, Chadni chalk Shyamali Badda, Rampura, Mouchak,Concord Twin Tower, Karnafuli garden city. Bashabo, Khilgaon Mahakhali, Jamuna Future Park, Navana Tower, Pink City, Gulshan DCC Gulshan, Banani Market, Police Plaza

Kuril Shuvastu nazar valley,Mouchak, Jamuna Future Park Maghbazar, Mouchak,Concord Twin Tower, Karnafuli garden city. Shantinagar Tejgaon, Mahakhali Army shopping complex, Gulshan Aarong, Nakhalpara Bashundhara City Mirpur, Kallyanpur Muktijoddha Market,Prince Bazar, Benaroshi polli, Newmarket Cantonment CSD, Rajanigandha Super Mark Uttara Mascot Plaza, Rajlakhsmi Complex

Table 6.1: City Dwellers Preferred Shopping Venues According to their place of Residence (Source: Field Survey 2010)

● Dining Places: There are lots of places in Dhaka where gastronomic fans go to meet their appetite. Specially Dhanmondi, Uttara, Banani, Khilgaon, Bonosree, Baily road these places are stuck with different types of restaurant at one places. Now a day’s Dhaka city Residence prefer to eat in the chain restaurants like KFC, BFC, Nando’s, Pizza Hut etc. Gulshan Avenue, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Dhanmondi, Uttara etc have many buffet restaurants which are very popular among the city dwellers. Chinese restaurants are preferred for different set menu; get together and parties. Old Dhaka is preferred for all types of Moghhlai items. Recently there are several restaurant which serves different regional foods of home and abroad like Nawab chatga, Mezbaan bari, Oh Calcutta, Delhi Darbar, Thai emrald, Koreana etc. Figure 6.10 shows the city dwellers choices for eating out in Dhaka.

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Preferred Dining Venues of the City Dwellers 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% Percentage 0% Dining Areas Dhanmondi Gulshan Baily road Banani Uttara Old Dhaka Muhammadpur Mahakhali Mirpur

Fig 6.10: Preferred Dining Venues of the City Dwellers (Source: Field Survey 2010)

● Places for Cultural Activities: For recreation and passing leisure time city dwellers prefer to attend in cultural programs arranged in Shilpokola Acadamy, Dhaka university, Natmondol, Public Library, Rassian cultural center, Aliance Franchise, National museum, Chayanot, Gattiya nattomoncho, Various art galaries, Charukola, Baily road Theatre etc.

● Sight seeing: For sightseeing people of Dhaka used to go in Ramna park, National Zoo, Botanical Garden, Baldha Garden, Gazipur Jatiya Uddan, Ashulia, Dhanmondi lake, Buriganga, Zia uddan, Savar National Memorial etc places.

● Entertainment: For recreational purpose people used to go in Nandan park, Fantasy Kingdom, National shisu park, Bashundhara Star Cineplex, riding zone of Jamuna Future Park, Blockbuster Cinemas at Jamuna Future Park, Basundhara 300 feet, sonarhgaon etc. They also like watching movies, playing indoor and outdoor games, attend in various concerts, listening music, visiting friends and relatives, watching show in Novo Theatre etc.

● Attraction Spots: The survey finds that National Parliament Building is the most visited attraction spot (81%) within the city for the city dwellers. The location of beautiful Water body and Green Park within the vicinity made the place very popular to the people of the city. Dhanmondi Lake is the second highest (77%) of the popular attraction spots followed by Ramna Park (71%) and Bashundhara Mall (61%). Ramna Park attracts people mainly for the ‘Bangla New Year’ celebration program when

75 people from every corner of the city come here to join the festival. Bashundhara Garden city has become an Icon for the city dwellers for its beautiful architecture and multiple activities under the same roof. Shopping, Dining and Entertainment all have been facilitated in this wonderful Structure.

Rank Attraction Spots % 1 National Parliament 81 Building 2 Dhanmondi Lake 77 3 Ramna Park 71 4 Bashundhara Mall 61 5 Sahrowardi uddyan 53 6 Public Library 42 7 Lalbagh Fort 34 8 National Zoo 32 9 Ahsan Manzil 31 10 National Museum 29 11 Zia uddyan 26 12 Curzon Hall 25 13 Shishu Park 14 14 Baily road 13 15 Botanical Garden 11 16 Charukola Institute 11 17 Bangla Academy 10 18 Buriganga River Cruise 9 19 Novo theatre 9 20 Rayer Bazar Memorial 8

Table 6.2: Preferred attraction spots of city dwellers within the city (Source: Field Survey 2010)

6.3.6 Recommendations by City Dwellers The city dwellers recommend the following initiatives to improve the entertaining features of Dhaka city. Ø Traffic jam of the city should be minimized Ø Cleanliness and safety should be ensured everywhere in the city Ø For improvement of sightseeing places and cultural place necessary steps should be taken Ø Safety should be ensured in various cultural programs, fairs, concert and shopping malls Ø Streets should be hawker free and footpaths should be clean

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6.4 Survey on Tourists To know about tourist experience in Dhaka city 100 tourists are interviewed from various parts of Dhaka. The profile of the tourist, place characteristics important evaluation and overall experience of the tourists in Dhaka city all these are analyzed here.

6.4.1 Tourist Profile ● Gender Both male and female tourists are interviewed to gather appropriate information. Percentage of male and female interviewers is shown in figure 6.11.

Figure 6.11: Gender scenario of the foreign tourist interviewed (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Age Group of Tourists There are different age group tourists who are interviewed. Number of various age groups is presents in figure 6.14.

Age Group of of Tourists

Above 60 50-59 40-49 30-39

Age in Years Years in Age 20-29

B elow 20 0 10 20 30 40 Num ber of T ourist Number of Tourists

Figure 6.12: Age Group of Tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Country of Residence It is tried to interviewed tourists from various countries. As a result countries of residence are varying which presents in figure 6.13.

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South Africa Country of Residence China Japan Philipine France Denmark 1 Korea Germany Sudan Nepal Rassia 0 5 10 15 20 Norway Italy Number of Tourist India Figure 6.13: Country of Residence of Tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Educational Background of Tourists Only a few tourists have no formal education. Others completed secondary and higher secondary education. A significant portion has Bachelor or higher degree. Figure 6.14 represents the analyzed data.

Educational Background of Tourist

40 35 30 25 Number of 20 Tourist 15 10 5 0 No formal Primary Secondary Certificate/ Bachelor Education Diploma or Higher Number of Tourists Educational Qualification Figure 6.14: Educational Background of Tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Occupation of Tourists According to the survey data, most of the foreigners visits Bangladesh are Businessmen (20%) and self employed (20%). Remaining others 16% are hold executive positions, 14% are Housewife and 10% are student. A few numbers of them are retired persons (only 9%) and from other activity (3%). Figure 6.15 presents the findings.

Occupation of Tourists 3% 9% 10% S Student

20% Self employed 14% Housewife

Business Executive Proffessional

8% 16% Retired Others 20%

Figure 6.15: Occupation of Tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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● Main Purposes of Visiting Dhaka More than half of the respondents have come Dhaka for the purpose of business (51%). More than one-fourth of the tourists have chosen to visit Dhaka for spending vacation. This appears to be the most evident purposes of visit for tourists to Dhaka. Other purposes of visiting Dhaka are visiting friends and relatives (6%), academic visits (4%) and others.

Purpose of Visiting Dhaka Business 12% 4% vacation 6% friends and relatives academic visits

others 27% 51%

Figure 6.16: Main Purpose of Visiting Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Party composition This study has discovered that 40% of the respondents traveled to Dhaka with friends or partner. This party composition stands as the highest percentage among other forms, such as traveling alone (31%), with family or relatives (14%) and in a big group of more than five (15%).

Party Composition

40 35 30 25 Number of 20 Tourist 15 10 5 0 With Alone With In a big friends or family or group of partner relatives more than five Number of Tourist

Figure 6.17: Party Composition (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Mode of Transport The tourist survey has also found that traveling around the city with rented vehicles to be the most popular mode of transport chosen. With a total percentage of 74%, rented transport is the highest selected option, compared to using other transport such as public transport (12%) and tour coach or bus provided by tour operators (14%). In

79 reference to the previous data collected in this study, this is perhaps due to the fact that most of the tourists come with family and relatives, thus it is easier for them to travel in such size of group using a rented vehicle. Additionally, rented vehicles give them more freedom and option on choosing their very own tourist route at their own time pace.

Mode of Transport

12%

Rented transport 14% Tour bus or coach Public transport 74%

Figure 6.18: Mode of Transport (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

● Accommodation A large proportion of the respondents stay at 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels. Locations of the accommodations are also found to be located within the vicinity of city centre and business area. This data once more support the previous data which declared that the tourists come to Dhaka largely for the purpose of business. This shows that the affordability standards of the tourists are considerably high as they stay at 3-star to 5- star hotels for the average length of stay of five to seven days or more. Tourist usually prefers guest houses around Gulshan, Banani and Uttara area.

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Fig. 6.19: Most visited tourist accommodation in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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● Prior Experience in Dhaka Near to half of the overall respondents are second time visitors (45%) and some are third or for more repeated visitors (12%) to Dhaka because they have to come for business purposes. But tourists who come here for spending vacation most of them are first time visitors (43%).

Prior Experience in Dhaka

12% First 43% Second

Third or more 45%

Figure 6.20: Prior Experience in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

6.4.2 Preferred Places by the Foreign Tourist in Dhaka

· Tourist Attraction As shown in the Figure 6.21, points of attractions visited by foreign tourists are Old Dhaka, National Poet's Graveyard, Suhrawardy Uddyaan, National Leader Mausoleum, Banga-Bhaban, Shadhinota Stambha, Old High Court , Sitara Mosque, Baitul Mukarram Mosque as well as Hindu, Buddhist and Christian churches and temples.

Statistics of visiting tourist attraction

80% National Museum 70% Lalbagh Fort 60% Ahsan Manjil 50% National Parliament 40% National Memorial 30% 20% Shahid Minar 10% Sonargaon Pecentage of visitors of Pecentage 0% Karjon Hall Pecentage of visitors Bahadur Shah Park Tourist attraction spot Liberation war Museum

Figure 6.21: Tourist Attraction Visited in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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Images of Tourist Attractions in Dhaka Visited by Tourists

Lalbagh Fort National Memorial

Ahsan Manjil National Parliament

National Leader Mausoleum Shadarghat port

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· Entertainment The survey finds that the most visited entertainment area for foreign tourists in Dhaka are Ramna park, Dhanmondi lake, Alliance Franchise, Chandrima uddayan, TSC, Botanical garden, Nandan Park, Fantasy Kingdom, Shilpokola Acadamy, Natok para in bailly road etc. This interesting finding indicates that the tourists go to a variety of places for entertainment during their stay in Dhaka City. All these spots are shown in figure 6.22.

Figure 6.22: Education and cultural spots visited by tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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· Shopping Places Dhaka is also a shopping place, which enables it to attract and capture the tourists for shopping for the cheaper price of the goods.

Shopping places visitede by Touists

100% Bashundhara city 90% Bongo Bazar 80% 70% New market 60% Chadni chalk 50% 40% Aziz super Market 30% Aarong 20%

Pecentage of visitors Pecentage 10% Gulshan Antique Market 0% Mirpur Banarasi palli shopping1 centres

Figure 6.23: Shopping Venue visited by tourist in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

· Places for Dining Most of the tourists are like to taste Bangladeshi food. At a time they also prefer fast food and western food. For that they visit so many dinning places shown in figure 6.24.

Dining Places of Tourists

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Pecentage of tourist of Pecentage KFC BFC grill Star Western Nandoos Dhansiri Pizza Hut Pizza restaurant restaurant Kabab and Kabab Dining areas

Figure 6.24: Dining Places for Tourist in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

6.4.3 Place Experience Analysis

Table 6.3 and 6.4 indicate the perceived importance and actual experience ratings of place character attributes in Dhaka as perceived by tourists. The survey has found that most of the place characters were considered “important” by the tourists. The means scores of importance of attributes range from 3.49 to 4.21, where 1 = Not important at all and 5 = Very Important.

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Rank Characters Description Mean Score Rank 1 “Memories” The place gives them valuable images, 4.21 fantasies, memories or feelings Rank 2 “Identity” The place has its own identity and image. 4.13 Rank 3 “Choice” The place offers a variety of experience and 4.11 activities for them to choose. Rank 4 “Sequence” The place gives them a continuous experience, 4.02 one after another. Rank 5 “Active” The place is active and used by other people as 4.01 well for their activities. Rank 6 “Opportunity” The special places and places of interest there 3.82 are easily known. Rank 7 “Awareness” The place gives them new knowledge or 3.49 awareness. Note: Mean scale: 1=Not important at all, 2=Unimportant, 3=Neutral, 4=Important, 5= Very Important Table 6.3: Importance of Place Characters to Tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

Rank Characters Description Mean Score Rank 1 “Memories” Dhaka gives them valuable images, fantasies, 4.11 memories or feelings. Rank 2 “Active” Dhaka is experienced as an active place that is 3.92 used by other people as well for their activities Rank 3 “Choice” Dhaka offers various activities for them to 3.86 choose Rank 4 “Sequence” Dhaka gives them a continuous experience, one 3.80 after another. Rank 5 “Opportunity” The special places and places of interest in 3.79 Dhaka are easily known Rank 6 “Awareness” Dhaka gives them new knowledge and 3.41 experience. Rank 7 “Identity” Dhaka has its own identity and image. 3.35 Note: Mean scale: 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly Agree Table 6.4: Experience of Place Characters in Dhaka by Tourists (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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“Memories” is noted as possessing the highest importance among other attributes. Following “memories”, in order of importance are “identity”, “choice”, “sequence” “active”, “opportunity” and finally“ awareness”. This indicates that in any place, these characteristics are valued as important in ensuring that the tourists have the best experience. These attributes are then assessed based on their presence in Dhaka through the tourists’ own experiences. It is found that Dhaka has been experienced by the tourists as a place which gives them “memories”, followed by being a place that is “active”, gives them “choice”, “sequence”, “opportunity”, “awareness” and finally “identity”. The following diagram displays the comparison of ranking between perceived importance and actual experience (Figure 6.9).

Perceived Actual Importance Experience

Memory Memory

Identity Active Important Choice Choice Experienced Character to be present Sequence Sequence Active Opportunities

Opportunities Awareness Awareness Identity

Less Experienced Less important to be present Character

Figure 6.25: Comparison between perceived importance and actual place experience by tourists in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

From the diagram, it can be pointed out that Dhaka is experienced as a place with various memories. It is also a place with active vitality, which gives them awareness or new knowledge. Although the choices and sequence of activities are visible to them, however, there is a lack in opportunities for knowing special places of interest,

87 which possibly shows the lack of integration in their tourist routes or continuity of activities that they are engaged in. Nevertheless, the city was still inexperienced as having its own identity, with some need for a more memorable experience.

6.4.4 Analysis of Place Characters Using MAM Although the place characters received different evaluations, nevertheless, all of the attributes are “important” attributes perceived to be present in the destination. The mean scores from both the importance and experience evaluation are tabulated in Table 6.5 and Figure 6.26. Keywords Mean* Mean** (Importance of (Experience of Attributes) Attributes) “Choice” 4.11 3.86 “Sequence” 4.02 3.80 “Memories” 4.21 4.11 “Identity” 4.13 3.35 “Awareness” 3.49 3.41 “Opportunity” 3.82 3.79 “Active” 4.01 3.92 Note: * Mean scale: 1=Not important at all, 2=Unimportant, 3=Neutral, 4=Important, 5= Very Important ** Mean scale: 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly Agree Table 6.5: Place Characters Mean Scores (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

Figure 6.26: Model of Attitude Measurement on the Tourists’ Place Experience (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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As presented above, all of the attributes of place characters fall into the same quadrant, which is “important attributes perceived to be present in the destination”. At this stage, the analysis indicates that Dhaka indeed possesses the entire important place characters perceived by the tourists, which in return produce a positive experience.

6.4.5 Gap Analysis Although all of the attributes of place character are classified as “important” and “present in the destination”, it is noteworthy to distinguish the difference of mean scores between importance evaluation and experience evaluation. Furthermore, none of the place experiences are found to surpass their expectation, which demonstrates that there is still room for improvements in refining the tourist experience in Dhaka, and most importantly, in ensuring that they visit the city again in the future. The gap identified is analyzed to assist the formulation of recommendations for this study. Figure 6.27, Table 6.6 and 6.7 represents the analyzed data.

Differences of Mean Scores

5.0000 4.5000 4.0000 3.5000 3.0000 2.5000 2.0000 Evaluation Scores Evaluation 1.5000 1.0000 Choice Sequence Memories Identity Awareness Opportunity Active Place Characteristics Importance of Attributes Experience of Attributes Figure 6.27: Differences of Mean Scores (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

Keywords Mean Mean Difference (Importance of (Experience of (Gap) Attributes) Attributes) “Choice” 4.11 3.86 0.25 “Sequence” 4.02 3.8 0.22 “Memories” 4.21 4.11 0.10 “Identity” 4.13 3.35 0.78 “Awareness” 3.49 3.41 0.08 “Opportunity” 3.82 3.79 0.03 “Active” 4.01 3.92 0.09 Table 6.6: Differences of Mean Scores (Source: Field Survey, 2010) 89

Gap 1 “Identity” 0.78 Gap 2 “Choice” 0.25 Gap 3 “Sequence” 0.22 Gap 4 “Memories” 0.10 Gap 5 “Active” 0.09 Gap 6 “Awareness” 0.08 Gap 7 “Opportunity” 0.03 Table 6.7: Gap Values in Ascending Orders

The analysis has found that the widest gap between expectation and experience is placed in “Identity”. This difference shows that the attributes considered important and desired by the tourist was lacking in Dhaka. As noted previously, this is probably because they have certain expectations to the types of experience they can gain from vacationing Dhaka. However, an in depth study is needed to discover the extent of memorable experience searched by the tourists. Nevertheless, the other attributes have closer gaps when compared to each other, which means that their expectations are somewhat attainable, although their experiences do not go beyond their beliefs of importance. On the other hand, “opportunity” is found to be the most attainable place experience as this attribute has the narrowest gap.

6.4.6 Analysis of Overall Tourist Experience The measurement of overall tourist experience is adapted from Steele’s high Quality place experience (Steele, 1981). The criteria also support Ryan’s tourist experience, which embraces the degree of satisfaction gained from the experience. The evaluation of tourist experience is based on the following factors. The respondents are asked to rate their experience by agreeing or disagreeing to the given statements (1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree). 1) They like being at the place. 2) They enjoy the activities at the place. 3) They get what they want to do at the place. 4) They are satisfied with their visit to the place. 5) They would revisit the place again. 6) They would recommend the place to their friends or relatives.

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All of the experiences surveyed to the tourists are evaluated between the scores of 3.3 to 4.12, which is close to the “agree” rating. This signifies that the respondents are overall satisfied with their visit to Dhaka. It can be noted that their overall experience does not only include place experience alone, but other factors such as services, hospitality, price, lifestyle and their own personality. Nevertheless, it is evident that there is still an opportunity to enhance their experience of visiting the city through refining their place experience, where their current evaluation on the overall experience can still be considered as above average, as the assessment did not reach or get close to the “strongly agree” rating. The mean scores for each factor are shown in Table 6.8 and Figure 6.28.

Keywords Mean (Tourist Experience) “Recommend” 4.12 “Revisit” 4.10 “Satisfied” 4.03 “Enjoy” 3.8 “Achieve” 3.5 “Like” 3.3

Note: Mean scale: 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly Agree Table 6.8: Overall Tourist Experience Evaluation

Tourist Experience Evaluation

“Like” 3.3

“Achieve” 3.5

“Enjoy” 3.8

“Satisfied” 4.03

Experience “Revisit” 4.1

“Recommend” 4.12

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 Mean Scores Mean (Tourist Experience) Note: Mean scale: 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly Agree Figure 6.28: Overall Tourist Experience Evaluation

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6.4.7 Evaluation of Tourist Experiences in Dhaka Tourist experience in Dhaka city is evaluated by interviewed 100 tourists from various parts of whole Dhaka. Their experiences are evaluated by following attributes: µ Quality of accommodation available in Dhaka µ Cleanliness and Upkeep of the city µ Tourists personal Safety from Crime µ Accessibility of attraction points of the city µ Level of crowding and congestion µ Range of nightlife and entertainment available µ Range of restaurant and eating establishment in the city µ The pleasure of leisure shopping within the city µ Price levels of goods and services in the city µ Aesthetic value of the city µ Range of cultural and artistic amenities µ Level of helpfulness among local people

Here a scale is used to evaluate the attributes which starts from 1= very poor to 5= Excellent. The results of the survey presents in figure 6.29.

Rate of Tourist Experience Evaluation

120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Rate of Evaluation of Rate

Safety from Crime

Quality of Accomodation Aesthetic Value of the City Cultural and Artistic Aminities

Cleanliness and Upkeep of the city Level of Crowding and Congestion Pleasurability of Leisure Shopping Restaurant and Eating EstablishmentPrice levels of Goods and Services Level of Helpfulness among Local People Accessibility of Attraction Points of the City Range of Nightlife and EntertainmentPercentage Available of Tourist Very Poor Poor Average Good Excellent Figure 6.29: Evaluation of Tourist Experience in Dhaka (Source: Field Survey, 2010)

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6.4.8 Significant Findings of the Tourist Survey Significant findings of the study are summarized below: § The most important place character to the tourist is for a place to give them “valuable and memorable experience”, and this attribute is found to have the gap of 0.10 between expectation and experience which is very nominal and attainable. Lack of memorable experience is perhaps due to the lack of proactive activities that can stimulate their feelings and emotions. § Tourists between the ages of 20 and 29 considers “memories” to be “very important” (30.5%), as they come to Dhaka mainly for “academic purpose” (30%) and stay for a longer time period. § The respondents have experienced Dhaka as an active place that is used by other people for activities, in which “active vitality” is the second most important criteria of place evaluated by them. § There is a lack in sequence and continuous experience. This is possible to be due to their short length of stay in the city, their pattern of activities at some point, and the way they visit the city. 43% stay from five to seven days, while 42% stay for less than seven days. § The most visited attraction is around old Dhaka (tourist attraction) and Gulshan-Banani (cuisine and accommodation) area. § The most concentrated area of shopping venues visited and hotels accommodated are around Gulshan and Banani . Bangabazar is also highly visited by the tourist for cheap garments item. § Majority of the respondents were between the ages of 20 and 49, who are mostly businessman, students and self-employed.

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CHAPTER 7 Strategies to improve and increase tourists’ visits to places in Dhaka By integrating urban planning with urban design and development

7.1 Introduction This chapter is mainly divided into two parts. The first part presents practical recommendations for placemaking and in the other part suggestions for future research are given.

7.2 Strategies to create great public places in Dhaka

While planning a particular place development to create a public place, the project should be started by envisioning a network of well-connected, multi-use public spaces that fit with the community’s shared goals (PPS, 2008) and contribute to the restoration of place quality within the city. The process can be as follows-

7.2.1 Determining the character of the public spaces: By orienting public spaces around or facing the point of attraction, new construction can be a tool to enhance the quality of existing destinations. Pedestrian connections in the particular area should be given top priority. Auto-oriented development should be avoided.

Figure 7.1: Character of the public spaces- pedestrian walkway avoiding auto oriented development

94 7.2.2 Public Goals should be the Primary Objective Any kind of redevelopment plans should adhere to the notion that the attraction spot of the city is an inherently public asset. Then it will be relatively easy to follow the rest of the steps here. Tourists’ attraction spots everywhere are too valuable to simply allow developers to dictate what should happen there. Developers will simply look at the commercial benefit rather than the public interest. This is not to say that private development is unwelcome and should be discouraged – on the contrary, it is often necessary to the future of a healthy city. But the best solution for revamping any important public place should not be private short-term financial objective. Public participation should be the first goals. Community engagement- specially, local ownership and pride along with strong direction from planning authority can establish a successful public square or waterfront destinations reach out to entire community.

7.2.3. Building on Existing Assets & Context After establishing the public spaces and public goals, the public visioning process with the existing assets and surrounding context should be started. It should begin with the historical form and function of the site to foster a locally grounded identity by channeling former vibrancy into a variety of uses. Any sort of area improvement project can easily create an abundance of user-friendly destinations while preserving the industrial and residential character of both part of the site. Existing industrial uses can be preserved when compatible with human activity on the area. Surrounding neighborhoods should be integrated into the site to strengthen connectivity between destinations. And new development should embrace its spatial context with appropriate orientation and usages.

Fig.7.2 Existing Assets and context

95 7.2.4. Creating Multiple-use Destinations

According to PPS, the most effective way to propel a visioning process is to set a goal of creating ten great destinations along a waterfront; an idea is called the “Power of Ten.” The focus on destinations, rather than “open space” or parks, will enable a genuine community-led process to take root. Residents, businesses, community organizations and other stakeholders all join in to help to identify the key destinations and then define the uses and activities they want to see at each place. Thus great destinations can be created throughout a waterfront.

The same principle should be applied at each destination to come up with a list of ten activities for that spot. A wealth of things to do broadens the appeal of the destination, encouraging round-the-clock use.

Fig.7.3 Multiple use destination.

Through multiple place evaluation workshops, a variety of community stakeholders, public agencies, and private firms can produce a collective vision for a broad range of uses to draw people to the waterfront.

96 7.2.5. Connecting the Destinations Destinations should be connected to one another and incorporated into a vision for the site as a whole. An attraction spot or waterfront that is continuously walk able with a variety of activities along the way will successfully link destinations, allowing the appeal of each one to strengthen the place as a whole.

Creating these seamless connections is a fascinating challenge that involves mixing uses (such as housing, recreation, entertainment and retail) and mixing partners (such as public institutions and local business owners). Another key element is attracting people to on foot or bike, rather than just in their cars.

Parks or esplanades should not serve as the whole purpose of the entire waterfront or any site. Too much passive, one-dimensional open space puts a damper on the inherent vibrancy of waterfronts, as evident in many spots throughout Toronto, New York City and Vancouver, — cities that have relied too heavily on “greening” their waterfronts without including other public activities that draw people for different reasons at different times. The world’s best waterfronts use parks as connective tissue, using them to link other high-profile destinations together. Helsinki, Stockholm, Sydney, and Baltimore have successfully employed this strategy.

Fig.7.4 Connecting the destinations.

97 7.2.6. Maximizing Opportunities for Public Access It is essential that the spot of people attraction be accessible for everyone to the greatest extent possible. Here too, the goal of continuity is of paramount importance. A place with continuous public access is much more popular than those where public space is interrupted. Even small stretches where the waterfront is unavailable to people greatly diminish the experience. California’s Balboa Island, located off the coast of Newport Beach, makes its entire shoreline accessible to the public instead of giving waterfront property owners sole rights of use.

Access also means that people can actually interact with the water in numerous ways–from swimming and fishing, to picnicking dockside and feeding the ducks, where there is a waterfront. If it is not possible to actually dip their hands in the water, people should have access to another type of water nearby–such as a fountain, spray play area or a swimming pool that floats next to the water body, such as the pools set up in the Seine during Paris Plage.

Fig.7.5-Maximizing Opportunities for Public Access

7.2.7. Balancing Environmental Benefits with Human Needs

While a wide variety of uses can flourish on a tourist attraction spots, many successful destinations embrace their natural surroundings by creating a close connection between human and natural needs. Marine biologists and environmentalists today promote the restoration of natural shorelines — at least where marine uses do not dominate – and advocate replacing crumbling bulkheads with natural vegetation that will improve water quality, and revive fish and wildlife

98 habitat. But this natural restoration should not preclude human use. Boardwalks, interpretive displays, and even more active uses such as playgrounds and picnic areas can be incorporated into the waterfront design without sacrificing environmental benefits.

Fig.7.6- Boardwalks provides opportunities to interact with wildlife along natural shorelines.

7.2.8 Making Big Changes through Small Steps

Unlike a master plan, the community visioning process of any public place development project should not lock a project into a prescribed solution. It should be a citizen-driven initiative that outlines a set of goals that set the stage for people to think boldly, make breakthroughs, and achieve new possibilities for their waterfront. Because a vision is adaptable and can be implemented gradually, starting with small experiments, it often becomes more powerful through time as public enthusiasm for making bold changes gains support.

Good public spaces don’t happen overnight. Placemaking is about doing more than planning. Many great plans get bogged down because they are too big, too expensive, and simply take too long to happen. Short-term actions, like planting flowers or make a walkway, can also be a good way not only to test ideas, but to also give people the confidence that change is occurring.

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Fig 7.7 Temporary uses might provide a successful example of how low-cost improvements with their surroundings to create great destinations.

7.3 Placemaking through Better Settings

The place making concept has turned out to be a powerful democracy-building tool that enables citizens and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to work effectively with local governments to restore public life and public spaces. The lack of great public spaces and public activity constitutes a major factor limiting social cohesion and true nation building.

The initial aim of this study is to learn how tourist’s place experience can be refined through the means of placemaking. Following recommendations are suggested based on the findings of this study. Although this particular study is conducted on the local people and tourists visiting Dhaka, nonetheless the findings can still be applied to the broader concept of placemaking.

· Choices and Options Activities are the basic essentials of a place. Offering things to do give people a reason to come to that place and possibly return again. For example, in this study the major purposes for coming to Dhaka are for business purpose. Besides, foreigners engage themselves in exploring the life style of a developing country.

100 To turn Dhaka one of the world capitals for business and culture, it must provide a high quality of life for its residents, workers, and visitors. As a major city, Dhaka should develop infrastructure and service sector as well as it should offer a wide range of tourist attractions, shopping, entertainment, and hotel and conference facilities. This is the way how Dhaka can create a distinctive city identity and image and can be able to establish itself as an attractive international tourist destination.

Diversity in tourism products is highly required. In this modern era, if we depend on the nature created hills, forests, and sea only for developing tourism sector; certainly that will not be enough. Several types of tourism such as convention tourism, environmental tourism, sports tourism, religious tourism etc can be brought into highlights which might give the visitors more choice and options.

Convention tourism can help the convention and visitor industry of the city to grow by differentiating Dhaka as an environmentally appealing or “green” destination. The initiative may engage individual businesses and associations, including the Convention Centers, Lodging Association, Restaurant Association, transportation vendors, tour operators, event planners etc.

International standard stadiums and accommodation can attract international sports events to be held in Dhaka. It can be a nice venue for Football, Cricket, Golf, or regional games if appropriate measures are taken.

Fig: 7.8 International standard Convention Centres/Accommodation/Shopping Mall To accommodate tourists.

101 At a time tourists also shop a lot, especially garments item, handicrafts, crockery as they are comparatively cheaper here in Dhaka than the world market. Although shopping experiences are conventionally done in indoor complexes, there is still room for improvement in taking shopping experiences to a different level. These can be achieved through the following suggestions:

Ø A mean of refining the shopping experience is to create‘different’ types of shopping such as the outdoor market or bazaars. Dhaka already has Bangabazar in Fulbaria and Hawkers Market in Dhanmondi which are highly explored by the local and foreign visitors. Still there are tourists who searches for the quality products, many of them prefer to shop for brand or exclusive product with also somewhat hefty price tags. This shopping experience can be found at upper class suburban malls. The tourists could be provided with designed outdoor avenue that opens a high standard of flea market that offers creative artworks, clothing and accessories of commendable standards and prices to diversify their shopping experiences.

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Fig:7.9 High standard flea market with ample walking space providing exclusive tourism product.

Ø As shopping can be end up in a tiring experience, more spaces for relaxing and sitting down without the obligation of purchasing anything can be provided. It is noticeable that inside the shopping complexes in entire Dhaka seating area is not provided anywhere, other than in the cafes. The same condition applies to Aarong or Bashundhara city and other shopping mall, where inside or outside the shopping mall, the number of benches can still be added.

Fig:7.10 Seating/waiting area in busy Township

Parks and recreational facilities should be developed to attract tourists from the recreational and leisure segments. High-tech theme park, night-safari can add interest to the adventure-lovers. Butterfly Park, Bird Park and speciality Garden can be set up to create diversity of activities.

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Fig: 7.11 Recreation facilities in the city.

To make the place-making principles work, squares and other public spaces that had been neglected previously should be brought into limelight. The new public spaces will create opportunities for people to gather freely and comfortably. And in this way these places all over the capital would turn into community assets as well as provide better place experience within the city.

Places need to be designed to foster interaction between people. A simple example would be ensuring that the way seating is arranged is conducive to conversation. If people are in groups, are talking, are smiling, using the space on a regular basis and moreover there is a mix of ages and ethnic groups that generally reflect the population, it can be assumed that the places sociability measures have been achieved.

Fig:7.12 Unscociable places.

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Fig:7.13 Places fostering public interaction

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There should have programs established for people that ensure there is a reason to go to any place, and a reason to come back. The most successful places are intensively scheduled with events designed to bring a wide variety of people to them throughout the year. It is important to consider both winter and the summer programs. There have to be a wide variety of activities to participate in (walking, eating, relaxing, reading, active recreation, games).

Several breathing zones should be designated in the city where driving is not allowed on public holidays. Bike race, Marathon, boat races can be arranged to create events.

Wide screen projector can be set up in squares or plazas for watching important event broadcasted by TV media. Football matches, National events, awareness building campaign and so on to make the places more popular.

Great places are easily accessible – on foot and visually. The place should be dominated by pedestrians. It should be a destination in and of itself, or along a heavily used pedestrian path. The place must be visible from a distance and easy to walk to the place. Sidewalks should lead to and from adjacent areas and the space must be used by people who work or live in adjacent area. A variety of transportation options needed to provide access to the place (car, bike, bus). Roads and paths through the space match where people want to go.

Users must perceive that a place is safe. It should be clean and it should be obvious that it is managed and being cared for. No one likes to come to a place that appears to be forgotten. The place must make a good first impression. The place must be prone to have more women than men (women are more discriminating about the types of public places they choose to use). There have to be a variety of places to sit. It must be clean. In successful places people are frequently seen to be taking pictures. In this kind of place people feel comfortable showing affection

.

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Fig: 7.14 Squares and Plazas in the city to enhance placemaking

Seating must be provided, If people are expected to frequent plazas and mini-parks,. Provide seating areas that enable interesting views. The most successful plazas will provide a variety of seating options. Steps, ledges and planter walls, benches and individual moveable chairs are all viable options, but are best when used together. The way seating is arranged required to be conducive to conversation.

Ledges and planter walls can be effective places for sitting. They should be deep enough to accommodate a human back side comfortably. Steps should not be counted on to provide the majority of the sitting space. They work for individuals and couples, but when more than two people gather on steps, it becomes awkward to maintain eye contact and position them in ways that foster conversation. Benches at right angles to one another tend to foster conversation in a group whereas a single bench without anything in front of it may appeal to an individual.

Whenever possible, make the seating moveable as they allow opportunities for larger groups to gather at the same table. Fixed seating is strongly discouraged in public places. As they are fixed, there is no opportunity to pull an unused chair from another table and people go somewhere else where they can sit together if it’s a big group. The unused chairs at the table with one sitter become a waste of money and space.

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Fig: 7.15 Different kind of seating option in Squares and Plazas in the city to enhance placemaking

108 Plants are encouraged to be used in squares, parks and plazas. For safety reasons, planting design for public spaces should not limit views through the space. Opportunities for seasonal plantings should be provided throughout the space to enhance color, seasonal interest and confirm that the place is managed and cared for. This can be done through the use of pots and provision of space within planting beds for annuals.

Fig: 7.16 Plants creating canopy over roads and creating different kind of experience.

One way to ensure that many of the successful place characteristics are achieved in a new place is to create a sense of ownership among the stakeholders of that place. The design process of any new public space in the Redevelopment Area should include substantial opportunities for authentic public input.

As one of the most visited architecture of Dhaka, Our National Parliament Building is a perfect location for placemaking. Incorporating new activities in the open spaces around the structures might change the complete atmosphere of the entire area. Every year, when the parliament activities is not in run, the street behind the Parliament building might be closed to vehicles and the entire area can be transformed into a public place. People of all ages would like to come to the area to enjoy skating, exercising, dance lessons, kite flying, gathering, and playing football. Amenities might include chairs, cafés, misting fountains, trees, mobile library and so on. In this way it can be turned into a successful public square where all members of the community— people of different ages, trades and educational levels can come together. It would be a great option for people who could not leave town during the holidays.

109 Activities that can be done during sightseeing must also be refined and designed to be more proactive, rather than just a go-see experience. Activity packages at the attraction of visit can be further polished to encourage more participation and involvement such as through hands-on experience by the tourists. Chess and other games can be rented from a kiosk, temporary activities like bowling can be planned and accommodated (in this case bowling), and movies can be shown throughout the winter or public holidays or weekend evenings. Activities can include green markets, art fairs, lunch time concerts, outdoor ice skating, model boating, community meetings, art displays, vending, eating, and gardening. Moreover, information centre, proper lighting and signage, small cafe, souvenir shop, display hall etc have to be established in proper location. Then there will always be a reason to come back.

When the program is developed during the design phase, the place can be designed so that the most likely activities will be accommodated. For example, if a large wall adjacent to a small park would be great to show movies on, trees should not be planted in front of the wall.

Fig: 7.17 Information centre/ Display Hall/ Souvenir shop/café all under same roof at strategic places. Street lighting plays major role for making a vibrant place.

· Reinforcing Patterns and Sequence Continuity of Experience is another character that shall be carefully planned and thought. Even without offering experience in tour packages, the setting itself is able to give the experience of patterns and sequence when designed with this aim in mind. Following are some of the ways to achieve pattern and sequence.

110 Ø Through landscape and urban design, certain consistency of form, materials items and arrangements can give an identity to that particular spot, when the tourists traverse to the next spot, they will be able to feel and experience the transitions and difference.

For example, old Dhaka is characterized by dense buildings, narrow street, food stall, business outlets, colourful decorative materials shops. These design features have given a special identity to old Dhaka.

New Dhaka is more specious than old Dhaka. The Dhaka university area is green, calm, shaded with big trees, decorated with monuments. Its always lively with students from Dhaka University, Dhaka Medical college, Fine Arts Institutes, BUET.

After The university area the busy cityscape starts with its full activeness up to green and specious cantonment and then comes the residential area of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Bashundhara, Uttara.

It’s evident that patterns and sequence is present there in Dhaka and it can be found if searched with care. With deliberate effort it’s not impossible to reinforce specific pattern and sequence in this city.

Fig:7.18 Creating pattern and sequence through six season gardens along the patterned parking area in the foreground.

111 Ø Edges of space are important as well, where it is more interesting to provide walkways close to shops and places of activities, rather than being too separated away. A stroll from one location to another through several of activities can give a better walking experience. However, the comfort and safety measure must also be taken into account as a rich walking experience will break if one feel unsafe or uncomfortable in the situation. For example, pedestrian walkways along the lakes and river in Dhaka could also reinforce its design characters as a nostalgic part of town through the use of materials that resemble Dhaka in the older days.

Ø Additionally, urban trails for tourists can be designed and promoted to tourists in Dhaka through City Guides or even as a package to navigate their sightseeing experience. With a sound knowledge in tourism, tourism planners should be able to direct the tourist’s routes, building on one experience to another, by suggesting the places that they should visit first, or what they should do next, in some order.

Fig: 7.19 Urban trails create unique sightseeing experience within the city.

112 · Rich Materials for Fantasies and Memories Memories and fantasies without a doubt depend on the users themselves. However, placemaking can help to refine the memorable experience of tourists through activities that give an impact to them. This again relates to “choices and options” which is by providing them with diverse alternatives of activities, depending on the level of experience that they seek. Recommended ways to give a memorable experience are as follows:

Culture and History based place making Ø The local festivals of Pahela Baishakh, 21st February, Durga Puja, Spring Festival, Book Fair, Trade Fair should be promoted through media advertisement for international attention. The events like ‘Tajia Utshab’ during Ashura, Shakrain ‘Kite Fair’ of old Dhaka in winter is worth to be noticed specially. The food street of Chawk Bazar during Ramadan is Special of its kind. It requires special attention to create a place to enjoy this kind of traditional festivals.

Fig: 7.20 Shakrain –an unique celebration of the people of old Dhaka.

Ø Rejuvenation of the city’s Old Town is required to make it a more welcoming and comfortable destination for visitors and locals alike. Historical buildings of old Dhaka require proper conservation. It will revitalize the essence of the place. Celebrating program that connect to old Dhaka’s tradition in Ahsan Manzil and Lalbagh can widespread the culture to the visitors. Specially Shakrain (poush shankranti) is special of its kind. Light and sound show in regular basis, along with

113 river cruise and food stalls can be added to visitor’s experience. Adequate lighting , sitting, gathering points, food arrangement, cleanliness and safety can enhance the place experiences over this places.

Ø William H. Whyte said, “If you want to seed a place with activity, put out food.” Food draws people to a place who attract more people. It can be provided by adjacent restaurants and cafés, or by temporary stands and carts. Designers of public spaces in the Redevelopment Area are encouraged to accommodate places for vending carts. The ultimate effect is that those coming to a small park may also grab an ice cream cone from the shop a couple doors down from the plaza on the way back to the home. In the end, everyone benefits from the higher concentration of users and activity and of course economy generated in the place.

Fig: 7.21 Food draws people.

Ø Adding up new and creative approaches to sightseeing and shopping experience can also be enhanced through dining experience. Local Eateries have great opportunity to enhance gastronomic experiences for tourists and should be added into the Dhaka City Guide. Food Street of Chawk Bazar can be converted into a round the year event while working with accessibility and adaptable development of the area. International chain fast food shops should be more available in the city. Tourists find it more comfortable to take food in internationally renowned food outlets.

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Fig: 7.22 Chawk Bazar food street of old Dhaka during Ramadan – it can be turned into a great destination for tourist if it becomes a round the year event and greater accessibility is ensured.

There might be food courts having all sort of food stalls ranging from local, continental, Chain fast food shops in various public places where people can come and have their lunch or dinner without going anywhere and choose any kind of food they like. There could be food kiosks in certain places providing street food, specialty food and fruit hawkers rather than letting them wander around the place.

Ø The study has also found National parliament building as one of the most visited tourist attractions. As a world’s famous architecture it is an experience of its own. The information whether tourists are allowed to visit the parliament building and the charge should be easily known. Photography with ‘Parliament Building’ in the background might provide a memorable experience if the tourists are involved directly with the building and a particular spot can be maintained to have the best photography with this monumental building.

Fig: 7.23 National Assembly Building area can be a vibrant place for the city. Photography with National Assembly Building of Bangladesh

115 Ø Holiday Market can be set up in the open plaza of Parliament House-when the parliament activities are not in run. It can be turned into a great civic point as once it was. Combining the lake and water body behind and along with the Chandrima Uddyan it can generate actual placemaking standard within the new part of Dhaka. Exclusive Shopping venues all are nearby. Exotic Dining experience is not also far from the place. Accommodation is within reach if the traffic congestion could be handled effectively.

Ø Old Airport at Tejgaon can be used for many interesting activities along with national parade during national events. Helicopter riding, Para-trooping and other celebration in this area can add flavor to the entertainment level of the city dwellers as well as the tourists.

Ø Dhaka University area is a great place for people of Dhaka; this area is always vibrant with different kind of public activities. A little attention can go far in case of space feelings refinement.

Water body based place making Ø River cruise in particular are of great interest to tourists as they give an insight into the traditional Bangladeshi way of life. A river cruise experience from the old town to other parts of city areas promoted by the Parjatan Corporation may also give a different kind of experience to the tourists. Being in a traditional boat such as the ‘sampan’ in the middle of a busy metropolitan city can provoke or stimulate a different feeling. A slower-paced view of the city can be seen from the river. Consideration in revitalizing the urban river system may add effectively to the placemaking process. Nonetheless, transforming the river into a useful touristic site in the future has its benefits.

Fig: 7.24 River Cruise can be a memorable experience if the river banks are planned deliberately.

116 Ø Special attention should be paid to River Buri-Ganga and its restoration. Deliberately planned activities will provide more community gathering spaces and plus create an opportunity to create a better-defined outdoor connection with the places adjacent to the water body to turn the river side into community places that serve as civic anchors and destinations.

Ø Well paved and well designed walkway built all along the river would encourage walking for the visitors and local people. Decorated planters, waste bin, sitting bench, street light after reasonable intervals, jogging track and exercise stations can make these riverfront garden more attractive to the people. Shading trees, seasonal flowerbed, informal sitting can be used for beautification of the riverside and create more scope for placemaking. It would be magnificent if the green plateau passes throughout the entire riverside neighborhood.

Fig: 7.25 Present way of dining can be converted into a sophisticated dining experience.

Fig: 7.26Instead of untreated river side, stepped bank can be a good place for enjoying the river.

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Fig: 7.27 Well designed bridges can be a place of attraction if a standing place is provided accordingly. Well paved walkway is a treasure to the River bank.

Fig: 7.28 Defferent kind of sitting arrangement along the riverside parks, walkway enhances the public space quality.

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Fig: 7.29 Well defined places for multiple kind of activity can make the place more vibrant.

Fig: 7.30 walkway and sitting arrangement along the River

Fig: 7.31 Jogging trail, sitting arrangement and open to theatre by the River side

119 Ø Open to air theatre built at appropriate positions can hold the public gathering, live performances, and cultural shows. Those can also be used as celebration point, where people might have gather for special day celebration and enjoy water show, fireworks and other program. These am phi-theatres can also be used for informal sitting during normal days.

Ø Water taxi can be provided in the river for group cruising. Boating facilities, canoeing, aqua biking also can be added to the recreational facilities. Fishing deck, Bird feeding points can be provided for diversifying the activities and attract visitors.

Fig: 7.32 Fishing deck and bird feeding point.

Ø Riverside Promenades can be a good place for photo exhibitions. Sculptural design features of exhibition stands can work as an unique landscaping element.

Fig: 7.33 Exhibition Area.

120 Building fountains and water features for year-round appeal and by ensuring proper maintenance would add stone to the place making process. One thing need to remember that the design should look as attractive in the winter as it does in the summer, whether it is on or off. This can often be achieved by incorporating sculptural elements within the fountain design that are pleasing to look at whether water is flowing over them or not. When the space needs to be used for other activities, it can be turned off. In Public places, fountains can be shut off for several months of the year. Another method is to use nozzles that spray up from below decorative pavement. When they are turned off, it is not apparent that a water feature is not operating.

Fig: 7.34 Water features that can be turned off without hampering aesthetic value of the area as well as it can make the adjacent area cooler during summer while it’s in use.

Recognize that fountains require significant maintenance. If resources are not available to provide on-going, long-term maintenance, water should not be used.

Fig: 7.35 Water features and its uses.

121 Designers are encouraged to create fountains that allow access to and interaction with the water. One of the most compelling qualities of water is the feel of it gushing over a hand or soothing aching feet. Anyone arriving at an interesting feature only to find a sign that says “Do Not Touch” will find that their excitement at discovering the fountain is overwhelmed by the negative emotions created by the regulation.

Many proposals have been made and studied on the revitalization of the Lakes in Dhaka. Hatirjhil and Dhanmondi has become a role model of successful lake restoration project in the country. Especially Hatirjhil project has become a new place for the people of Dhaka to gather, socialize, relax and enjoy.

· A Sense of Identity Dhaka is perceived by the tourists as having its own identity. Generally, the city is known as an active urban area. What makes Dhaka unique when compared to other major cities in the country must be established. Therefore, in gearing towards this aspiration, some are the means to complement the image aand identity of the city are like below:

Ø Landscape and urban design in Dhaka should be in consistent themes, in terms of form, materials, items and arrangements, so that the larger picture is clearly identifiable. For example, signature planting can be made known throughout the city, as buildings and larger structures are much harder to augment. Incorporating ‘Shapla’ flower in the landscape design, Light post design might show an effort in shaping an identity of the city as well as the country itself by including national flower in landscaping.

Ø Ensuring security through lighting as it always upholds the quality of a tourist attraction place. Lighting is an important component of creating a safe night- time environment in any public space as well as gives aesthetic value to a place.

122 Although the primary purpose is nighttime visibility for security and safety, successful street lighting takes into account the human users of the street. Lighting increases safety in areas that people use, such as doorways and bus stops, aids in geographic orientation, as people can use well-lit focal points (fountains, buildings, bridges, towers, sculpture, et al.) as landmarks to help them find their way, highlights the identity and history of an area, for well-lit historic details draw attention to the uniqueness of an area, Creates a sense of drama.

Lighting can be used in many ways to enhance or refine the place feelings. Like-

Landscaping: Trees lit with small white “bee” lights have become a popular sight in many cities even outside the holiday season, perhaps because they impart a magical feeling and bring positive attention to streets and public spaces.

Transit stops: People feel more secure when bus, train, or trolley stops are well-lit. Lighting also draws attention to and encourages use of such amenities.

Fig: 7.36 Lighting as Aesthetical features .

Entrances: Careful evening lighting around building entrances — especially in residential building doorways — contributes to the safety of a district even more than indiscriminate use of bright lighting that is not focused on areas of use.

Edges: The edges of a park or plaza – particularly any interesting gateposts, fences, and specimen trees visible from the adjacent street -should be lit to help define and identify the interior space. Buildings located on the edges of a park can also have seasonal lights, bringing attention to the larger district beyond the park.

123 Retail displays: Lighting retail displays, even when stores are closed, not only provides ambient light for the street, but also encourages window-shopping. This tactic can help to increase the number of people on a street, which is a major contributor to security.

Architectural details: A city should provide lighting system that can illuminate architecturally significant and historical building as well give the city an extraordinary look. Lighting entrances, archways, cornices, columns, and so forth can call attention to the uniqueness of a building, place, or district and bring a sense of drama to the experience of walking at night.

Signage: Well-lit maps, along with directional and informational signage, are essential to providing orientation at night.

Focal points: Lighted sculpture, fountains, bridges, towers, and other major elements in a district, especially those visible to passing pedestrians and vehicles, provide another form of way finding.

As a traffic-calming device: The difference between a pedestrian-lit street and a highly illuminated highway automatically signals drivers that they have entered a new and different zone, and compels them to slow their driving speed.

For instance, if the main use of the street is to channel a rapid flow of traffic (e.g. a highway or major arterial), the recommended light level would differ from that of a low-traffic residential street – which should in turn differ from a pedestrian-oriented downtown street. Street lighting that is implemented as part of an overall streetscape design in conjunction with other elements, such as benches, bus stops, and waste receptacles, will reflect the pedestrian-oriented quality of the street, and can potentially enable the off-street area (sidewalks, plazas, pocket parks) to be more conducive to pedestrian and merchant activities.

The choice of light fixtures must meet the community’s preferences, based on the character of the street and surrounding neighborhood. Factors to consider include materials, colors, and finishes and style. Finally, in order to design the street as a public space. They should appear compatible with litter receptacles and other street

124 furniture. The fixture components (base, pole, luminaries) should have stylistic compatibility, while varying in form according to functional requirements. In addition, items that are attached to the fixtures (signs, signals, signal box, etc.) should coordinate in appearance.

Lighting levels and an overall lighting plan must be derived from a number of existing conditions as street width, sidewalk width, path width (in parks or plazas), typical height of buildings, number, placement, and types of trees, types of paved surfaces, roadway geometries, length of the block. There are also secondary functions for light poles like individual pole decorations or banners, Street-spanning banners or decorations for holidays or special events, or even planters.

Night lighting might be important tools to create memories for the tourists about the night life of the city. For this purpose important building should provide lighting system that can illuminate them as well give the city an extraordinary look. Specially, architecturally significant and historical building should be included in this project immediately.

Ø The connecting bridges over the water-bodies those emphasize local culture with modern techniques must be there and they must be illuminated with proper lighting. It would add more aesthetic value to the area and the bridges are with proper security can also be turned into a vibrant public place during evening, even at night.

Fig: 7.37 Night Lighting and Aesthetically designed bridges.

125 Ø The provision of urban parks near shopping malls, such as in KLCC in Kualalumpur, Malaysia, will not only encourage local citizens to appreciate the outdoor space more, but will also strengthen the garden city image. Furthermore, parks can always serve as transition points, resting place or alternative venues to conduct activities and festivals, and its location near shopping malls enable it to attract instant crowds. Ramna park, Sohrawardi Uddyan and Usmani Uddyan has the potential to become breathing spaces for the areas, not only for the locals but for the tourist as well. However, more design development is needed to improve the conduciveness of these parks and ensure they can attract people to utilize it. They may include: good places to sit( free from accumulated trash, debris and bird droppings), lot of gathering points, visible and attractive entrances and visually accessible spaces, conveniently located transit stops, domination of a place by pedestrians, paths that leading where people want to go and moreover something (Fair, exhibition, rally, street drama) is going on the year round.

Ø Blank walls around the edges of a place destroy uplifted space feelings. In Dhaka Government and Autonomous Institution acquiring a great amount of land within its boundary and maximum is unutilized and edges are defined by the blank walls. It would be great if part of the land has been given for public use, specially by the high traffic road to create bi-cycle lane and extended public facilities ( like waiting, garden, hawker street, flower shop, public toilet) between Building and Footpath. In that case surely the streets would have been more active and vibrant at a time. Ø Many public spaces suffer from being too big, and too wide open. In the Redevelopment Area, designers are encouraged to develop spaces that are comfortable and human in scale. Large barren spaces consisting of redundant patterns or monotonous forms are strongly discouraged.

Kevin Lynch suggested that a dimension of 40 feet appears intimate in scale; up to 80 feet is still a pleasant human scale. And that most of the successful enclosed squares in the past have not exceeded 450 feet in the smaller dimension. (According to Jan Gehl the maximum distance for being able to see an event is 230 to 330 feet. The maximum distance for seeing facial expressions is 65 to 80 feet).

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Fig: 7.38 Parks and plazas adjacent to very large buildings should include some kind of overhead plane to create spatial enclosure and make the space feel human in scale. Trellises, trees and umbrellas are all effective means of achieving this.

A varied ground plane can help to create the visual complexity that can be helpful in breaking a large space down to more comfortably-scaled sub-areas. Concrete is allowed in public spaces. Brick, concrete unit pavers, asphalt block, and stone pavement are encouraged.

Changes in elevation can have a significant psychological impact on the attractiveness of a space. Many people enjoy the sensation that viewing public activities from a height provides. Changes in elevation can also help to separate activities like seating from pedestrian circulation.

Creative peacemaking is a great tools to create vibrant place for tourists. Creating a places for open air show or even a place designed for a flute player or folk singer in a public squares add value to the place experience. A Deliberate inclusion of a chess play board , or sunken sitting area, exhibition trail along pedestrian walkway bring diversity to the streetscape and make room for civic engagement. Uniquely Designed Photo shooting places can also be turned into really as a place of interest.

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Fig: 7.39 A pedestrian walkway designed to accomodate an exhibition during walk.

Fig: 7.40 Sunken Sitting Area.

Fig: 7.41 Excellent features for resting and photo shooting as well as.

128 Climatic consideration can be wonderfully included in ‘creative placemaking process’. Misting fountain in hot and humid weather soothes the passerby and keep the built environment cool. Thus eventually become a gathering place for the visitors.

Fig: 7.42 miscellaneous example of creative place making through weather control

Many public spaces receive their identity from art placed within them. Sculpture should be fabricated from materials that can be expected to last long enough to respect the emotional and financial investment in the piece. Artwork and large scale wall Mural can be a component of a larger composition rather than an object in the middle of a space – a quality that is encouraged in the Redevelopment Area.

Fig: 7.43 miscellaneous example of creative place making through sculpture

129 Ø Consistency does not mean conformity; therefore there is no need to ‘Bengalize’ everything. The identity of Bangladesh is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation, and it should sustain that way to retain its uniqueness. The visitors themselves should play their role as tourists to become more aware and identifying the differences of culture and lifestyle from other countries. Therefore, places like National Museums, Mosques, Temples and Churches can be further developed to relate the characters and history of the country, rather than just merely imitating western design influences.

· Highlighting Personal Awareness Personal awareness depends on the consciousness of the tourists themselves. Differences in cultures, similarities in religion may stimulate various perceptions or give new knowledge to individuals. Awareness can be stipulated up not only through formal presentation of information such as in museums or galleries, but also through publications and descriptions of the daily lives of the local people. From conversations with local people, or from reading local magazines, tourist can be learned individually, with a sound knowledge of the place they are visiting. Especially leaflets in the arrival lounge of the air ports & hotels might help to grow personal awareness about the city. Personal awareness can be highlighted through:

Ø Distribute local publications to tourists and a more locally-tuned description of places in brochures and pamphlets rather than merely touristic information. Information distributed should be constantly updated. Local places of interest and local eateries should be promoted more to the tourists. Monthly schedule of cultural events can be presented in published form by Tourism Promotion Board.

Ø Create more involving activities so the tourists can understand the meaning of their activities as part of the experience in Dhaka. For example, while visiting Baitul Mukarrum Mosque, Dhakeshwari Temple, Armenian Church and the Guru Duara Nanak Shahi tourists can be made to understand how people of diverse culture and religion are able to live in harmony for hundreds of years. This can be achieved through interpretation from tour guides or written information.

130 · Highlighting Opportunity Places with special features that can be easily identified are more likely to attract more use by tourists than the ones that are only known by the insiders of the place. This again relates to providing choices and options and different alternatives to the tourists. Opportunities can be made more visible through these recommendations.

Ø Signage, access and transportation linkage also play major role in connecting these less familiar places to the more familiar places. Signage and transport linkage are important in linking the accommodation areas of the tourists with attraction areas that they visit. Proper signage towards the point of interest and proper advertisement is required to direct visitors to the intended area. Ø Each tourist attraction spot should have Information centre, Small museum or display hall, Proper lighting and signage, adequate transport facilities, small cafe within its territory, souvenir shop etc. Ø Short-term actions, like planting flowers or make a walkway, designed street lights can also be a good way to give people the confidence that change is occurring.

Fig: 7.44 Parks can always serve as transition points, resting place or alternative venues to conduct activities and festivals.

· Active Vitality Dhaka is undoubtedly an active city. It is clearly perceptible that the city is generated by the patterns of users’ activities. As long as Dhaka retains its function as a metropolitan, its activeness could only be increased. The most important thing is the activeness have to be managed by taking systematic, administrative approach so that the crowd is controlled, traffic is reduced, law and order is maintained.

131 Cleanliness should be maintained everywhere in the city. Public amenities like clean Public toilet at important places and regular disposal of garbage within the city should be ensured. Safety should be ensured in various cultural programs, fairs, concert and shopping malls, different historical and cultural sites. Cordial behavior with tourists also should be ensured rather than putting a curious look at them.

Traffic congestion Management is vital in the context of Dhaka. The situation can only be handled by improving public transit, reducing car traffic, encouraging walking and biking. To encourage walking sidewalks have to be widened, for shaded footpath trees should be planted along road side. Creating an extensive network of cycling paths and nature trails would encourage cycling that contribute to reduce environmental pollution. High parking charge might discourage use of private vehicle and might increase the use of public transport. This kind of deliberate decisions will consciously make it less appealing for people to drive in the city. A new underground rail system network is under consideration from one end to the other end of the city, linking a dozen of stoppages within the city. This would certainly work if it is worked out effectively.

7.4 Refining tourists’ place experience in Dhaka

Refining tourism attractions in Dhaka must be need based, keeping all integrated sustainable approaches, scientific conservation, nature based ornamentation under consideration. Culturally representative architectural design, heritage motif may be the key point of refining. Ruins should be reconstructed based on history and heritage. Adequate parking, public transport, café, public toilet, souvenir shop, night lighting, and signage at proper place above all security always uphold the quality of a tourist attraction place. Strategic refining management is really giant task. Still, systematic approach towards these problems will definitely pay off.

132 Considerations while making places for visitors as well as tourists.

· Design places for people by considering human scale and needs. Strive for human-scaled spaces within larger parks, squares and plazas.

· Review the four qualities (Sociability, Uses & activities, Comfort & Image, Access & Linkage) of successful places when creating new urban spaces.

· Be sure to provide plenty of functional, usable seating. Whenever possible, make the seating moveable.

· Provide other amenities like trash receptacles, bike racks, trees, and lighting.

· Design fountains and water features for year-round appeal. Recognize that fountains require significant maintenance.

· Make art part of public spaces as much as possible. Explore abstract sculptural forms in addition to literal forms.

· Create programs for public spaces that provide people a reason to go there at different times of the day and year.

· Make food an important part of the design of the public space. · Manage public spaces – Build and leave must not be a way.

All of these activity needs to be scheduled and managed by some management authority. 80% of the success of any public space can be attributed to its management (PPS). Planning staffs of Ministry, DCC or a neighbourhood organization that “adopts” a public space can provide management. It doesn’t matter as along as someone is identified who can be consistent in their efforts to make sure something is always going on, and that the place is clean and well-maintained.

Strategic refining management is really giant task. Still, systematic approach towards these problems will definitely pay off. Designers should lead conversations during the design and input phases to determine ways to activate the space.

133 7.5 Recommendations for Future Research For future research, there are two important areas that could be undertaken as follows:

a) Study on space utilization by tourists: The aim of this study is to evaluate the place experience of the tourists in Dhaka City. This type of study is usually undertaken to get a general feeling on how place characters influence tourist’s place experience, and to identify which place characters are considered important. However, it does not cover the details of activities conducted by the tourists, which may give further insights on how placemaking can be used as a mean to refine their tourist experience. Further studies are suggested to investigate how urban spaces are used by tourists for their activities, and which specific places need more attention in enhancing its place characters. b) In depth study on each of the place characters tested: An important finding in this study reveals that all the place characters tested are important characters in ensuring that the tourists gain the best experiences. The above finding demands an immediate investigation concerning the details as to how precisely their experiences can be refined. For example, how can a memorable place experience be created for the tourists? A qualitative research approach should help identify and address the problem in greater detail.

7.6 Conclusion

A place is made up of physical and social attributes, activities and is used by people. In the context of tourism, tourists come to a place to experience what the place has to offer, and from this, the tourists are engaged in “place experience”. The process of placemaking enhances, improves or modifies place characters. It is a tool to strengthen place characters in order to refine place experience. Placemaking is not limited to refining tourist experiences only, but is an approach that could be applied in any place-creation for all types of users. Placemaking is an important tool for tourism destinations like Dhaka, to ensure that the tourist attractions do not lose their local identity and design of tourist spots take into account their surrounding context, such as the local people and places.

134 Through multiple place evaluation workshops, a variety of community stakeholders, public agencies, and private firms can produce a collective vision for a broad range of uses to draw people to the public squares or plaza.

The study reveals that the place characters are “important” to the tourists visiting Dhaka, therefore further development should continue from this direction. It is vital to provide what is important to the tourists to ensure that they make a return visit in the future. But what is equally important is to strengthen the local place characters of Dhaka. “Modernity coupled with an indigenous intelligence can guide Dhaka well in to the coming century.” (Shannon and Nilufar, 2008).

Through multiple place evaluation workshops, a variety of community stakeholders, public agencies, and private firms can produce a collective vision for a broad range of uses to draw people to the public squares or plaza. This approach can contribute effectively to the needs of the tourist, while the characteristics and uniqueness of the Dhaka as a tourist destination might be established.

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Appendix I : Questionnaire (A) Tour Operator Survey Questionnaire TOUR OPERATOR SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE Refining Tourists’ Space Experience through Placemaking: a Study of Dhaka City

This survey is intended to understand your experience as tour operator in Dhaka City. Please take a moment to complete this form. Your evaluation is our most valuable sources of information.

1. Operator’s Name: 2. Years of Establishment: 3. Most popular tourist route in Dhaka: 4. Most popular places for tourist in Dhaka:

Shopping Dining Cultural Site Sight seeing Entertainment others

5. Tourist Demographics:

a. Country of Origin: b. Age: c. Gender: d. Education e. Occupation f. Purpose of visit g. Party Composition: h. Length of Stay/Service: i. Mode of transportation: j. Accommodation: i. Prior Experience in Dhaka:

6. What are the recommendations for improving place experience of tourists in Dhaka? …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank You for Your Co-Operation & enjoy your day

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(B) City Dwellers Survey Questionnaire

CITY DWELLERS SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE Refining Tourists’ Space Experience through Placemaking: a Study of Dhaka City

This survey is intended to understand your experience as an inhabitant of Dhaka City. Please take a moment to complete this form. Your evaluation is our most valuable sources of information.

Name: Gender: [ ] Male [ ] Female Age (years): [ ] < 20 [ ] 20-29 [ ] 30-39 [ ] 40-49 [ ] 50-59 [ ] 60 > Highest education background: [ ] No formal education [ ] Primary [ ] Secondary [ ] Certificate/Diploma [ ] Bachelor or Higher Occupation: [ ] Student [ ] Self-Employed [ ] Housewife [ ] Businessman [ ] Executive / Managerial [ ] Professional [ ] Retired [ ] Others: …………………………………………………….. Where are you staying in Dhaka City: …………………………………………………… How do you spend leisure time in Dhaka City? [ ] Sightseeing [ ] Shopping [ ] Dining [ ] Visiting Friends/Relatives [ ] Clubbing [ ] Cultural programs [ ] Others …………………………….…………………………………………………….. Have you ever went abroad to spend your vacation? [ ] Never [ ] Once [ ] Twice [ ] Thrice [ ] More than three times

Please mention the places you usually visit in Dhaka for spending time :

Shopping Eating Cultural Sight Entertainment Others Site seeing

What are the recommendations for improving place experience of tourists in Dhaka? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank You for Your Co-Operation & enjoy your day

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(C) Tourist Survey Questionnaire

TOURIST SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE Refining Tourists’ Space Experience through Placemaking: a Study of Dhaka City

This survey is intended to understand your experience as a visitor/tourist in Dhaka City. Please take a moment to complete this form. Your evaluation is our most valuable sources of information. Thank you for choosing to visit the city of Dhaka.

1.PLACE CHARACTARISTICS IMPORTANCE EVALUATION

How important are the following place characteristics to you while visiting any place? Please [X] your answers. Rate of Importance (scale): [1] Very Unimportant [2] Unimportant [3] Neutral [4] Important [5] Very Important 1 The place gives you a variety of options to Choose. 1 2 3 4 5 2 The place gives you a sequence of experience, one after another. 1 2 3 4 5 3 The place gives you valuable memories or feelings 1 2 3 4 5 4 The place gives you an image of its own identity. 1 2 3 4 5 5 The place gives you new knowledge or awareness. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The place highlights different opportunities it can offer. 1 2 3 4 5 7 The place gives you a sense of active vitality. 1 2 3 4 5

2. PLACE CHARACTARISTICS EVALUATION

How would you evaluate the place characteristics that you have experienced in Dhaka City? Please [X] your answers.

Rate of Evaluation (scale): [0] No Opinion [1] Strongly Disagree [2] Disagree [3] Agree [4] Strongly Agree 1 Dhaka gives you a variety of options to Choose. 0 1 2 3 4 2 Dhaka gives you a sequence of experience, one after another. 0 1 2 3 4 3 Dhaka gives you valuable memories or feelings 0 1 2 3 4 4 Dhaka has its own identity and image. 0 1 2 3 4 5 Dhaka gives you new knowledge or awareness. 0 1 2 3 4 6 Dhaka highlights different opportunities it can offer. 0 1 2 3 4 7 Dhaka gives you a sense of active vitality. 0 1 2 3 4

3. TOURIST EXPERIENCE

How would you evaluate your overall experience in Dhaka City? Please [X] Your answers.

Rate of Evaluation (scale): [0] No Opinion [1] Strongly Disagree [2] Disagree [3] Agree [4] Strongly Agree 1 I get to do what I want to do here. 0 1 2 3 4 2 I enjoy my experiences here. 0 1 2 3 4 3 I would remember my activities here. 0 1 2 3 4 4 I am satisfied with my visit to Dhaka City 0 1 2 3 4 5 I would visit Dhaka City again. 0 1 2 3 4 6 I will recommend Dhaka City to my friends or relatives. 0 1 2 3 4 7 There are more scopes of refinement of place characters of Dhaka 0 1 2 3 4

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4. Evaluate your following experiences in Dhaka? Please [X] your answers.

Rate of Evaluation (scale): [1] Very poor [2] poor [3] average [4] good [5] excellent 1 The quality of accommodation available here in Dhaka 1 2 3 4 5 2 The cleanliness and upkeep of the city 1 2 3 4 5 3 Tourists’ personal safety from crime 1 2 3 4 5 4 Accessibility of attraction points of the city 1 2 3 4 5 5 The level of crowding and congestion 1 2 3 4 5 6 The range of nightlife and entertainment available 1 2 3 4 5 7 The range of restaurants and eating establishment in the city 1 2 3 4 5 8 The pleasurability of leisure shopping within the city 1 2 3 4 5 9 The price levels of goods and services in the city 1 2 3 4 5 10 The city’s aesthetic value 1 2 3 4 5 11 The range of cultural and artistic amenities 1 2 3 4 5 12 The level of helpfulness among local people 1 2 3 4 5

5. TOURIST PROFILE Please [x] as needed or write your answer.

Gender: [ ] Male [ ] Female Age (years): [ ] < 20 [ ] 20-29 [ ] 30-39 [ ] 40-49 [ ] 50-59 [ ] 60 > Country of residence: ……………………………………………………………………………. Highest education background: [ ] No formal education [ ] Primary [ ] Secondary [ ] Certificate/Diploma [ ] Bachelor or Higher Occupation: [ ] Student [ ] Self-Employed [ ] Housewife [ ] Businessman [ ] Executive / Managerial [ ] Professional [ ] Retired [ ] Others: …………………………………………………….. Main purpose of visiting Dhaka City: [ ] Sightseeing / Vacation [ ] Academic Visit [ ] Business [ ] Visiting Friends/Relatives [ ] Others …………………………………….…………………………………………………….. Traveling with: [ ] Alone [ ] Friends/Partner [ ] Family/Relatives [ ] In a big group (more than 5 people) Main mode of transport getting around Dhaka City: [ ] Walking [ ] Own/Rented Transport [ ] Public Transport [ ] Tour Bus/Coach Where are you staying in Dhaka City: …………………………………………………… How many times you have visited Dhaka [ ] First visit [ ] 2nd visit [ ] 3rd or more visits

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6. Please mention the places you have visited in Dhaka City:

Tourist Entertainment Shopping Places Dining Area Others Attractions Area

6. What are the recommendations for improving place experience of tourists in Dhaka?

………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………...... ………………………………………………………………… Thank You for Your Co-Operation & enjoy your day

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Appendix II: List of 100 Tourist Attraction Spots Selected by Parjatan Corporation

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN DHAKA

Tourist Attractions: [ ]Ra mna Rescourse [ ] Ramkrisna Mission [ ]Jagannath College [ ] Ahsan Manjil [ ]Rayer Bazar slaughter – [ ] Seven Domes [ ] National Museum [ ] Lalbagh Fort house memorial Mosque for Science and [ ] Curjon Hall (boddho [ ] Kortalab Khan Technology [ ] Shankhari Bajar vumi) Mosque Entertainment [ ] Bahadur Shah Park [ ]Mertyred Inellectuals [ ] Binod Bibir Mosque Area: [ ]Central Shaheed Memorial(Shaheed [ ]Musa Khan Mosque [ ] Ramna Park Minar buddhijibi Graveyard) [ ] Armenian church [ ] Baldha Garden [ ] Bangabandhu [ ]Jinjira Palace [ ] Wari Narinda [ ] Botanical Garden Memorial [ ]Rose Garden Christian [ ] Dhanmondi Lake Museum [ ]Lal Kuthi Graveyard [ ] Dhaka Zoo [ ]Nimtoli kuthi []Tomb of Bibi Champa [ ] Chak Mosque [ ] Wonderland [ ]Tanti Bazar [ ] Kamalapur Railway [ ] Dhaka International [ ] Shishu Park [ ]Babu Bazar Station Buddhist Bihara [ ]Chandrima Uddyan [ ]Banglabazar [ ] Chameli Bhaban [ ] Azimpur Mosque [ ]Shyamoli [ ]The Cannon of Bibi [ ] JalladKhana Cenotaph [ ] Kasaituli Mosque Shishumela Mariam [ ] Star Mosque [ ] Mosque of Haji Shopping Places: [ ]Hossaini Dalan [ ] Dhakeswari Temple Khaja [ ]Dhaka New Market [ ]Old High Court [ ]Guru Duara Nanak Shabaz [ ] Banga Bazar Building Shahi Educational/ cultural [ ]Bashundhara [ ]East Bengal Brahmi [ ] Churihatta Mosque [ ] Dhaka University Garden City temple [ ] The Dargah of Mirpur [ ] Novo Theatre [ ] Aarong [ ]Chak Bazar [ ] JoyKali Temple [ ]Bangla Academy [ ]Gulshan 1 DCC [ ]Armani Tola [ ] Khan Muhammad [ ] National Museum Market [ ]National Parliament Mridha [ ] Public Library [ ]Gulshan 2 Antique House Mosque [ ] Liberation War Market [ ] Three Leaders [ ] Baitul Mukarram Museum Mausoleum Mosque [ ] Shilpokola Academy [ ] Bara Katra [ ] Shahi EidGah [ ] Najrul academy [ ]Chota Katra [ ]Ruplal House

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Appendix III : List of Tour Operators

Serial NAME ADDRESS PRODUCT/ services no. 1 A.B TOURS 18, Rajuk Avenue, 3rd Package tour, Hotel Reservation, floor, Lal bhaban, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Motijheel, Dhaka-1000 Cruise & Guide Service. 2 Abakash Parjatan Ltd. Al-Hajj Shamsuddin Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Mansion ( 9th Floor) 17 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River (280 old) New Eskaton Cruise & Guide Service. Road, Moghbazar, Dhaka- 1000 3 Adventure Escape Asia 24/2 Malibagh, Dhaka- Special Interest Tours & tours 1217 related to different rural development activities, volunteer services, village tours, cultural tours, ethnic tours, river journeys, walking tours, cycling, trekking and wildlife. 4 A. Itraco (Bangladesh) House-25, 1st floor, Road- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Ltd. 4, Block-F, Banani, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 1213 Cruise & Guide Service. 5 Amazing Holidays 30/A NayaPaltan, Sattara Sales & promotion of Inbound & centre (13th Floor) Dhaka Outbound travel and tourism related product and service 6 Angel Tourism 14/A Meherba Plaza, 33 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Topakhana Road, Dhaka Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service. 7 Asian Holidays A.R tower, 24 Kemal Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Ataturk Avenue (6th Floor) Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Banani, Dhaka-1213 Cruise & Guide Service. 8 Autarky Tours House-08, road- , Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Bangladesh Sonargaon Janapath, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Uttara, Dhaka Cruise & Guide Service. 9 Authentic Tourism 1557 Agrabad Access Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Network Road, Hajipara, Singapore Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Market(5th Floor) Room- Cruise & Guide Service. 609,610, Chittagong 10 Bangladesh Ecotours 263 Jubilee Road, Tin Pool, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Chittagong-4000 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Services, Adventure & Ecotour Specialist 11 Bangladesh Resorts & Husna Centre Suite- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, hotels Ltd 208,106 Gulshan Avenue, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, & Guide Dhaka Service. 12 Bangladesh Tourism 13/A Planner Tower Suite- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, International 14, 13th Floor, Sonargaon Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Road,Dhaka-1000 Cruise & Guide Service. 13 BD Travel Homes Ltd House-13, road-06, Sector- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, 01,Uttara Model Town, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Dhaka-1230 Cruise & Guide Service. 14 Bangladesh Travel Homes House-20, Road- 12, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Ltd Sector-1(ground Floor) Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Uttara, Dhaka-1230 Cruise MICE Management & Guide Service. 15 Bangladesh Travel Star net, Plot-97/A(2nd Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Planners Ltd Floor) Road-7, Sector-4, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Uttar C/A, Dhaka-1230 Cruise & Guide Service. 16 Bhraman Bangla Hotel Farooq(3rd Floor), Package tour, Hotel Reservation, 149

Serial NAME ADDRESS PRODUCT/ services no. 174, Nawabpur Road, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Dhaka Cruise & Guide Service. 17 Binodon Transport & 4 Baitul Aman Masjid Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Tourism Market, Arambagh Police Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Box, Dhaka-1000 Cruise Bus Service & Guide Service. 18 Blue Marine Holidays 18, Rajuk Avenue, Lal Package tour, Hotel Reservation, bhaban, Dhaka-1000 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service. 19 Bright Travels House-45, Road-27, Block- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, A, Banani, Dhaka-1213 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise Air Ticketing & Guide Service. 20 City Holidays Apt-12e # Subastu Nazar Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Valley Tower-6, Progoti Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Soroni, Gulshan, Dhaka- Cruise & Guide Service. 1212 21 Classic Tours & Travels 10 Taher Tower, 2nd Floor, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Suite-313, Gulshan Circle- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, Cycling 2, Dhaka Tours River Cruise & Guide Service. 22 Coral Reef Tours & House-4, Road-13/B, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Travels Sector-6, Uttara, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 1230 Cruise & Guide Service. 23 Creative Tours & Travels Office 1: 1046 Shewra Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Para,(1st Floor) Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Office 2: 89(Basement), Cruise & Guide Service. Aziz Super Market, Shahbag, Dhaka. 24 Crystal Tours & travels House-47, Flat-A1, Road-7, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Block-G, Banani, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 1213 Cruise & Guide Service. 25 C.T.B Limited 11-Eg Meherba Plaza(11th Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Floor),33 Topakhana Road, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Dhaka-1000 Cruise & Guide Service. 26 Delta outdoors House-71, Road- 13, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Sector-11, Uttara, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, 1230 Adventure, Visa Assistance, Tourism Publication, River Cruise & Guide Service. 27 Discovery Tours & House-59(4th Floor) , Road- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, logistics 4, Block-C, Banani, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 1213 Cruise, air Ticketing & Guide Service. 28 Discovery Tourism House-71(1st Floor) , Road- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, 7, Block-H, Banani, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Dhaka-1213 Cruise & Guide Service. 29 Discovery Bangladesh Farmview Super Market(3rd Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Tourism Floor), Farmgate, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 1215 Cruise & Guide Service. 30 Dream Travel & tour Lokman Tower, 1646 Sk Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Mujib Road(6th Floor), Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Agrabad, Chittagong Cruise & Guide Service. 31 Easy travel & Tour 262/2 New Elephant Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Road(2nd Floor), Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205 Cruise & Guide Service. 32 Entourage Priyo Prangan Tower, 12- Outbound, Inbound and Domestic

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Serial NAME ADDRESS PRODUCT/ services no. 24, House-19, Road-17, Tour Operation. Banani, Dhaka-1213 33 Evergreen Tourism Room No:508, 4th Floor, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Network Ebrahim Mansion 11 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Purana Paltan, Dhaka- Cruise, air Ticketing & Guide 1000 Service 34 Excursion & Resorts House-108, Flat-A2&B2, Package tour, Rent-A-Car & Bangladesh Ltd Road-8, Block-C, Banani, River Cruise Dhaka-1213 35 Explore Cruise House-22, Road-19/A, Package tour, Rent-A-Car & Bangladesh Banani, Dhaka-1213 River Cruise 36 Four Wheels G.P Chha-72, TB Gate, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service. 37 Galaxy Holidays Limited Taj Cassilina(2nd Floor) 25 Leading tour operator both Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka- outbound & inbound, hotel 1212 reservation worldwide package tours MICE jungle safari park, and services unlimited 38 Galaxy Travel Taj Cassilina(2nd Floor) 25 Airticket, Corporate Travel & International Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka- Business Travel 1212 39 Golden Holidays House-29, Road-20, Block- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, K, Banani, Dhaka-1213 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 40 Green Bangla Tours Room-S18(2nd Floor) Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Muktijoddha Shopping Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Complex(opp: Haji Camp), Cruise & Guide Service Ashkonal, Airport, Dhaka- 1229 41 Green Channel House-31, Road-1/a, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Block-1, Banani, Dhaka- Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 1213 Cruise & Guide Service 42 Green Holidays Tours House-69/3, Road-7/a, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Dhanmondi, Dhaka Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 43 Green Tourism 113 Kazi Nazrul Islam Inbound Tourism Avenue, Dhaka-1000 44 Gungchil Tourism Zakaria Bhaban(4th Floor) Package tour, Hotel Reservation, 33/2 Shahid Nazrul Islam Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Road, Hathkhola, Dhaka- Cruise & Guide Service 1203 45 Huen Tsang Tours And 108/B, Siddheswari Inner Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Travels Circular Road, Dhaka-1217 Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 46 Heaven Touch Tourism Hometown Apartments, 87 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, New Eskaton Road, Level - Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River 9, Suite-D, Dhaka-1000 Cruise & Guide Service

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47 Heritage Holidays F.R tower, 24 Kemal Ataturk Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Avenue (10th Floor) Banani, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Dhaka-1213 Service 48 I & A Travels Ltd. 99 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Kawran Bazar, Dhaka-1215 Car, City Tour, River Cruise Air Ticketing & Guide Service 49 Jaba Tour Limited Suite-305, Taher Tower Shopping Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Center, Gulshan Circle-2, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1212 Service 50 Jasiqa Tours & &Travels Ltd. Plot-15, Road-17, Flat-C5-6, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- BNashati Condominium, Banani, Car, City Tour, Medical Tourism, River Dhaka-1213 Cruise & Guide Service 51 Journey Plus Suite-40A, Aziz Super Market, Group Travel Organizer, Adventure & Shahbag, 1st Floor, Dhaka. Eco Tourism Specialists, Customized Holidays, Accommodation Reservation, City Sightseeing, River Cruise, Rent-A- Car, Guide, MICE Management & Interpreter 52 K Line Air 5/F Chowdhury Center(5th Floor), Travel Agent and tour operator, PSA Star 23ka New eskaton Road, Dhaka- Cruise- The Leading Cruise Line 1000 53 Keari Tours & Services Limited 133, Satmasjid Road, 27 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 54 Lighthouse Group Tour Division BSRS Bhaban(6th Floor) 12 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Kawran Bazar, Dhaka-1215 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 55 Lakeshore Tourism Bangladesh Hotel Chand(residential) 3rd Floor, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- 31/E Topakhana road, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1000 Service 56 Lexus Tours & Travels Sonartori Tower(9th Floor), 12 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Bipanon C/A Car, City Tour, Air Ticketing, River Cruise & Guide Service 57 Maas Travels & Tours 101 Gulshan Avenue, RM Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Centre(5th Floor) Gulshan, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1212 Service 58 Mangrove Tourism 95 New Eskaton Road, Helena Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Center, 3rd floor, Room-16, Bangla Car, City Tour, Event Management, River Motor Cruise & Guide Service 59 Maple Tours & Travels House No-(53,55), Road No-3, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- block-Niketon Society(Gulshan Car, City Tour, Air Ticketing, River 1), Dhaka-1212 Cruise & Guide Service 60 Mermaid Travel Solution Mermaid Beach, Hotel Motel Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Zone, Cox’s bazar Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 61 Miraculous Journey Road-3, House-20, Block-C, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banosree, Rampura, Dhaka-1219 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 62 Mira Tours & Travels 173, Santanu Sarani, Reserve tank Picnic Package, Hotel Booking, Weekend road (behind Brac office) Tour. 63 Mountain Club Tours 91 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue(4th Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Floor), Kawran Bazar, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1215 Service. 64 My Tourism Ltd. 15 Purana Paltan(2nd Floor) Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Chowdhury Complex, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1000 Service 65 Naseeh Enterprise & Tourism Shatabdi Center(17th Floor), Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- International Suite-17K 292 Inner Circular Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Road, Fakirapul, Dhaka-1000 Service 67 New Discovery Tours & Logistic House-13, Road- 08, Sector-1, Inbound & Outbound Tour operator, Uttara, Dhaka-1230 worldwide hotel reservation & ticketing 68 Nitol Tours & Travels R.C Concord Tower( Ground Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- floor) 17 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1212 Service 69 Nora Travels Ltd Road-1/A, House-43, Block- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- J,Baridhara Diplomatic Area, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Dhaka-1212 , Dhaka-1219 Service 70 Nova Tours & Travels 95 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue(1st Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Floor), Kawran Bazar, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide 1215 Service

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71 Novo Air Ltd. House-50, Road-11, Block-F, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 72 Novo Aviation Service Ltd. 270 Novo Tower(13th Floor) Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Tejgaon Ind. Area, Dhaka-1208 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 73 Oasis air Service 30/A, Naya paltan, Sattara Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Center(9th Floor) VIP Road, Hotel Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Victory, Dhaka-1000 Service 74 One Travel Planner Ltd 22, Gulshan North(8th Floor), Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Circle -2, Dhaka-1212 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 75 Ornate Holidays 30, Bijoynagar, Dhaka-1000 Accommodation, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 76 Petro Aviation Building-69/2, Level-3, Road-7/A, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 77 Reef Travels And Tours Meherba Plaza, suite-8/A(9th Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Floor), 33 Topakhana Road, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Dhaka-1000 Service 78 Riverain Tours House-86, Road-08, Block-D, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Banani, Dhaka-1213 Adventure Tour, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 79 Rokon Tourism (Pvt.) Ltd 218, Elephant Road, Sahera Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Tropical Center(4th Floor), Dhaka Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 80 Rupantor Eco Tourism 7, Haji Mohsin Road(1st Floor), Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Khulna-9100 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 81 Safari Plus House-28, Road-17/A, Block-E, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 82 Saimon Overseas Ltd. House-4A, raod-22, Gulshan, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Dhaka-1212 Car, City Tour, Air Ticketing, River Cruise & Guide Service 83 Sarina Travel Logistics Event Sarina Building, Plot-27, Road-17, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Solutions banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 84 Sea Hill Tours & Travels Hotel Sea Palace, Kolatoli, Cox’s Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Bazar Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 85 Shabaz Tourism Ltd. House-1, Lane-1, Block-A, West Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Bhatara, Baridhara, Natun Bazar, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Badda, Dhaka-1212 Service 86 Silver Wave Tours Ltd. House-05(3rd Floor), Road-17, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Block-E, Banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, Sport Tour, Adventure Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 87 Sky Holidays Park Plaza, Flat-N6, Road-17, 31 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 88 Speed Holidays House-57(4th Floor), Road-13, Inbound & Outbound Packages, City Block-E, Banani, Dhaka-1213 Tours, Annual/ Family picnic, Honeymoon Packages, jungle Safari, Worldwide Hotel Reservations & Transfers, Transport Cruise, Tailor- Made Packages, Beach Holidays, Tea Tour, Cruise, Special Interest tours, Conference/Corporate Tours. 89 SSBCL Travel & Tourism 10 Dilkusha C/A, Jibon Bima Ticketing, Package Tour, Hotel Booking tower(7th Floor), Dhaka-1000 & Travel insurance. 90 Straight Way tours & Travels Delta Dahlia(10th Floor), 36 Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide C/A, Dhaka-1213 Service 91 Subornorekha 620 Shaheenbagh, Lane-6, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 92 Sundarban Tourist Complex 59 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue(1st Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Floor)West Tezturi Bazar, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Farmgate, Dhaka-1215 Service 93 Sunfine Travels International 113, Kazi nazrul Islam Avenue, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Concord Tower(G.F), bangla Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Motor Service 153

94 Sunity Overseas House-13/A, Road-18, Block-A, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 95 Sylhet Tourism Guide Sonargaon Center(2nd Floor), Regular package tour for Sylhet and Tamabil Road, Shibganj, Sylhet mazar ziarat, City sightseeing tour, River cruising, Tae garden package tour, Shillong and Gohati tou every monday 96 Taj Travels & Tours 5/6 Kaiz plaza(ground Floor), Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Zindabazar, Sylhet-3100 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 97 Talukder Travel-tours & Resorts 57/12 East Raza Bazar(West Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Ltd. Panthapath) Sonargaon Plaza(3rd Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Floor), Dhaka Service 98 Target international Tours & Kakoli- Shopping Center(6th Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- travel Floor), Zidabazar, Sylhet Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 99 Tepantor Porivraman Bashundhara city Shopping Mall, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Level-5, Suite-94, Block-C, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide dhaka-1215 Service 100 The Bengal Tours Ltd House-45, Road-27, Block-A, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banani, Dhaka-1213 Car, City Tour, Air Ticketing, Logistic support, River Cruise & Guide Service 101 The Guide Logistics 822 Kihlgaon, Block-A, Dhaka- Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- 1219 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 102 The Guide Tours Rob Bhaban(6th Floor), Plot-22, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Gulshan(north)C/A, Gulshan Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Circle-2, Dhaka-1212 Service 103 The Tiger Trail House-7, Road-19/A, sector-4, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Uttara, Dhaka-1230 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 104 Tiger tours limited Room-605, Rob Super Market(5th Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 105 Time Travel & Tour 121, motijheel C/A, jiban Bima Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Bhaban(Ground Floor), Dhaka- Car, City Tour, Air Ticketing, River 1000 Cruise & Guide Service 106 Tourist Club Treasure Island, 42-43, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Siddheswari, 3rd Floor, Circular Car, City Tour, Tourism Publication River road, Dhaka-1217 Cruise & Guide Service 107 Tour Planners Ltd. 32, Alaol Avenue, Sector-6, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Uttara, Dhaka-1230 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 108 Unique Tours & Travels 51/B, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Air Banani, Dhaka-1213 Ticketing, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 109 Walton International Ltd. 1 shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Air Ticketing, Package tour, Hotel saran(1st Floor), Moghbazar, Reservation, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, Dhaka-1217 River Cruise & Guide Service 110 Worldview 600, Sk Mujib road, Wali Hajj & Umrah Package, Package tour, Mansion(1st Floor), Chowmohani, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A-Car, City Chittagong Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 111 Word Air Package Tour House-20, Road-3, Block-C, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Banasree, Rampura, Dhaka-1219 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 112 Zastat Ltd.(Zakariya City) Khadim Nagar, Sylhet-3103 Accomodation, Package tour, Hotel/Resort Reservation, Rent-A-Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service 113 Bestway resort & Tourism Ltd. Priyo Prangan Tower, 19 Kemal Resort(proposed), Bordail, Cox’s Bazar Ataturk Avenue(5th-9th Floor), Banani C/A, Dhaka-1213 114 Chez Razzak Service House-169, Road-4, Padma Accommodation, F & B Services, Housing Estate, Rajshahi Transfers, Rent-A-Car & Guide/Interpreter Service 115 Dreamland Amusement @ Water Hilalpur, Gopalgonj, Sylhet-3100 Amusement Park Park 116 Hotel Holy Side Dargah Road(south), Sylhet Accommodation, F & B Services, Transfers, Rent-A-Car & Guide/Interpreter Service 117 Nazimgarh resorts Limited Nazimgarh, Khadim Nagar, Accommodation, F & B Services, Sylhet-3103 Transfers, Rent-A-Car & Guide/Interpreter Service

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118 Prabartana Ltd 2/8, Sir Syed Road, Gift Items & Handloom Fabrics Mohammedpur, Dhaka-1207

119 Royal resort BSRS Bhaban(6th Floor), Kawran Accommodation, F & B Services, Bazar, Dhaka-1215 Transfers, Rent-A-Car & Guide/Interpreter Service 120 SEL Nibash SEL Green Center, 30 Greenroad, Accommodation(Hotel & Service (Hotel & Service Apartment) Dhanmondi, Dhaka Apartment)

121 Shemana Pereye Resort Limited House-337(Gr Floor), Road-23, Accommodation, F & B Services, New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka- Transfers, Rent-A-Car & 1206 Guide/Interpreter Service. Cares and shares nature with you

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Appendix IV: List of 10 Selected Tour Operators

Serial NAME ADDRESS PRODUCT/ services no. 1 Autarky Tours House-08, road- , Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Bangladesh Sonargaon Janapath, Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Uttara, Dhaka Service. 2 BD Travel Homes House-13, road-06, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Ltd Sector-01,Uttara Model Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Town, Dhaka-1230 Service. 3 Bangladesh House-20, Road- 12, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Travel Homes Ltd Sector-1(ground Floor) Car, City Tour, River Cruise MICE Uttara, Dhaka-1230 Management & Guide Service. 4 Classic Tours & 10 Taher Tower, 2nd Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Travels Floor, Suite-313, Gulshan Car, City Tour, Cycling Tours River Circle-2, Dhaka Cruise & Guide Service. 5 Delta outdoors House-71, Road- 13, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Sector-11, Uttara, Dhaka- Car, City Tour, Adventure, Visa 1230 Assistance, Tourism Publication, River Cruise & Guide Service. 6 Evergreen Room No:508, 4th Floor, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Tourism Network Ebrahim Mansion 11 Car, City Tour, River Cruise, air Purana Paltan, Dhaka- Ticketing & Guide Service 1000 7 Excursion & House-108, Flat-A2&B2, Package tour, Rent-A-Car & River Cruise Resorts Road-8, Block-C, Banani, Bangladesh Ltd Dhaka-1213 8 Explore Cruise House-22, Road-19/A, Package tour, Rent-A-Car & River Cruise Bangladesh Banani, Dhaka-1213 9 Four Wheels G.P Chha-72, TB Gate, Package tour, Hotel Reservation, Rent-A- Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 Car, City Tour, River Cruise & Guide Service. 10 Galaxy Holidays Taj Cassilina(2nd Floor) Leading tour operator both outbound & Limited 25 Gulshan Avenue, inbound, hotel reservation worldwide Dhaka-1212 package tours MICE jungle safari park, and services unlimited

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