Tourist Facilities and Shopping in Bangladesh

Tourist Facilities: The international airport in Dhaka is well-equipped with facilities to handle passenger and cargo flights. The national carrier Bangladesh Biman and a number of major airlines of the world run regular services to and from Dhaka. Biman and a private company fly smaller aircraft to transport passengers to different airports within the country. The Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the Sonargaon Pan Pacific Hotel and Purbani Hotel run their own transfer services to and from the airport for convenience of their guests. The Parjatan Corporation also runs a similar transfer service with a fleet of comfortable cars and micro buses. The corporation operates a large number of hotels, motels, cottages, restaurants, duty-free shops and package tours in Dhaka and at different tourist spots outside.

In the Sunderbans the visitors can stay in comfortable rest houses, take boat trips along the creeks and from observation towers watch tigers, deer, monkeys, crocodiles and birds. In Dhaka and elsewhere various kinds of oriental and western food are served by the hotels, motels and restaurants. Bangladehi costumes and handicraft are attractive in design and quality and are good value for money. In 1995, foreign tourists numbering 156, 231 visited the country bringing for the national exchequer over Tk. 95 million in foreign exchange.

Climate: 

Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon-type climate, with a hot and rainy summer and a dry winter. January is the coolest month with temperatures averaging near 26 deg C (78 d F) and April the warmest with temperatures from 33 to 36 deg C (91 to 96 deg F). The climate is one of the wettest in the world. Most places receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year, and areas near the hills receive 5,080 mm ). Most rains occur during the monsoon (June-September) and little in winter (November-February).

Bangladesh is subject to devastating cyclones, originating over the Bay of Bengal, in the periods of April to May and September to November. Often accompanied by surging waves, these storms can cause great damage and loss of life. The cyclone of November 1970, in which about 500,000 lives were lost in Bangladesh, was one of the worst natural disasters of the country in the 20th century.

Bangladesh has warm temperatures throughout the year, with relatively little variation from month to month. January tends to be the coolest month and May the warmest. In Dhaka the average January temperature is about 19°C (about 66°F), and the average May temperature is about 29°C (about 84°F).

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Warmer clothes are needed in the evenings during the cool season. Waterproofs are necessary during the monsoon season.

 

Shopping in Bangladesh: 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 (mattress having cooling effect), bamboo decoration pieces, cane and conch shell products, gold and silver ornament, cotton, silk, gold, silver, jute, reed, brassware, traditional dolls and leather goods also receive deep appreciation of the lovers of arts and crafts now and over the past centuries. In addition, Bangladesh is famous for pink pearl.

Jute & Jute Products: Bangladesh is the world largest producer of natural jute and jute industry of Bangladesh produces wide range of jute products which include various jute bags and jute made handicrafts. Bangladesh Jute mills also manufacture and export Jute twine or jute yarn and jute sack packaging sack bags and jute hessian cloth bag for various packaging and industrial use.
Pink Pearl : Pink pearls are one of the best buy in Dhaka. These natural products are unparallel in luster.

Gold & Silver : A wide range of gold and silver ornaments, silver filigree work etc. are considered by many travelers to be unparalleled.

Brass & Copperware : Among the best buys here are brass and copperware trays, wall decorations, vases etc. all are hand made with fine engravings and filigree work. Products made from the hides and skins of animals and reptiles, intricate wood carvings, cane and bamboo products, conch shell, bangles, embroidered quilts, jamdani and silk fabrics can also be bought. These are available in DIT market and a number of exclusive shop in New Elephant Road, Dhaka.

Duty- free Shopping: Duty free sales and display centers run by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO) are located in Dhaka, Zia International Airport, Mohakhaii and Sylhet Airport.

These shops enjoy the reputation of being well established with a wide range of goods at unbeatable prices. Goods available include wines and spirits, perfumes, cigarettes, hi-fi stereo and audio-visual equipment, Cameras, Watches and a range of household appliances. All purchases must be paid for in foreign currency. For more information please contract us.