Bangladesh unrest: Ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh has led to a dramatic 90 per cent drop in outbound travel, according to officials from the Travel Operators Association of Bangladesh, according to a report by Economic Times. The unrest intensified two weeks ago following the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down amid escalating student protests. The political turbulence temporarily disrupted flights and led to a suspension of all visa issuance except for medical emergencies.
Although flights to and from Bangladesh have resumed, the number of passengers remains significantly lower than usual. A budget airline representative operating flights to Dhaka revealed that the load factor on these flights has decreased by over 50 per cent, as per the report.
India's Travel Market Affected
Md Taslim Amin Shovon, director of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, highlighted that India is a primary destination for Bangladeshi travelers, especially for medical reasons. He noted that over 80 per cent of Bangladeshis traveling to India seek medical treatment, while shopping and leisure account for 15 per cent and 5 per cent of travel, respectively.
Popular destinations like Kolkata, Sikkim, and Kashmir have been severely impacted by the ongoing crisis, especially as Kolkata is a major shopping hub for pre-festival purchases.
Tourism data shows that while tourist arrivals in India increased by 43.5 per cent in 2023, the numbers remain 15.5 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. Bangladesh remains a key market, accounting for more than 22.5 per cent of all foreign visitors to India. However, the recent unrest has led to a near standstill in travel between the two nations.
Tourism Operators Hit Hard
Debjit Dutta, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) West Bengal Chapter, echoed the concerns of many in the travel industry, stating that business has plummeted due to visa restrictions.
"The government has stopped issuing visas except for genuine medical reasons, which has led to a 90 per cent drop in business for travel operators, hotels, and guest houses near hospitals in West Bengal," Dutta said.
Medical Tourism
The medical tourism sector has been particularly impacted. In 2023, the number of Bangladeshi patients traveling to India for treatment had surged by 48 per cent, with over 449,000 patients compared to 304,000 the previous year. However, companies like Indiatreatments.com, which previously managed around 150 Bangladeshi patients each month, have reported a steep decline in business. Founder and CEO Samit Bez revealed that the number of patients has dropped to just five or six per month, as many appointments have been canceled due to the political unrest.
As the situation in Bangladesh remains uncertain, travel and tourism operators in both countries are left grappling with the long-term impact of the crisis.