Sustainable Tourism in Kuakata, Bangladesh: Challenges, Practices, and the Role of Hotel and Resort Operators

Bangladesh's economy depends heavily on tourism, with coastal regions attracting tourists for their natural beauty and cultural significance. Sustainable tourism in Kuakata faces both opportunities and challenges due to the rapid growth of hotels and resorts. This study shows the impact of hotel and resort operators' decisions and practices on tourism sustainability, and how they utilise principles from behavioural economics. Ethnographic fieldwork, interviews and participant observation with local hotel and resort stakeholders form the foundation of the study. It shows that labour management dynamics, tourist engagement, business strategies and interactions with local and Rakhine communities. This study also shows that Seasonal variations in visitor numbers, infrastructure constraints, and environmental issues are among the difficulties faced by hoteliers. The results show a mixed picture. While many business owners use sophisticated techniques such as digital marketing, cultural adaptation, and incorporating customer feedback and environmentally conscious practices that support local jobs, others operate outside the law, including unlicensed hotels, inappropriate accommodations, and problems with drug use and prostitution. The study emphasises the need for improved governance, clear regulations, and collaboration between local communities, lawmakers, and business owners. This shows that sustaining tourism in Kuakata requires not only innovation and financial commitment but also compliance with legal regulations and respect for the local population's well-being.