Friendly initiatives taken by Tourist Police have increased the number of tourists in Bangladesh significantly after a setback due to the Holey Artisan attack, said Sohrab Hossain, chief of Tourist Police, yesterday.

In six months after the attack on the bakery in Dhaka on July 1, 2016, the number of domestic tourists at more than hundreds of spots was around 90,000 only, according to the official database. However, the number increased to 3.5 crore in 2017, it showed.

On the other hand, the number of foreign tourists increased from 16,000 to 1.06 lakh in six months  from July 1 the same year, said Sohrab, also deputy inspector general (DIG) of Tourist Police.

He was talking to reporters at a views-exchange meeting at its headquarters in the capital's Banasree. This was made possible for various people friendly steps to facilitate safe and hassle-free travelling to and from all the tourist spots in the country, the DIG said. 

If tourists do not get due hotel benefits from travel agencies and the hotel managements, they can complain to Tourist Police who takes necessary steps.

The DIG said Tourist Police also take the responsibility if tourists face any trouble like theft or hijacking in any tourist zone.

If a valuable is stolen, one has to inform them and then they will contact the police stations concerned to file a general diary on behalf of the tourist, the DIG added.

Besides, different mobile apps, help-line and information centres are being developed for providing multifaceted services to tourists.