Launch of the Alliance

Published: 30 May 2022

In 2021, USAID launched the Bangladesh Ecotourism and Conservation Alliance (BECA), simply known as the Alliance, to unite local and international stakeholders – across both the public and private sectors – with a shared vision of creating an inclusive tourism value chain in Bangladesh while simultaneously maximizing conservation benefits in the Sundarbans Reserve Forest and surrounding areas. By harnessing the respective expertise of each member of the Alliance, we aim to achieve our four strategic objectives: 

  • Enhance competitiveness and collaborative capacity of tourism destinations in target areas 
  • Improve tourism governance and natural resource management for targeted Key Biodiverse Areas 
  • Increase community environmental, economic, and basic human services as a result of a better managed and more inclusive tourism sector 
  • Increase tourism-related investments and market linkages in targeted areas 

BECA was conceptualized under the USAID’s Health, Ecosystems, and Agriculture for Resilient Thriving Societies (HEARTH) program. HEARTH is designed to engage private sector partners to help create sustainable development activities conserving high-biodiversity landscapes, such as the Sundarbans, while concurrently improving the prosperity of communities dependent upon these landscapes. After working with project stakeholders in Bangaldesh through co-creation workshops, USAID identified the various challenges and opportunities present in the Sundarbans region in order to maximize the impact of the BECA program. 

Founding Partners 

The collective efforts of the following founding partners of the Alliance have created a strong foundation for the program to grow upon:

 Solimar International is a sustainable tourism consulting and marketing firm spearheading the implementation of BECA by providing strategic planning, workforce development, destination management, and destination marketing services. Solimar is focused on ensuring that tourism is shaped to directly support communities in and around the Sundarbans by including the voice and vision of the local people. 

Conservation Capital works on attracting investment capital for private sector businesses in order to create a revenue stream for local communities. They also assist the program in identifying stakeholders interested in developing a partnership with communities in Bangladesh with a vested interest in tourism development. 

Miles Partnership is a tourism marketing strategy and implementation partner dedicated to digitizing products and services across the Sundarbans tourism industry. Through digital marketing, Miles Partnership is expanding visibility to information needed by all travelers and locals in order to generate demand and accessibility to the region. 

Journey Plus DMO is a Destination Management company working in Bangladesh since 1994. It is currently a present member of PATA, JATA and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, as well as a founding member of the Bangladesh Ecotourism and Conservation Alliance.

Growth of the Alliance 

The Alliance aims to deliver impactful results, but these results cannot be achieved alone. Collaboration is the basis of this program. We are actively building alliances with diverse organizations established in a variety of sectors, such as academia, government, NGOs, and community-based fields. 

Since its inception, the Alliance has welcomed several new partners including: 

  • Khulna University 
  • Planettera
  • WildTeam
  • Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS)
  • Center for Communication Action Bangladesh (C-CAB)
  • Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB)
  • Tour Operators Association of Sundarbans (TOAS)

The Alliance is open to any businesses or organizations, inside or outside of Bangladesh and across any sector, that is committed to supporting our mission. Upon joining, members of the Alliance gain access to a wide network of fellow stakeholders and resources. We also maintain communication with all members to keep them informed on various programs and opportunities they can take advantage of. Their respective businesses/organizations are also promoted across our website and other platforms. 

 If you are interested in joining the Alliance, reach out to us using the form below.