The tourism industry in Cox's Bazar should be diversified further with the participation of local communities to create more employment opportunities in the district, according to speakers at a workshop today.

Ruchika Bahl, head of International Labour Organization's (ILO) sub-office in Cox's Bazar, said they were working to foster sustainable development in the district through strong partnerships among relevant government bodies, employers and trade organisations.

"Our primary focus is to create employment opportunities for local women and youths," she added.

The event, styled "Cox's Bazar Tourism Sector Activity Orientation and Stakeholder Validation Workshop", was jointly organised by the ILO and state-run Department of Youth Development.

The workshop was held at a hotel in Cox's Bazar under the ISEC Tourism Sector Support Implementation Partnership Project being funded by Global Affairs Canada.

The speakers emphasised on improving safety and security for tourists and hygiene and waste management systems in Cox's Bazar to harness business opportunities in the district.

And other than offering more diverse tourism packages, extensive focus must be given towards women's empowerment, they said.

Mohammad Salahuddin, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, said the local economy relies on the tourism, fishing, and salt industries.

He added that initiatives for improving transportation, waste recycling, and enhancing food safety would contribute to a modernised tourism framework.

Abu Murshed Chowdhury, president of the Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged for adopting a more environmentally friendly and community centric model for tourism in Cox's Bazar to ensure the industry's long-term success.

He highlighted the need to focus on opportunities in ecotourism, sports tourism and coastal tourism.