A three- day tourism festival began in the capital yesterday, marking World Tourism Day2018.
The festival, organized by Aviation and Tourism Journalist’s Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), and powered by US-Bangla Airlines, will continue until September 29 at Rabindra Sarabor in Dhamondi.
Sponsored by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the festival’s theme is “Tourism and the Digital Transformation.” A variety of stalls have been set up at the venue to attract tourists.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal inaugurated the function while many dignitaries from the government and private sectors spoke.
A discussion on the national tourism master plan will be held today at the festival venue. Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon is expected to attend the closing session tomorrow.
The speakers urged the government to take steps to increase investment in the tourism sector, and to establish a tourism zone in the country to attract national and international tourists, and holidaymakers.
They said if tourism is developed, the country’s economy will grow further. So infrastructure must be developed immediately and required entertainment facilities should be ensured at all tourist spots. Digital campaigns should also be undertaken to attract tourists, the speakers added.
Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President Towfiq Uddin Ahmed said, to attract Muslim tourists, boosting Halal tourism in the country is of immense importance. To advance the tourism industry, he urged the government to relax visa procedures for Indian tourists.
AKM Shahjahan Kamal said the government has undertaken mega projects to develop the tourism sector. The government also recognizes the sector as an industry, he added.
“It is very necessary to develop the tourism sector. The government wants to give more facilities to interested investors in the thriving sector,”he added.
Urging the private sector to come forward and begin work in the sector, he said Bangladesh ranked 60th out of 184 countries as a tourist destination. Bangladesh will graduate to the 18th rank by 2026, he hoped.
NOVOAIR, Rangdhanu Group, Regent Airways, and The Way Dhaka, are co-sponsors of the event, while Well Food and DBC are food and media partners respectively.
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) are strategic partners of the festival.
Another program on tourism day at DU
Yesterday the tourism minister on concluded a rally at the TSC intersection of Dhaka University (DU)— marking World Tourism Day 2018 .The colorful rally started at 8:30am from the Matsya Bhaban intersection.
AKM Shahjahan Kamal said the government has been working on different plans to turn Bangladesh into an attractive tourist destination as its endless natural beauty attracts tourists.
He also said the government’s initiative would boost the number of both domestic and international tourists.
DU Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary M Mohibul Haque, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Akhtaruzzaman Khan Kabir, and DU tourism and hospitality management department chairman Dr Md Bodruzzaman Bhuiyan, among others, spoke at the rally.
Members of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh(ATJFB) -a platform of journalists covering aviation and tourism affairs- Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation took part at the rally alongside other stakeholders.
Various government and non-government organisations have planned programs to celebrate the day, and President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages to mark the day.