In a move aimed at streamlining foreign exchange travel transactions and expanding formal banking channels, Bangladesh Bank has authorized member tour operators of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (Toab) to sell overseas holiday packages directly in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT).
Under a circular issued by the central bank on Sunday (August 9, 2026), authorized operators can collect package payments locally in Taka from resident citizens and remit the equivalent foreign currency directly to overseas hotels, transport providers, and destination management companies (DMCs) through Authorized Dealer (AD) banks.
Toab-registered tour operators with formal foreign tie-ups can collect outbound tour package payments in Taka directly from Bangladeshi residents.
Approved operators can remit up to $3,000 USD per traveler per calendar year outside the regular individual annual travel quota to cover actual land package expenses (accommodation, transport, sightseeing).
Outbound tour packages exceeding $3,000 must be collected in foreign currency via international credit or debit cards through bank merchant acquiring services.
Operators must maintain passport-indexed records and collect written self-declarations from travelers confirming they have not exceeded the $3,000 annual limit across multiple agents.
AD banks must verify overseas vendor invoices, bilateral contracts, travel itineraries, passenger manifests, and local Taka payment receipts before releasing foreign exchange.
AD banks must submit detailed transaction records to Bangladesh Bank within seven days of executing any foreign remittance.
Tourism industry leaders and financial analysts have welcomed the circular, noting that outbound travel bookings previously involved complex currency conversion steps or informal payment channels.
Allowing local Taka collection for international packages creates an accessible, transparent framework for outbound travelers while bringing informal foreign exchange flows into the regulated banking system.
Furthermore, requiring AD banks to cross-check foreign vendor invoices against traveler lists ensures that remittances reflect actual ground expenses, preventing the misuse of trade channels for unauthorized capital transfers.
"Allowing outbound travelers to purchase overseas packages in local currency simplifies holiday planning for consumers," noted travel trade representatives.
"Conducting these transactions through authorized banking channels brings transparency to the outbound tourism market, curbs informal currency exchanges, and gives licensed tour operators a structured framework to expand their business."
Financial compliance experts emphasize that passport-based transaction logging and mandatory 7-day reporting enable Bangladesh Bank to monitor outbound foreign exchange flows in real time without creating unnecessary friction for genuine leisure travelers.
To ensure smooth operational execution across commercial banks and travel agencies, industry stakeholders highlight four implementation priorities:
- Establishing a centralized registry to instantly check traveler passport records, preventing duplicate $3,000 quota utilization across different agencies.
- Standardizing document verification across commercial bank branches to avoid processing delays for time-sensitive travel bookings.
- Encouraging Toab members to maintain updated, verified contracts with foreign Destination Management Companies to ensure fast compliance approvals.
- Expanding bank merchant-acquiring support for travel agencies to process high-value tour packages via international credit cards seamlessly.