Air passengers surge in five years

The number of international air passengers increased about 22.10% while domestic air passengers increased about 64.73% in Bangladesh in the last five years, The Bangladesh Monitor Editor Kazi Wahidul Alam said. The editor of the travel and tourism publication made the statement while addressing a press conference held at a city hotel on Sunday. The conference was held regarding the 15th edition of Dhaka Travel Mart 2018 which is going to begin from Thursday. He said in 2013, a total of 5,231,580 international travellers travelled through airlines, and the number increased to 6,388,050 in 2017. On the other hand, in 2013, the number of domestic air travellers were 648,019 which increased to 1,067,537 in 2017, he added. "In the last five years, following entry of the three private airlines in the market, the number of domestic and international air travellers has seen a rise" Wahidul Alam said. He added: "The private airlines as well as the national flag carrier Biman played a key role in the rise." Dr Md Nasir Uddin, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, said tourism is a multidimensional sector which tourism board and aviation board alone cannot develop. He said a tourism based developmental model along with an overall promotion of the tourism sector is needed to be undertaken for its development, he added urging private sectors and other ministries to come forward. "If we can include tourism plan in our Padma bridge such as landing spots, towers, river cruise etc, a huge amount of money could be earned daily from the bridge alone" he said adding that there is still time to take such initiatives. Atique Rahman Chisty, General Manager Marketing and Sales, Biman Bangladesh Airlines was also present in the occasion. The three-day 15th international travel and tourism fair "Dhaka Travel Mart 2018," will begin at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Thursday in a bid to unlock the Bangladesh's tourism potential. Visitors will be able to visit the fair from 10am to 7:30pm every day from Thursday to Saturday paying an entry fee of Tk30. Raffle draws on the entry coupons will be held on the concluding day at the fair venue. Prizes include airline tickets to various destinations at home and abroad, exciting tour packages, star hotel accommodation and lunch/dinner coupons.