Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal has said the government has been working on a mega plan to turn Bangladesh into an attractive tourist destination—relying on the country’s natural beauty.
He also said the government’s initiative would boost the numbers of both domestic and international tourists, reports UNB.
The tourism minister made the statement at a rally at the TSC intersection of the Dhaka University— marking World Tourism Day 2018 on Thursday.
The colourful rally started from the Matsya Bhaban intersection at 8:30am, and ended at the TSC intersection.
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 to outline the significance of the day.
Members of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) –a platform of journalists covering aviation and tourism affairs – Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation took part in 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.
Dhanmondi’s Rabindra Sarobar has been decorated for a three-day tourism festival called “Biman Tourism Fest 2018,” which begins Thursday afternoon. The festival’s theme is, "Tourism and the Digital Transformation—"organized by ATJFB and BTB.
Shahjahan Kamal will inaugurate the festival as guest of honour at 3pm, and Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon will attend the closing session on Saturday.
A discussion of the national tourism master plan, centering on the Sundarbans, will be held on Friday.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mohibul Haque will attend the discussion as the guest of honour, in the presence of experts and stakeholders of the tourism industry.
The festival is sponsored by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, in association with US-Bangla Airlines.
NOVOAIR, Rangdhanu Group, Regent Airways, and The Way Dhaka are co-sponsors—with Well Food and DBC as 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.
