Citing a lack of proper infrastructure as a barrier to the expansion of the tourism sector, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said yesterday that the government will prioritise the infrastructural development of the sector to establish it as an industry.
“Infrastructural development and attractive tourist destinations are the pre-requisites for expansion of tourism and this is why the government will concentrate on the sector and will consider an allocation for it in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2014-15,” said Tofail.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day fair titled “EBL-BTTF-2014 International Tourism Fair,” as the chief guest. Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) organised the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre with a view to promoting the country’s tourism.
“In the last fiscal, Bangladesh earned Tk830 crore from the tourism sector, which is 2.1% of the total GDP, and it will reach 7.7% this year if we can ensure all kinds of facilities for tourists,” Tofail added.
The minister however, urged people working in the sector to go for increased publicity and promotion in order to attract more tourists.
“We have entrepreneurs who have invested in tourism but are unable to make profits because of a lack of infrastructure and other utility services. This is discouraging for new entrepreneurs and they will not be interested in investing in the sector,” said TOAB President Toufiq Uddin Ahmed.
He also demanded duty-free import of vehicles for tourists who generally do not intend to travel via traditional modes of transport.
The fair will remain open from 10am to 8pm for visitors.
Around 100 exhibitors from six countries – Malaysia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh – are participating in the event to come up with new ideas to develop their respective tourism industry.
