PATA new Tourism Frontiers Forum to begin on Nov 23

The event is being hosted by the Bangladesh Tourism Board under the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. A total 200 foreigners from different countries will visit Bangladesh to attend the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2016. In addition, around 100 local participants will also take part in the conference. An advanced team comprising three members of PATA officials already inspected the venue and security system of Bangladesh government. The team expressed its satisfaction over the security arrangement. Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa located on Inani beach in Cox’s Bazar has been selected as the venue to hold the PATA conference. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to and from within the Asia Pacific region. Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Nikhil Ranjan Roy said: “To arrange the three-day-long tourism conference, all kinds of security arrangements have been undertaken by the local administration and the government high-ups.” According to the Tourism Board sources, advanced team of PATA officials held exclusive meeting with deputy commissioner and superintend of police of Cox’s Bazar and intelligence officials of various organisations. “The Tourism Ministry and Tourism Board are ready to provide all kinds of support to make it a successful event in Cox’s Bazar. The programme will bring a positive image and also work as a trust building platform to attract more foreign tourists to Bangladesh,” said Nikhil. The tourism industry received a blow after the Gulshan terrorist attack on July 1 at Holey Artisan Bakery where 22 people, mostly foreigners, were brutally killed by the extremists. Industry insiders said: “Following Gulshan terrorist attack, a few international events had already been canceled which portray a negative image of the industry, but the upcoming event will definitely give a positive message to the foreigners that Bangladesh is now a safe tourist destination.”