A three-day tourism fair has begun at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital yesterdaywith an aim to develop tourism linkage among the South and Southeast Asian countries.
The expo styled “Bangladesh International Tourism Fair (BITF)-2014 will remain open for the visitors at BICC from 10am to 8pm everyday, with an entry fee of Tk20 per person.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon inaugurated the expo as chief guest.
Inaugurating the fair, the minister said: “We are not being able to effectively communicate with the potential global tourists despite Bangladesh has unique natural beauties to attract them and therefore, it is high time for us to build a stronger relationship with our neighbouring countries.”
He urged the agencies to use all sorts of media including internet-based media for attracting potential regional and global tourists. “A commission is, therefore, needed to be formed for the overall development of the tourism sector in this region.”
Lack of infrastructure is hindering the true potentials in this sector, despite the country can always be proud of some of its world-renowned natural attractions, said FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, who was addressing the opening ceremony as special guest.
The fair aims at floating a platform to share knowledge and extend cooperation towards the neighbouring countries.
The fair has brought together travel agents, tour operators, hotels and resorts, card sellers, hospitals, institutions, national tourism organisations, airlines, financial institutions, online sellers and other tourism service providers for the visitors.
The fair is being organised by Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development (BFTD) and Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh in collaboration with Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operators Association and Bangladesh International Hotels Association.
