13th Asian Tourism Fair to begin in Dhaka on 17 September

The 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026, bringing together more than 200 tourism organisations from 10 countries, will begin at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka on 17 September.

The three-day fair will run until 19 September and remain open from 10am to 7pm each day.

The event will feature around 300 booths across three halls, showcasing domestic and international travel destinations, tourism products, services and investment opportunities.

Organised with the endorsement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the support and participation of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), the fair will bring together participants from Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Malaysia, China and Pakistan.

Hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, government and private tourism organisations, and foreign embassies and missions will showcase their products, services and special offers.

Speaking at a press conference at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan today (14 September), ATF Chairman and Parjatan Bichitra Editor Md Mohiuddin Helal said the fair would strengthen business ties among tourism stakeholders and create opportunities for tourism investment in Bangladesh.

"ATF 2026 will play an important role in strengthening business connections among domestic and international tourism stakeholders, promoting tourism products and creating new opportunities for tourism investment in Bangladesh," he said.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman, the chief guest at the press conference, said tourism fairs were important for developing the sector and showcasing Bangladesh's tourism potential and investment opportunities.

"Through coordinated participation of the public and private sectors, ATF will help showcase Bangladesh's tourism potential and investment opportunities both domestically and internationally," he said.

Major attractions will include the Destination Bangladesh Showcase, International Tourism Showcase and Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase. The programme will also feature business-to-business (B2B) sessions, seminars, destination presentations, panel discussions, product promotions and networking opportunities.

Cultural performances from Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines will be held every evening.

The fair will highlight regional and sustainable tourism products, including haor, Sundarbans, river, adventure, community-based and eco-tourism.

Organisers said the event would also focus on participation by women entrepreneurs and community-based tourism initiatives, while programmes will cater to children, students, tourism businesses and general visitors.

The entry fee has been set at Tk30. Visitors buying entry coupons will be eligible for a raffle draw featuring prizes and gift vouchers, including complimentary air tickets for domestic and international destinations.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the title sponsor of ATF 2026. Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport is the Platinum Partner, Chuti Group Cox's Bazar is the Co-Sponsor, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan is the Hospitality Partner, Vhaiya Hotels is the Investment Partner and Sukher Khamar is the Agro-Tourism Partner.

Other partners include Convoy Service, M360, The Travel Bound, Dhaka Dinner Cruise and NRB Vistara Limited.

Representatives of the partners and sponsors said they would offer special discounts and promotional packages to visitors ahead of the winter travel season.

The organisers have invited travel enthusiasts, tourism professionals and members of the public to attend the fair at ICCB from 17 to 19 September.