New tourism policy to prioritise PPP, private investment: Minister
The government is also planning to develop Cox's Bazar as a regional tourism hub.
Highlights:
- Govt aims to raise the tourism sector's GDP contribution to 8–9%
- Upcoming Tourism Master Plan includes 1,498 destinations across the country
- Cox's Bazar is planned to be developed as a regional tourism hub
- The 13th Asian Tourism Fair will continue until 19 Sept at ICCB
The government's upcoming new tourism policy will place special emphasis on private investment and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to develop the country's tourism sector, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said today (17 September).
"Bangladesh is a country with diverse tourism potential. Over the past two decades, there has been a lack of desired and visible development initiatives in the tourism sector. We have started our journey from that reality," the minister made the remarks while inaugurating the three-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka.
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"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government has given special importance to tourism as part of its broader programmes for economic diversification, employment generation, and balanced regional development," he said.
He noted that the government is working on a Tourism Master Plan that encompasses 1,498 tourist attractions and destinations of various categories.
"Through this plan, we are taking initiatives to develop the country's tourism resources in phases under an integrated framework," Millat added.
According to him, the government is also planning to develop Cox's Bazar as a regional tourism hub. The area has significant potential for expanding
international-standard tourism infrastructure, services, entertainment, and investment opportunities around the world's longest sandy sea beach.
The government aims to raise the tourism sector's contribution to 8–9% of the country's gross domestic product.
Achieving this target will require planned investment, skilled human resources, modern infrastructure, improved services, effective marketing, and international-standard tourism management.
"No country's tourism industry can develop sustainably without a joint commitment from the public and private sectors. So, let us work together to strengthen Bangladesh's tourism sector in the global market," the minister said.
The fair is open to visitors daily from 10am to 7pm, bringing together tourism businesses and organisations from Bangladesh and abroad. Hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, public and private tourism organisations, foreign embassies, and other institutions are showcasing their products and services.
Special attractions include the 'Destination Bangladesh Showcase', 'International Tourism Showcase', and 'Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase'. Cultural performances by Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines will also be held every evening.
Organised by the tourism magazine Parjatan Bichitra, the fair will continue until 19 September. It is endorsed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and supported by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and the Bangladesh Tourism Board.
This year's fair brings together more than 200 organisations from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Malaysia, China, and Pakistan. Around 300 booths have been set up across three halls.
Among those attending the inaugural ceremony were Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director Kaiser Sohel Ahmed, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Samimuzzaman, Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Farooqui, Asian Tourism Fair Chairman Mohiuddin Helal, and the ambassadors of Nepal, the Philippines, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
