Asian Tourism Fair draws huge crowds as turnout swells

The 12th Asian Tourism Fair 2025 (ATF) drew an overwhelming crowd of visitors, with today's (19 September) turnout striking since morning and swelling further in the afternoon.

The fair began yesterday (18 September) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, offering a wide array of attractive travel packages and discounts for the upcoming tourism season.

Today marked the second day of the fair, which will wrap up tomorrow (20 September) at 4:30pm with a closing ceremony. Entry costs Tk30, but admission is free with online registration.

Civil Aviation Secretary Nasreen Jahan will attend the closing ceremony as chief guest, while Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) CEO Nuzhat Yasmin and the ambassadors of the Philippines and the Maldives will be present as special guests.

Rezowan Kabir, who came with his family, said, "I visit the Asian Tourism Fair every year and came again this time. Various tour operators are offering special discounts and attractive packages. I believe such fairs help promote the sustainable development of the country's tourism sector."

Rahat Shikdar from Dhanmondi added, "Travelling at home and abroad is my passion. Organising such fairs in Bangladesh creates opportunities to showcase the country's tourist destinations to the world."

Organised by Parjatan Bichitra, this year's fair features tourism organisations and businesses not only from Bangladesh but also from partner countries the Philippines, the Maldives and Nepal.

ATF Chairman and Parjatan Bichitra Editor Mohiuddin Helal said tourism fairs, festivals, events, conferences and food festivals have always been well received by both local and foreign tourists. "Like every year, we have received an overwhelming response this time too," he said.

Across 180 booths in two halls, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators and travel agents are offering special discounts and attractive packages for the upcoming tourism season. Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the title sponsor.

The fair aims to energise the tourism industry by promoting hotels, resorts, cruises, airlines, theme parks, tour operators and travel agencies. It also serves as an important milestone in presenting Bangladesh's tourist destinations to the global audience through public–private initiatives.

Domestic and foreign tourism businesses, government tourism agencies and representatives of foreign embassies and missions in Dhaka have joined the fair.

This year's key partners include Nepal as the prime partner country, the Philippines and the Maldives as partner countries, Beautiful Bangladesh as host country, Crown Plaza Dhaka Gulshan as hospitality partner, Convoy Service as transport partner, M360 as ICT partner, The Travel Bound as official publication, and Dhaka Dinner Cruise as cruise partner.