Galaxy Bangladesh chairman Taufiq Uddin Ahmed receives lifetime achievement award
Taufiq Uddin Ahmed, Founder and Chairman of Galaxy Bangladesh, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the "ShareTrip-Monitor Airline of the Year 2024" ceremony, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to Bangladesh's aviation, travel, and tourism industry over more than five decades.
The award, which is the country's only recognition dedicated to the aviation and travel sector, was presented at a ceremony held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The Jury Committee commended Mr Ahmed's "visionary leadership and pioneering role in transforming Bangladesh's travel industry."
Mr Ahmed began his professional journey in 1972 with the founding of Galaxy Travel International, at a time when Bangladesh's travel sector was in its early stages. Starting from a small office in Dhaka's Dilkusha Commercial Area, he built Galaxy into one of the most respected multi-sector service organisations in the country.
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During the 1970s and 1980s, Mr Ahmed led Galaxy to become a leading corporate travel service provider for government entities, multinational corporations, banks, and NGOs, establishing the company as a key player in Bangladesh's travel and aviation landscape.
Under his leadership, Galaxy served as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for numerous international airlines, including United Airlines, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Saudia, Kingfisher Airlines, Jazeera Airways, Ansett Australia, SpiceJet, and others—helping to significantly expand airline access to and from Bangladesh.
Mr Ahmed has also played a prominent role in shaping the country's broader travel sector. He is a founding member of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and served three terms as President of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB). He has been a key advocate for industry regulation, policy development, and improved service standards. Galaxy, under his guidance, also partnered with visa processing agencies like VFS Global to simplify international travel processes for Bangladeshi citizens.
Reflecting on the award, Mr Taufiq Uddin Ahmed said, "This recognition is a milestone for both me and the Galaxy team. I am thankful to our airline partners, government agencies, civil aviation authorities, Biman, and the private sector for their continued support. We remain committed to strengthening the travel and aviation industry in Bangladesh."
He also emphasised the need to tap into new opportunities in medical and leisure tourism and called for enhanced infrastructure and international promotion of Bangladesh's travel offerings.
In its citation, the Jury Committee stated that the award was given "in special recognition of Mr Taufiq Uddin Ahmed's outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Bangladesh's travel industry."
Event organisers noted that Mr Ahmed's legacy continues to serve as a benchmark in the aviation and tourism industry, highlighting his role in connecting people, promoting cross-border mobility, and enhancing Bangladesh's global connectivity.
