Travel industry warns of collapse, demands withdrawal of ‘catastrophic’ draft ordinance

Bangladesh's travel sector warned of an imminent collapse today (23 November) as the ATAB Member Welfare Unity Alliance demanded the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Travel Agency Registration and Control Ordinance 2025, describing it as "unrealistic, economically destructive and potentially catastrophic." 

The warning came during a human chain outside the National Press Club, where industry leaders claimed the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry's draft ordinance—intended to replace the 2013 law and its 2021 amendments—would effectively shut down nearly 5,000 travel agencies nationwide, destabilising aviation, tourism, labour migration and Hajj–Umrah services.

Alliance Convener Mohammad Jalal Uddin Tipu, argued that several clauses reflected a fundamental misunderstanding of sector operations. 

He said Section 5, which bans ticket purchases and sales between agencies, would make survival impossible for most firms, as many lack direct ticket-issuing rights and rely on inter-agency arrangements. 

Tipu also criticised the proposed security deposit requirement of Tk10 lakh to Tk1 crore, calling it an "impossible burden" for small and medium-sized firms. 

Speakers opposed Section 9, which restricts licence transfers to family members, bars recruiting agents from operating multiple services at the same address, and allows licence suspension without a hearing. 

"Under national law, multiple licences at the same address are legal," Tipu said, noting the long-standing practice of shared offices among recruiting and Hajj agencies.

Alliance Member Secretary Mohammad Juman Chowdhury termed the proposed penalties—up to three years' imprisonment and fines of Tk50 lakh—"excessive and unnecessary."

Speakers cautioned against introducing sweeping reforms under an interim government, arguing that such changes require parliamentary scrutiny to ensure transparency and legitimacy.

Memoranda submitted to CA 

After the human chain, a delegation led by Tipu submitted memoranda to the Office of the Chief Adviser, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and the Ministry of Law. 

The memoranda warned that the ordinance, if enacted, could trigger widespread closures, leaving owners, officials and employees jobless and severely disrupting the sector.

The documents outlined multiple concerns, including internal inconsistencies, onerous financial obligations, criminalisation of inter-agency ticketing, restrictions on licence transfer, operational barriers for recruiting agents and disproportionately harsh penalties.