BD targets one million tourists in 2016, to host regional meet on tourism in October

Dhaka : Bangladesh is going to observe 2016 as ‘Visit Bangladesh Year’ with target to attract one million tourists. The country has also taken initiative to host a regional meet on tourism in October this year.

Inaugurating Dhaka Travel Mart-2015, at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on April 9, as chief guest, Rashed Khan Menon, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, said that 2016 has been declared as Viisit Bangladesh Year in a bid to help boost Bangladesh’s tourism sector.”

Bangladesh has immense potential in attracting tourists, due to its rich cultural heritage and famous tourist spots, such as Cox’s Bazar and the Sundarbans, he said.

Menon said his ministry would focus on religious tourism. The country has several religious sites for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, he said. “The number of tourists will obviously increase if we can develop such sites.”

In addition, health tourism would be another exciting prospect for tourists, especially from Nepal and Bhutan, he said. “Many patients from Nepal and Bhutan are coming to Bangladesh for better treatment.”

The minister also asked the national carrier Biman to develop attractive travel packages so that people from the neighbouring countries and non-resident Bangla-deshis visit the country.

Menon said contribution of tourism to national GDP is now only about two per cent. This could the greatly expanded with proper exploitation of tourist attractions.

There are also religious and social events that can be interesting events for tourist.
With proper growth, contribution of tourism to national economy can easily be more than what garment is now contributing.

Menon cited example of Myanmar and said that after years of isolation, Myanmar has made tremendous progress in developing tourism. Myanmar, he said is also attractive huge foreign investment.

Menon lauded the role of The Bangladesh Monitor in developing tourism in the country.

Regional tourism meet
Addressing the function as special guest, Khorshed Alam Chowdhury, Secretary, Minis-try of Civil Aviation and Tourism disclosed that Bangladesh has taken initiative to host a multi-national meet on tourism, in October this year.

He said that, nine countries–Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are expected to attend the meet.

Taleb D Rifai, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organisation is expected to attend the proposed regional conference.

Except SAARC, the event is going to be the first-ever multi-national conference on tourism in the country.

Chowdhury said his ministry has already sought the opinions of all stakeholders to develop tourism products to help Visit Bangladesh Year campaign a success.

He also informed that the first meeting of the National Committee on Visit Bangla-desh Year is scheduled to be held on April 27.

Biman to help domestic tourism
Kyle Haywood, Managing Director and CEO, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, stressed the need to develop domestic tourism for higher economic growth.

Growth of domestic tourism has a multiplier effect on the economy as it benefits different sectors such hotels, airlines and small businesses, he added.

In bids to promote local tourism, Biman has increased its seat capacity by 80 percent on seven domestic routes, said Haywood.

DTM-2015
“This fair is happening at an appropriate time as the country’s political environment has recently improved,” said Kazi Wahidul Alam, Chairman of the Dhaka Travel Mart-2015.

Kazi Wahidul Alam, informed that Dhaka Travel Mart is being held since the year 2002 as a regular annual event.

Over the last 13 years, the fair is playing a vital role in the development of country’s travel and tourism sector. It has indeed become an iconic event in the country, which many others are now following.

Welcoming all the participants from different parts of the country and abroad Wahid expressed hope that they would be able to build up mutually rewarding business relationship through their interactions with the consumers and trade partners during the fair.

He also thanked Bangladesh Tourism Board and Biman Bangladesh Airlines for their active support and cooperationin organising this Mart as valued partners.

Wahid expressed the hope that Bangladesh would soon become one of the most popular destinations of this region and for that we only need our concerted efforts and a congenial atmosphere in the country.

Over fifty participants from within the country and abroad showcased attractive tour packages, discounted air fares, hotel accommodations and various other special offers which were specially designed for the Fair and were available only during the Fair.

More than 16,000 people visited the DTM-2015 during three days of the fair, which was 20% more than the last year. Spot transaction was higher by 30 per cent and was around Tk. 4 crore, including sale of air tickets, tour packages, hotel rooms and others.

The fair ended with a simple closing ceremony on April 11 evening. CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir attended the ceremony as chief guest and distributed certificates among that participants. The ceremony was marked by an attractive Raffle Draw on entry coupons in front of the visitors.

Twenty lucky winners received airline tickets to various destinations at home and abroad, tour packages, hotel stay, lunch/dinner coupons etc.