Bangladesh fair seeks to help boost cross-border tourism

As Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged private entrepreneurs to develop the country's tourism sector for inclusive economic growth, the country's State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Md Mahbub Ali, said the Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2023 is set to play a significant role in creating a "favourable country" by showcasing various tourist attractions across the country.

- MANAS R BANNERJEE

The inauguration ceremony of the BTTF in Dhaka on 2 March was attended by tour operators from different countries, including India, even as those representing North Bengal expressed hope that the Fair will help boost cross-border tourism.

In her message to a three-day 11th BTTF organised by the Tour Opertors' Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina said: "The Awami League-led government has been taking innovative steps for tourism for a safe and secure tourism industry. Tourist Police are also becoming an integral part of tourism in Bangladesh. The main objective of the police is to be gentle, courteous and welcoming in all destinations across the country, while they are committed to ensure safety and security." Inaugurating the BTTF, Tourism State Minister Md Mahbub Ali said the communication systems have improved at present, and that the same had helped develop tourism.

"A master plan is being readied to bring in development in the tourism sector to undertake various projects. We have been working systematically for this potential tourism sector," Md Ali said.

In his message to the TOAB, which has been published in its News Letter, Md Ali said: "I further hope that as an important stakeholder of tourism, all members of TOAB would work wholeheartedly to bring out the mission of the present government to build a "Golden Bengal" (Sonar Bangla), a dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."