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Tourism thrives on buoyant economy

Global operators target Bangladeshi tourists; three-day travel mart begins in Dhaka

Star Business Report
Pan Pacific "Though Sonargaon there was an . hotel unfortunate
Nepal. Sri plane crash at
I. a n k a .Kathmandu Malaysia, this month, this Bangladeshi I h a i I a n d , would not put nationals are Singapore,© f f progressively China, the Bangladeshis becoming a United Arab from visiting target for the Emirates and the country," he tourism board many other added.
of many coun- countries are Nepal gets tries due to showcasing 25,000 tourists their rise in their attractions from purchasing before prospec- Bangladesh in a power, brought five Bangladeshi year on average, about by the tourists. Sri Lanka
country's solid "Bangladesh received 1,600 economic! tourists are Bangladeshis growth for over one of our each month on a decade. prime targets," average in 2017,
It was evi- said Sudhan according to dent at the Subedi, senior Shermal Perera, three-day US- officer of Nepal country man-Bangla Airlines Tourism Board a ger of Sri Dhaka Travel Subedi Lankan Airlines Mart 2018 that brought seven in Bangladesh, began yesterday tour operators read more on at the capital's with him. "And the number is growing in double digits," he added. Sri Lanka has eight stalls at the fair.
Hie UAE, which has recently lifted the visa ban for Bangladeshi tourists after more than 5 years, has come up with offers through its airlines at the fair.
For example. Air Arabia, a UAE-based low-cost airline, is offering a three-night package for Dubai forTk 49,999, including return ticket, hotel accommodation and visa fee.
"People's disposable income has increased significantly and that's why they are travelling more than ever before," said Kazi Wahidul Alam, chairman of the event organising committee.
More than 20 lakh Bangladeshis visit different countries every year and the number is growing steadily, he said.
The most visited country by Bangladeshis is India; coincidentally, India gets the highest number of foreign tourists from Bangladesh.
About 21 lakh Bangladeshis visited the neighbouring country last year, up about 53 percent year-on-year.
Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia each get about one lakh Bangladeshi visitors a year.
Maldives and Indonesia get about 25,000 Bangladeshis visitors every year, according to the representatives of the country's tourism boards.
The airlines too are offering lucrative deals to attract Bangladeshi tourists.
The correspondent found a long queue in front of the stall of Biman Bangladesh Airlines: the state-owned carrier is providing 20 percent discount to its six international destinations.
Taking up the offer was Monirul Bashar, a private service holder, who never ventured outside of Bangladesh. He purchased two tickets from Biman to fly to Malaysia and Thailand.
Shakil Meraj, general manager for public relations at Biman, said they have targeted to make sales of about Tk 3 crore at the fair. US-Bangla Airlines is offering 10 to 25 percent discount and Regent Airways 12 percent discount to all of its destinations.
Travel agents and tour operators are also selling different products and services targeting the Eid vacation.
Mohammad Imrul Rashed, a sales executive of Amazing Tours BD, said they are offering huge discounts to different destinations but they found people to be most interested in visiting Dubai.
Within few hours of the fair's inauguration, the tour operator sold four packages worth Tk 1.15 lakh to Dubai.
Explore Holidays is promoting tour packages to China, said Domenic Gomes Sumon, its chief operating officer.
A local company, goBDgo.com, is promoting cruises from Singapore, said Sayeda Rezwana, an assistant manager of the operator.
The previous edition of the fair saw tour operators, hotels and airlines logging in sales amounting to more than Tk 3.5 crore, according to organisers. This year, they are expecting much higher numbers.
At the fair, 48 organisations from different countries and host Bangladesh are showcasing their products and services in five pavilions and 60 booths.
This year, the organisers are also focusing on river tourism and will organise a seminar on the last day of the fair.
Earlier in the morning, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal inaugurated thefair.