Potential travellers are seen collecting brochures from a stall of the Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair-2023 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka yesterday. Travel agents and tour operators from various countries are participating in the fair, which aims to boost the tourism industry.

STAR BUSINESS REPORT

The tourism industry will play a supporting role in building “Smart Bangladesh”, according to Mahbub Ali, the state minister for civil aviation and tourism.

He made this comment while addressing the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair-2023, organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka yesterday.

The three-day fair will remain open for visitors from 10:00am to 8:00pm each day while the entrance fee is Tk 30. However, students will be allowed to enter free of charge.

Tourism related associations and organisations from various countries, including tour operators and travel agents from India, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Vietnam, Japan and Turkey, are participating in the event through 146 stalls and 14 pavilions.

In his speech, Ali said effective development of tourism will play an important role in building a developing Bangladesh by 2024, and a developed and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.

“The present government is working on the expansion of this industry on a priority basis after realising the importance of tourism,” he added.

Ali then said a masterplan for ensuring sustainable development of the tourism industry is being formulated.

“This will ensure planned and coordinated development of tourism,” the state minister added.