3-day tourism fair to kick off in Dhaka to revive the industry

A three-day tourism fair is set to begin in the capital with hopes of revitalising the country's tourism industry.

The 11th Asian Tourism Fair will be held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka from 19 to 21 September. Business owners and stakeholders are hopeful that this event will bring an end to the stagnation in the tourism sector and restore momentum.

Mohiuddin Helal, chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair and editor of tourism magazine Parjatan Bichitra, announced the dates during a press conference held today (17 September) at a Dhaka hotel. 

"One of the main objectives of organising this fair is to revitalise the tourism industry by making Bangladesh's tourist attractions more popular among both local and international visitors. The fair also aims to build a bridge with the regional tourism industry," he said.

This year's event is expected to host approximately 100 tourism companies from various countries, including Bangladesh, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bhutan, and Singapore.

The fair is organised by Parjatan Bichitra with support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Tourism Board, and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. 

According to Helal, the event is an opportunity to "break the stagnation in the tourism industry" and gain insights from countries that have excelled in tourism. He also stressed the need to address the high costs of hotels in Bangladesh.

During the press conference, it was announced that the fair will feature a variety of attractive travel offers for both domestic and international trips, including special discounts on hotel, resort, or package bookings. 

Participants will include hotels, motels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators, theme parks, and other entertainment providers.

Reflecting on recent political turmoil, Helal highlighted that the sector had faced challenges. The previous government was ousted on 5 August following a mass uprising. A temporary internet shutdown in July, imposed to suppress the protests, caused significant losses in the tourism industry, as stakeholders were unable to book flight tickets. Transportation came to a halt, leaving the sector in stagnation.

However, after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, an interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus took control of the country. Tourism businesses stressed that a peaceful environment is essential for travel, and now that peace has returned, this message must be communicated to both domestic and international tourists.

"The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is under the chief advisor's jurisdiction, and we've submitted a proposal for the development of the tourism sector. Given his global recognition, if foreign tourists can be invited to Bangladesh through him, it will open new doors for the industry," Helal said.

"To establish Bangladesh, with its natural beauty and diversity, as an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists, everyone needs to work together. The government should take a holistic approach to develop this sector, and both government and private entities must make sincere efforts to implement this initiative," he added.

Managing Director of Bangladesh Services Limited, Mohammad Atiqur Rahaman, echoed similar sentiments, "There has been a temporary stagnation in the tourism sector. We all need to step forward to overcome this lull. The fair will send a message to both domestic and international tourists that we are ready to serve them."

Mohammad Badrul Alam Molla, SP (Legal and Media) of the Tourist Police Headquarters, commented on the political upheaval, "What happened in Bangladesh on 5 August is like restarting a computer — Bangladesh has been restarted. We in the security sector are also reorganising ourselves to ensure the safety of tourists."

The fair will provide all necessary travel information under one roof. Helal highlighted, "From visa processing to hotel facilities, and travel guides — all this information will be available at the fair. We will present a complete picture of the tourism industry to visitors."

Visitors can expect enticing packages, discounts, and offers tailored to both tourists and business-to-business enterprises. 

The fair will be open from 10am to 8pm daily, with an entry fee of Tk30. Students can enjoy free admission by registering online. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in raffle draws with attractive prizes.