BRAC and ShareTrip signed MoU to promote ‘Otithi,’ a community-based tourism initiative

BRAC and ShareTrip, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali on Monday, 18 November 2024. The agreement aims to promote 'Otithi,' a community-based tourism initiative, to travellers from home and abroad.

The MoU was signed by KAM Morshed, Senior Director of BRAC, and Faruque Ahmed, General Manager of Operations at ShareTrip, on behalf of Sadia Haque, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ShareTrip.

'Otithi' is a community-based tourism initiative that promotes sustainable travel by showcasing the people, history, culture, and natural beauty of Bangladesh.

This initiative seeks to transform Bangladesh's tourism landscape by ensuring that travel directly benefits local communities, empowering them through economic growth and cultural preservation.

'Otithi' has been hosting guests since early November 2024 and is now partnering with ShareTrip to strengthen the endeavour. The initiative will be featured across ShareTrip's platform, along with ticketing services, to ensure a smoother, one-stop experience for visitors planning their trips.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, KAM Morshed, Senior Director of BRAC, emphasised BRAC's vision to scale community-based tourism across the country. He noted that while BRAC regularly hosts hundreds of donors and development practitioners keen to learn about its work, the organisation would benefit from ShareTrip's expertise in the tourism industry. A key priority for 'Otithi' is ensuring a seamless customer journey, which BRAC aims to achieve through its collaboration with ShareTrip's robust platform.

"Through our partnership with BRAC and 'Otithi,' we aim to showcase the beauty and diversity of Bangladesh while ensuring local communities are at the heart of tourism," said Mofassal Aziz, Head of Brand Communication, Media, and PR at ShareTrip. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating authentic and enriching travel experiences for both local and international tourists while establishing Bangladesh as a prominent destination for global tourism."

Faruque Ahmed, General Manager of Operations at ShareTrip, highlighted Bangladesh's tourism potential, emphasising that community-based tourism allows travellers to explore the real Bangladesh. He believes ShareTrip's role in ensuring smooth operations will help grow this sector, benefiting the tourism industry.

The event concluded with discussions on the way forward for the partnership during the ongoing tourism season.