On the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, the government is likely to disseminate a message across the global that the country is safe to visit and it has a rich and developed tourism industry. The authority concerned is working to make the country more attractive globally.
Besides, 50 years of the country’s independence, the authority concerned is going to take Initiatives to declare 2021 as a Tourism Year. Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister Md Mahbub Ali has confirmed this. He was addressing a seminar as chief guest styled 'Tourism of Bangladesh: Opportunities and Challenges', organised by the ministry at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday.
He said, “On Golden Jubilee of our independence in 2021, we are aiming to announce ‘Tourism Year’. Based on our Prime Minister's consent, we will take a detail work plan for this”. Citing the tourism industry a competitive market, the state minister said, “If we cannot ensure quality service, our tourism industry will fail to grow. However, what we cannot provide before, we are now aiming to provide the highest quality facilities to develop our tourism further”.
“As per the Prime Minister directives we are continuously working to develop the industry in collaboration with all stockholders. We will be branding all historical and archaeological installations including Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, Chota Katra, Boro Katra, and Jatiya Sangsad Bhavan”, added the state minister.
About the country’s law and order situation, Mahbub said, “Compared to the previous year, at present tourists can now move safely. After forming the Tourist Police, travelers feel safe to go to any part of the country”. About the development of the tourism industry, Mahbub added that “Master plan formulation for the tourism industry is now on the card. The consultant has been appointed, soon we will have their suggestions, based on which we will start our work.”
The ministry secretary MD Mohibul Haque presided over the seminar, and said combined efforts are vital in developing the industry. “There are no entertainment facilities in our country’s tourism sites. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given us direction. Within the next 15 days, as per our move, the cultural event will be organised at Parjatan Corporation Motel regularly”, he added.
Besides, the government is going to introduce one-stop service in the tourism industry to provide all sorts of support from one point. Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Board Jabed Ahmed, Chairman of Tourism Corporation Ram Chandra Das, Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Md Mokabbir Hossain and eminent TV personality Nawajish Ali Khan, among others, spoke on the occasion.