State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali said that there are about seventeen hundred tourist spots in our country, which is a paradise of immense natural beauty. There are diverse and rich tourism products. There is also breath-taking natural beauty, rich history, diverse culture, multifaceted lifestyle and warm hospitality. But these issues are rarely highlighted in domestic and foreign media. People are less informed. As a result, the growing tourism industry is slowing down. Therefore, the diversity and beauty of the scenic places surrounded by mountains, plains, forests, seas, oceans, and valleys should be highlighted by all means.
Tourism minister said this while inaugurating the three-day 13th International Tourism Fair organized by tourism publication Bangladesh Monitor at a hotel in Chattogram on Thursday.
New airline Air Astra is the title sponsor of this three-day fair. The fair has 35 stalls including 6 foreign companies. An attractive raffle draw has been arranged for the visitors of the fair. Open to all, the fair will be open daily from 10 am to 8 pm. The fair will end on January 7.
He said that due to COVID, the tourism industry has been somewhat hindered, but currently the development of this sector is going on. Under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Tourism, Bangladesh Tourism Board has already formulated the 'Tourism Recovery Plan' and related 20 guidelines.
The National Tourism Human Capital Development Strategy has been formulated to determine the amount of employment in the tourism industry till 2030. Initiatives have been taken to update the National Tourism Policy 2010. Apart from this, infrastructural development, expansion of information technology and law and order situation have been improved across the country. He said, due to these ground-breaking steps of the government, the number of tourists has increased from 1 crore in 2019 to more than 2 crore in 2022.
Mahbub Ali said that work is going on to attract domestic tourists as well as foreign tourists. As a part of this, in addition to other activities conducted nationwide, three tourist parks have been started at Sabrang Naf and Sonadia in Cox's Bazar, Chattogram region. Airports have been modernized and increased in capacity. Construction of new terminal, renovation of old terminal, Jessore Saidpur Cox's Bazar etc. airport has been redecorated.
He said that the work of creating a new regional cooperation area is ongoing. For this purpose, initiatives have been taken to expand cooperation with neighbouring countries and increase communication and coordination with international tourism organizations. MoU is being signed. To attract foreign tourists, more importance is being given to development of tourism products, simplification of visa procedures, creative and dynamic marketing and promotion of tourism services. It is expected that soon the tourism industry of Bangladesh will become more popular in the world.
Minister said that sending Hajj pilgrims by ship will make the domestic tourism sector more attractive in the world. In response to another question, the state minister said that the beauty of Kutubdia Maheshkhali in this region should be highlighted in the media along with the existing tourist spots. tourist activities should be conducted keeping the natural beauty of St. Martin island intact.
Bangladesh Monitor Editor Kazi Wahidul Alam chaired the event, among others Chattogram Chamber Director Anjan Shekhar Das, Tourist Police Additional Superintendent of Police Hasan Iqbal, Air Astra Chief Executive Imran Asif, US Bengal Manager Kamrul Islam, Bangkok Bamrungrad Hospital Marketing Head Anna May Dial spoke.
