The government is focusing on innovative promotional strategies and resolving visa related issues to attract more foreign tourists.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan said this in a meeting with the officials of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) and Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (BTC) located at Parjatan Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday. Secretary of the Ministry Md Mokammel Hossain was present during the visit.
The Minister said that the number of local tourists in the country has increased due to the improvement of the living standards of the our people. “Now we have to focus on increasing the number of foreign tourists. Innovative promotion strategies should be taken to make foreign tourists aware of the tourism attractions of our country,” he said.
The Minister said that visa facilitation for foreign tourists, issuance of visas to them at the earliest, increasing the scope of on-arrival visas will be discussed with the Ministry of Home Affairs and swift action will be taken. Besides, the minister also laid emphasis on launching special services at the airport for them and making efficient tour guides.
Faruk Khan said that to realize the immense potential of tourism in Bangladesh, the existing problems of the tourism sector will be identified and initiatives will be taken to solve them. Private sector and tour operators are important stakeholders in our tourism. All kinds of cooperation will be provided to them subject to increased coordination with them to continue the development of tourism.
To build Bangabandhu’s dream of Sonar Bangla, to implement the vision of Prime Minister ‘Smart Bangladesh’, everyone working in the tourism sector should be smart in thinking and working. If everyone works together sincerely, the tourism industry will develop. There will be positive changes in this industry, added Faruk Khan.
The minister said that the tourism attractions of the country should be properly highlighted to the foreign tourists while keeping nation’s culture intact. We need to popularize our tourist destinations, Faruk Khan also mentioned.
Besides, he also emphasized on eco-tourism, adventure tourism and culinary tourism. To make all establishments of BPC more profitable, he suggested to launch new services along with increasing the quality of services.