Tour operators envoy of country’s tourism

Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister Md Mahbub Ali said the tour operators are one of the key factors in the success of the tourism industry as they act as envoys of the country’s tourism sector.

He said, “I hope the tourism and travel fair will play a significant role in creating a favourable country branding by showcasing very wonderful tourism attractions all around the country. I also hope that all members of TOAB would work to bring out the mission of the government to build a Golden Bengal.”

The state minister made this comment at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Thursday after the inauguration of the three-day-long Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair-2023 (BTTF). The fair will end on March 4.

This fair is being organised by Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) while FirstTrip is the title sponsor, and Sheraton Dhaka is the hospitality partner of the fair.

Mahbub said the tour operators are an essential part of the tourism industry. They have the expertise, knowledge, and experience to provide the ultimate travel experience to tourists. Tour operators turn the dream vacation of tourists into reality.

“In the last 14 years, the internal communication systems have improved. All these infrastructure development projects have been implemented to ensure faster, safer, and more reliable movements of people, opening a new horizon to the tourism and hospitality sector of the country,” he said.

The fair with 146 stalls and 14 pavilions at three halls in BICC will be open to visitors from 10am to 8pm daily. The entry fee is Tk 30. However, freedom fighters and students will not have to pay the entry fee.

The organisers said national tourism organisations, boards and associations, tour operators and travel agents of different countries, including Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Japan, and Turkey, are participating in the fair.

Besides, various international and domestic airlines, hospitals, travel agencies and operators, hotels, resorts, and cruise liners are also showcasing their products as exhibitors, they said.

Secretary to Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Md Mokammel Hossain, Bangladesh Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman (grade-1) Md Ali Kadar, FirstTrip’s COO Hasnain Rafiq, Ken Komine, first secretary, Embassy of Japan also addressed the inaugural session of the fair.