Entrepreneurs of the tourism sector at a meeting held Tuesday have called for one-stop services for tourists, including e-visa and on-arrival visas, to attract foreign tourists.
The demand came at the fourth meeting of the Standing Committee on Tourism Development (Inbound, Outbound, Domestic, and Civil Aviation) of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), read a press release issued Tuesday.
Attending the meeting as the chief guest, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said, “The tourism industry of Bangladesh is very important and has potential. A few days ago, HSBC projected that Bangladesh will become the ninth-largest consumer market in the world by 2030.
“Our economy is growing, and the quality of life is improving. As a result, the tourism industry has now become more important.”
Jashim Uddin added that the prime minister has given special importance to the tourism sector. As a part of this, various infrastructural developments are going on at Cox's Bazar.
“The inauguration of the Padma Bridge has brought new windows to the tourism industry. After the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the number of tourists in the south and southwestern part of the country has increased significantly,” he added.
He also mentioned that the FBCCI will focus on the potential sector of the country in the upcoming Bangladesh Business Summit which is going to be held in March this year on the occasion of FBCCI's 50th anniversary. The tourism sector will be one of them.
“FBCCI will always stand by all positive initiatives in the development of the tourism sector,” the FBCCI chief added.
FBCCI Vice President Md Amin Helaly said, “To ensure the discipline and coordination of this potential sector, the participation of all government and private sectors (including associations) who work in tourism is essential.”
While moderating the discussion, the Director-in-Charge of the Standing Committee on Tourism Development (Inbound, Outbound, Domestic, & Civil Aviation) MGR Nasir Majumder said that tourism is always one of the priority sectors to the prime minister.
FBCCI Director Syed Moazzam Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Sanjida Sharmeen, Co-chairmen, and all Members of the Standing Committee were also present in the meeting.
