The government has prepared a detailed plan in consultation with sector partners to revive the country's tourism industry in the offset of the coronavirus pandemic, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali said.
Incentives will be provided for the tourism industry that took a huge hit due to the pandemic, he told a virtual media briefing on Saturday marking the World Tourism Day-2020.
Mahbub said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already announced incentives for different sectors, including tourism, affected by the pandemic.
“The Bangladesh Tourism Board, under the direction of the tourism ministry, has already readied a recovery plan in consultation with tourism partners to revive the damaged industry", he added.
The minister said currently, some of the country’s tourist destinations has reopened following health rules and the closed ones would be reopened gradually considering the Covid-19 situation.
"To flourish the country’s tourism (once again), involvement of people from all walks of life is necessary. We must utilize our resources to make the best of our tourism potential,” he added.
Mahbub said with the tourist spots starting to reopen, visitors and other people involving in the sector must follow the hygiene rules.
The BTB has already formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the tourism industry as per health regulations with district administrations and other local authorities being instructed to implement it, he added.
Work is also underway to create awareness among visitors to comply with health rules, the minister said.
Referring to the beautiful countryside, Mahbub said, "The development of rural tourism will improve the socio-economic condition and advance the progress in villages. The BTB is working to create awareness among rural people to involve them with tourism. The scope of this work will increase further in the future".
Senior Secretary of the tourism ministry Mohibul Haque, said, "If rural are become more developed tourists will definitely visit there. It is necessary to create and nurture a tourism-friendly culture in the country order to take tourism forward and we are working on it".
He said Bangladesh becomes much safer for tourists than it was before following the formation of the tourist police. The tourist police are working tirelessly to ensure the security in the tourist centers and to the visitors.
“We are in close touch with the local government ministry to develop road infrastructure to facilitate the rural tourist destinations and coordinating with other ministries as well,” Mohibul added.
BTB Chief Executive Officer Jabed Ahmed, Chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Ram Chandra Das and other officials of the ministry were present on the occasion.
Bangladesh will celebrate the World Tourism Day on Sunday with the theme of "Tourism for Rural Development".
Marking the day, Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh Tourism Corporation have chalked to an elaborate programme under the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
