The authorities concerned have plans to introduce ‘Tourism Week’ and ‘Tourism Month’aiming to involve the general people, including the young generation, in intensive and sustainable development of the tourism industry.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan made these remarks at a press conference held at the ministry's conference room on Thursday, marking World Tourism Day that falls on Sept 27.
She said that Bangladesh has immense potential for tourism development. More steps will be taken to transform the country into an attractive tourist destination by harnessing this potential.
"Tourism is not solely a government initiative.The public is the main stakeholder. Therefore, development of the tourism industry requires involvement of both the government and private entrepreneurs," she added.
The secretary further said that 3.02 percent of the country's total GDP comes from this sector. The National Industrial Policy 2022 mentions 12 sub-sectors within the tourism industry where numerous employment opportunities exist. A comprehensive 'tourism master plan' has been developed to ensure the overall advancement of the sector.
She also said that initiative has been taken to train family members of the martyrs of July-August mass uprising to integrate them into the tourism industry.
World Tourism Day will be observedin Bangladesh and elsewhere across the globe today. To mark the
day, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry has drawn up elaborate programs. This year’s theme set by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is ‘tourism and peace’.
Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Chairman AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, Additional Secretaries Begum Fatema Rahim Veena, Md. Anisur Rahman, AbdunNaser Khan, Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Abu Taher Mohammad Jaber, and Civil Aviation Authority Member SM Lablur Rahman, among others, were present at the press conference.
