The government is working with all relevant stakeholders to transform Bangladesh into an international tourism hub, in line with its electoral commitment, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita today. "Making Bangladesh an international tourism hub is part of our election manifesto, and we are all working together towards that goal," she said while addressing the launching ceremony of the Travel and Tourism Development Centre (TTDC) at Hotel InterContinental in the capital. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is taking a fresh approach to unlocking the country's vast tourism potential and positioning the sector as a major driver of economic growth and employment.
National Tourism Council and Master Plan
A National Tourism Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, has been formed with a target to increase tourism's contribution to GDP from around three percent at present to 6-7 percent in the coming years. A National Tourism Master Plan is also being finalised, while a mega tourism development initiative is underway covering Cox's Bazar, Sylhet and Khulna. More than 100 professional tour guides have already been trained under the government's skill development programme.
Private Sector Leadership and TTDC Launch
Stressing the importance of private-sector leadership, the minister said the government could formulate policies and open doors through diplomatic engagement, but ultimately hoteliers, tour operators, airlines and young entrepreneurs would have to turn Bangladesh into an attractive destination for international travellers. "This is precisely where the private sector must lead from the front," she said. Closer coordination among government agencies, businesses, researchers, aviation stakeholders and the media would be essential to achieve the government's goal of making Bangladesh an international tourism hub. Against this backdrop, the minister described the newly launched TTDC as an important platform for bringing the public and private sectors together and translating the country's tourism ambitions into concrete action.
