More than 20 countries will participate in the first-ever Bangladesh Travel Mart (BTM) 2026 in September, aiming to promote Bangladesh as an emerging tourism and travel trade hub in South Asia. The three-day international travel marketplace, organised by the Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA), will be held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka from September 3 to 5. Over 130 international and domestic exhibitors, 50 international hosted buyers, 200 Bangladeshi buyers, representatives from more than 100 tourism organisations and around 15,000 visitors are expected to attend what organisers described as the country’s largest international tourism and travel trade exhibition.
Objectives and Expectations
Announcing the event at a press conference in Dhaka, BOTOA President Syed Golam Mohammad said Bangladesh’s tourism industry has entered a new phase, supported by improved connectivity, increased private-sector investment, stronger government backing and growing international engagement. "Bangladesh possesses exceptional natural beauty, a rich cultural and historical heritage, and renowned hospitality. Bangladesh Travel Mart 2026 will provide an international platform to showcase these strengths and establish stronger partnerships with the global tourism industry," he said.
He said the event would help promote Bangladesh as an attractive tourism destination while creating new commercial opportunities across the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors. BOTOA General Secretary Md. Shariful Islam Sharif said although the association primarily represents Bangladesh’s outbound tourism industry, it is equally committed to strengthening inbound tourism and attracting more international visitors.
Event Features and Structure
BTM Chief Coordinator Mohsin Iqbal said the event would serve as a comprehensive international networking platform by bringing together tourism boards, airlines, hotels, destination management companies, tour operators and travel agencies from around the world under one roof. He said the exhibition would feature separate Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) halls, allowing exhibitors to engage more effectively with trade professionals while offering consumers direct access to travel products and services.
For the first time in Bangladesh, the event will also host an International Hosted Buyer Programme, facilitating structured business meetings between global buyers and exhibitors. The B2B segment will include pre-arranged buyer-seller meetings, networking sessions and partnership discussions aimed at expanding commercial cooperation, cross-border tourism and investment in tourism, hospitality and aviation. The B2C exhibition will offer visitors direct access to domestic and international tour packages, airline tickets, hotel bookings, visa services, destination information and promotional offers from participating exhibitors.
Significance for Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Travel Mart-2026 is expected to significantly boost the country's tourism sector by showcasing its potential as a premier destination in South Asia. By bringing together international and domestic stakeholders, the event aims to foster partnerships, attract investment, and enhance the overall tourism infrastructure. This initiative is a crucial step towards positioning Bangladesh as a key player in the global tourism industry.
