State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced today that the government is formulating the 'National Tourism Policy 2026' to ensure realistic and effective development of tourism destinations across the country. Speaking at a seminar on 'Development of Backwater Tourism' organized by the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), Millat emphasized the need for realistic decisions and their implementation for tourism development. He highlighted the government's efforts to transform Bangladesh into a tourism hub and address inter-ministerial coordination gaps through new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
Policy Goals and Private Sector Engagement
Millat stressed the importance of private-sector involvement in accelerating the industry's growth. He announced plans to create private investment-friendly policies and increase the manpower of the Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh Tourist Police. The ministry will also request Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to convene regular meetings of the National Tourism Council to ensure policy-level coordination and monitoring.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter noted the government's efforts to start work on the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to address the shortage of reliable tourism data. A development project for Tanguar Haor has been included in this year's Annual Development Programme (ADP). Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Samimuzzaman highlighted the potential of backwater tourism and the importance of involving local communities in tourism development. The seminar, chaired by Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Md Abdur Rouf, discussed the challenges and prospective action plans for backwater tourism.
Why This Matters for Bangladesh
The introduction of the 'National Tourism Policy 2026' is a significant step towards enhancing Bangladesh's tourism sector. With coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, the contribution of tourism to the country's GDP could reach 10 percent in the foreseeable future. This policy aims to overcome past coordination gaps, attract private investment, and ensure sustainable growth in the tourism industry.






























