11th Asian Tourism Fair kicks off in Dhaka

To boost the tourism industry, the 11th Asian Tourism Fair 2024 has started in Dhaka. This three-day event, which began today, will run until 21 September.

The fair will be open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM, and the theme for this year's fair is 'Opening the Doors to Tourism – Asian Tourism Fair.'

On the afternoon of Thursday, 19 September, the fair was inaugurated at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Kuril, Dhaka by AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, chairman of the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation and additional secretary.

In his keynote speech, AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik emphasized the importance of investment in the tourism sector. He stated that this year's Asian Tourism Fair, organised by Tourism Bichitra, is the largest tourism fair ever held in Bangladesh. 

He highlighted the need for political, cultural, and infrastructural development in tourism. By fostering the tourism industry, the country can achieve sustainable development. He urged everyone to invest in the tourism sector, describing it as a promising field for investment.

He also mentioned that, as countries worldwide are continuously changing and focusing on tourism for economic development, Bangladesh must also prioritize tourism to make these changes more sustainable.

In his special guest speech, Li Xiaoping, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy, invited tourists from Bangladesh and other countries to enjoy the beauty of China. He noted that this Asian Tourism Fair would set a new precedent in the tourism industry between Bangladesh and China and promote cultural exchange.

Md Abu Kalam Siddik, DIG of Tourist Police Bangladesh, highlighted that the role of the tourist police is to ensure the safety of tourists dedicatedly. He mentioned that tourism is a promising sector for Bangladesh, providing job opportunities and showcasing the country's rich culture globally. He encouraged tourists to contact the Tourist Police if they face any issues, assuring them of available hotlines for support.

Shiuneen Rasheed, the high commissioner of the Maldives, shared that many Maldivian institutions are participating in this year's fair. He anticipated that the fair would foster new relationships between the people of Bangladesh and the Maldives and invited tourists to visit the Maldives, known for its affordable tourism costs.

Leo Tito L Osan Jr, the Philippine ambassador to Bangladesh, invited people to explore the historical sites of the Philippines, noting the country's diverse tourist attractions from beaches to mountains. He emphasised that tourism strengthens both relationships and economies.

Fatema Rahim Bina, additional Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, praised Bangladesh's natural beauty and the attractiveness of its tourism sites. She hoped that this fair would create immense opportunities for tourism among Asian countries.

The fair is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, the Bangladesh Tourism Board, and the Tourist Police Bangladesh. The entry fee for the fair is Tk30, and raffle draws will offer airline tickets and exciting travel gift vouchers. 

This year's fair features nearly a hundred tourism organisations from Bangladesh, the Maldives, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bhutan, and Singapore. Visitors can find various travel offers, hotel and resort bookings, and special discounts. The fair includes hotels, motels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators, theme parks, and more.

Additionally, the fair will host diverse events, including tourism-related seminars, a children's drawing competition, and Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings. Cultural performances from China, the Philippines, and Bangladesh will be held each evening. The fair aims to present a comprehensive picture of the tourism industry to the public.

Special guests at the inauguration included Fatema Rahim Bina, Leo Tito L Osan Jr, Shiuneen Rasheed, and DIG Md Abu Kalam Siddik. Also present were Zhuni Rasheed, deputy managing director of the Maldives National Tourism Board, Li Xiaoping, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy, Srimali Jayarathne, commercial counselor at the Sri Lankan High Commission, and Mohiuddin Helal, editor of Tourism Bichitra and chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair.