3-day tourism fair to open in city on February 1 – – observerbd.com

A three-day international tourism fair will open at Bangabandhu International Convention Center in the city on Thursday, February 1 and conclude on Saturday, February 3, organizers said.

Functionaries of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) said Bangladesh tourism will spread globally through various programmes of Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF). TOAB is working towards that goal.  

Director (Trade and Fair) Md Anwar Hossain made the remark in an exclusive interview on Monday with the Daily Observer. He said TOAB has been organizing this three-day annual international tourism fair since 2007.

There will be various sessions. A total of 100 organizations, 150 booths in 3 halls will house the participating organizations in the fair.The main objective of the fair is to create awareness about tourism and its sustainable development in Bangladesh, he said adding the fair has the overall support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, Bangladesh Tourism Board, FBCCI and Bangladesh Tourist Police.

Talking about the overall preparation of the fair, Anwar Hossain said, “Initiatives have been taken to make this fair more attractive and magnificent than previous years. This year there will be business to business session, seminars, round table discussions, country presentations, cultural programmes, raffle draws etc in the side line along with the main fair.”

He further said national and international tourism organizations, domestic and foreign tour operators, travel agents, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, resorts, amusement parks, transport companies and many others will participate in this three-day fair.

Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATA), Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association (ETTOA), Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO) are taking part in it.

Moreover, tour operators and travel agents from India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, UAE and Turkey confirmed their participation. Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh Tourism Corporation have also confirmed their participation. We hope tour operators and travel agents from more countries will participate.

Anwar Hossain said the fair will be inaugurated by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan. The secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mokammel Hossain, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Chairman, Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO, Bangladesh Tourist Police are scheduled to attend the opening session.

 Ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries will also attend the opening ceremony of the fair.

Anwar Hossain said, this years fair is expected to be more attractive. It should be declared an industry and low cost loan facilities be given to local tour operators to revamp the industry.

“The government needs a proper plan to develop the tourism sector, he said adding at the same time, opportunities should be increased for the private sector.