Peter A Semone, Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), assured full cooperation from the association, given that the Bangladesh government seeks support in tourism recovery.
He was speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled “Roadmap for Tourism Recovery: Present Bangladesh Context”, which was held at Sheraton Dhaka on Sunday. PATA Chairman in his speech also stressed the necessity to establish visa free entry for top tourist generating source markets of Bangladesh.
The seminar was organized by The Bangladesh Monitor, a leading trade publication. Syed Ghulam Qadir, General Secretary of World Tourism Network Bangladesh Chapter, presented the keynote paper, while Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, moderated the session.
In the keynote address, Syed Ghulam Qadir noted, the country’s hotel occupancy currently stands at a poor number—30-35 per cent—while many international bookings remain cancelled. Despite immense potential, Bangladesh’s tourism industry remains primarily driven by domestic travellers, noted Qadir. According to government data, Bangladesh welcomed 555,000 foreign visitors in 2023, when the tourism sector contributed 3.2 per cent to the country’s GDP.
In the keynote Qadir suggested a number of measures: launching e-visa system, ensuring travelers’ safety, undertaking public relations efforts, attending international fairs, appointing tourism officials in Bangladeshi missions abroad, and increasing Biman’s role in promotional activities.
Bangladesh industry stakeholders urged the government to prepare a comprehensive crisis management plan to revive the country’s travel trade sector, which is currently reeling from the effects of the recent student-led mass uprising.
Shahid Hamid. President, PATA Bangladesh Chapter opined that building the country’s image as an ideal destination to visit is key to increase the number of tourist arrivals.
Md. Rafeuzzaman, President, Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) urged the government to reduce the VAT imposed on tour operators’ services, allowing them to offer attractive packages to visitors.
Masud Hossain, Managing Director, Bengal Tours reiterated the need to recognize tour operators as they bring valuable foreign currency to the country. This, in turn, will facilitate them to go all-out in promoting Bangladesh globally as an attractive destination to visit.
Taufiq Rahman, CEO, Journey Plus stressed that utilizing NRB communities all over the world to promote Bangladesh as an ideal destination to visit can be a huge gamechanger. He sought PATA’s support in Bangladesh’s tourism industry recovery, referring to the key role the association played in Sri Lanka tourism recovery.
Md Shakawath Hossain, CEO, Unique Hotel and Resorts highlighted the necessity to revoke advance income tax imposed on products the country’s hotels serve to guests. Such policy improvements will allow the country’s star hotels to offer their products and services to foreign visitors at attractive rates, said Shakawath.
The seminar was also attended by other key figures from country’s travel and tourism sectors as well as media representatives.
