BPC moves to draw more tourists during Eid vacation

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Talha Bin Habib
The authorities of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) have taken initiatives to draw more tourists during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr vacation, an official said.
In this regard, the BPC has spent Tk 20 million for renovation work of its hotels and motels and improved services with competitive rates compared to its private sector rivals.
"We (BPC) are ready to give proper services to our clients with their entire satisfaction during the upcoming vacation," a high official of the corporation told the FE.
He has said that the BPC offers package programmes for minimum 8 persons to visit Rangamati, Cox's Bazar and Bandarban for three days and two nights. The charge for per person is fixed at Tk 8,500.
He said that at present the corporation has no programme to bring tourists to see the natural beautify of Sundarbans as it's a rainy season.
The BPC has set a target to earn an additional amount of Tk 24 million under its targeted plan of actual income for the current fiscal year (FY) 2012-13 compared with the last fiscal following growing demand by the tourists to avail its improved services.
The corporation has set a target to earn Tk 736 million as actual income for the current fiscal which was Tk 712 million during the last fiscal.
The operational profit of BPC was Tk 63.4 million and the net profit was Tk 29 million during the FY 2011-12.
Meanwhile, the authorities of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) have taken some promotional activities to draw more local and foreign tourists to visit the country's historical sites and tourist resorts.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BTB Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir said when a tourist visits Bangladesh then it creates job opportunities for 5- 6 local persons. Besides, the tourism sector contributes cent per cent value addition to the country's economy.
He has said tour operators and journalists from Japan, Germany and Spain have visited Bangladesh in May last and took a positive note about Bangladesh.
He has said the BTB, under its ongoing promotional campaign, would participate in different promotional events in some countries in Asia and Europe in near future.
Mr Kabir mentioning the development of infrastructure including roads, railways and waterways said BTB ensures best accommodation facilities with modern amenities for tourists especially foreigners.
"Bangladesh got best marketing of tourism award in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in May 2012," he said.