BTB to conduct tourism awareness programme in 3 districts

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FE Report Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) will carry out a 'Tourism Awareness Programme-2013' in three districts to increase the service quality provided to the tourists at a cost of about Tk 0.7 million. As part of the plan, the national tourism organization, will organize daylong training programme in Rangamati, Bandarban and Paharpur on June 15 and 22 respectively. The awareness programme will be later expanded across the country. A press conference was organized in this connection on the BTB premises in the city. "We want to promote our unexplored tourist spots by incorporating local people and increasing awareness about the quality of tourism services," Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir, Chief executive Officer of BTB said. He said behavioral pattern has become the major barrier to the flourishing of tourism and hospitality industry as local people in and around the tourist spots are still unaware how to deal with the foreign tourists. "We've given top priority to personal hygiene, catering safe food and water and providing quality services to both local and foreign tourists," he said. BTB CEO said around 50 participants including rickshaw pullers, souvenir sellers, owners of hotels and restaurants, labourers, local residents, local government representatives and security personnel will take part in the training workshop. Local people of respective tourist destinations would be given a better idea so that they can help tourists by providing them with all sorts of information regarding the tourist spots, he added.