World Tourism Day to be observed September 27

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FE Report Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) has planned a series of colourful programmes to celebrate the World Tourism Day on September 27 like elsewhere around the world with the theme of 'Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future'. "We will organise various programmes in Dhaka as well as at all prominent tourist spots across the country marking the day," BTB chief executive officer Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir told journalists at a press conference Sunday. He said the day's programmes will begin with a colourful rally. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan and Forest and Environment Minister Hasan Mahmud will lead the rally from Shahbag to National Press Club at 8.30 am. BTB will also celebrate the day by organising colourful rallies and discussion meetings on various aspects of tourism in different districts. The BTB CEO said the government has taken many initiatives, including carrying out international promotional campaigns and improvement of roads and airports, to attract more foreign tourists to the country. BTB will organise all the programmes under the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism with collaboration of all tourism-related stakeholders, including Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and different associations of tour operators, travel agents, and hotel and motel owners. BPC and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) will jointly hold a roundtable on this year's theme at Hotel Abakash at Mohakhali on the day. An open-air folk concert will be organised by Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) at Ramna Park at 6 pm. The government will award a special reception and give souvenirs to the foreign tourists, who will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport on the day. A debate competition on tourism will be held at TSC Cafeteria of Dhaka University with support from Dhaka University Tourist Society (DUTS) at 3 pm on September 26. BPC will organise a photo exhibition on tourist destinations at TSC on September 26-27. The national dailies will publish special supplements, while television and radio channels will broadcast various programmes marking the day.