Menon for increasing connectivity with regional states to promote tourism

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon called upon the foreign affairs ministry Thursday to take necessary steps to increase connectivity with the regional countries to boost up the country's tourism sector.
Referring to Dhaka declaration on SAARC tourism promotion and formation of South Asian Tourism Forum with various stakeholders of the participating countries in the 5th Bangladesh International Tourism Fair (BITF) 2015, the minister said Bangladesh has not yet been developed as the single destination source.
"As part of our planning, I think increasing connectivity among the regional countries is important. The foreign ministry can play a vital role to this effect", said Mr Menon.
"Bangladesh has not yet been developed as the single destination for the tourists and we also do not want to say that. We would be happy if the tourists who visit India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan come once in Bangladesh at that time," said the minister.
Keeping this in mind, the government has declared 2016 as Tourism Year when the country expects a tourist flow of one million surpassing the 0.5 million last year, he added.
Mr Menon was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of BITF at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. Tourism minister of Tripura Ratan Bhowmik was present as the guest of honour and tourism secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury as special guest. BFTD chairman Hakim Ali chaired the inaugural session.
Various hotels, motels, tour companies, 55 airlines and tourism organisations of 15 countries have been participating at 135 stalls of the fair. Organised by Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development (BFTD), the three-day fair will end on May 23.
Mr Menon said there are lots of Buddhist relics and heritage in Bangladesh that can be of interest to the tourists from Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and even Cambodia.
He said although the prime minister has declared tourism as a thrust sector, its development depends on the role of private sector as tour operators are the people who bring in tourists.
Referring to the present turmoil in various countries and regions, Ratan Bhowmik said various countries are at the cross road when the stability and harmony of every nation are threatened and tourism is the only area that can bring all together.
Indian government has been promoting tourism in a massive scale with all -out support of the states, said the Tripura minister, adding: tourism has been declared industry in Tripura.
Hakim Ali said everywhere there is negative thinking about Bangladesh. But this fair will be an example for the people. Tourism is ignored in the SAARC, he said.
"As part of promoting tourism year 2016, we invite all foreign people to visit Bangladesh," said the veteran business leader. He called upon the government to make the visa procedure free for the foreign visitors.
msshova@gmail.com