National Tourism Authority to be set up by July
FE Report | Monday, 16 June 2008
The government is planning to set up a 'National Tourism Authority' by July this year to develop the country's potential tourism sector.
"This will be an independent and autonomous body," said Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Jamil at a round table on Saturday night.
The report recommending the establishment of such an independent authority has already been submitted," he said speaking at the roundtable on "Immediate Need for the Development of Bangladesh Tourism" at a city hotel. A meeting is scheduled to be held with the major stakeholders of the tourism sector tomorrow (Tuesday), he added.
"Following the meeting, a law ratifying the establishment of an independent and autonomous National Tourism Authority for the development of tourism sector in the country is expected to be enacted by the next month," Mahbub Jamil affirmed.
He also informed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has taken proactive steps to facilitate two lucrative investment proposals in Cox's Bazar tourism which could be a real boost for one of the major tourist hubs of the country.
Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is going to invest around US$ 1.5 to 2.0 billion for the development of tourism in the Sonadia island of Cox' Bazar, Mahbub said. On the other hand, he said, China is also likely to invest around US$ 2.0 billion in Cox's Bazar tourism including the development of its airport because of its sea beach's proximity from the southwestern provinces of that country.
Citing examples of some other countries, he also focused on the need for better coordination between the tourism and cultural sector under a single ministry.
Expressing an optimistic view about the country's tourism prospect, Mahbub Jamil said if necessary measures are implemented, the number of tourists visiting the country can reach two million within two years.
Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Syed Mohammad Zobaer, Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs Abdul Karim, Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Shafique Alam Mehdi and Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines M A Momen also addressed the occasion.
Earlier the speakers outlined the need for establishing an independent national tourism organisation as well as the product development and country branding for tourism in line with 'Incredible India' and 'Malaysia Truly Asia'.
Raquib Siddiqi, Chief Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor presented the keynote paper while Abed Khan, Editor of the daily Samakal moderated the discussion.
The discussants also stressed on exploring different facades of tourism sector like ecotourism, religious tourism and transit tourism utilising the nature, history, tradition, geographical advantage and cultural heritage of the country.
They also pointed at the need for simplifying the visa processing for the tourists visiting Bangladesh and identified the 8.0 million non-resident Bangladeshis living overseas as potential clients for such tourism.
Managing Director of GMG Airlines Shahab Sattar, Chairman of Best Air Ltd M Haider Uzzaman, Executive Director of Centre for Development Communication Mohammad Jahangir and Area Manager of Emirates Bangladesh Hanif Jakaria also spoke in the meeting.
"This will be an independent and autonomous body," said Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Jamil at a round table on Saturday night.
The report recommending the establishment of such an independent authority has already been submitted," he said speaking at the roundtable on "Immediate Need for the Development of Bangladesh Tourism" at a city hotel. A meeting is scheduled to be held with the major stakeholders of the tourism sector tomorrow (Tuesday), he added.
"Following the meeting, a law ratifying the establishment of an independent and autonomous National Tourism Authority for the development of tourism sector in the country is expected to be enacted by the next month," Mahbub Jamil affirmed.
He also informed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has taken proactive steps to facilitate two lucrative investment proposals in Cox's Bazar tourism which could be a real boost for one of the major tourist hubs of the country.
Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is going to invest around US$ 1.5 to 2.0 billion for the development of tourism in the Sonadia island of Cox' Bazar, Mahbub said. On the other hand, he said, China is also likely to invest around US$ 2.0 billion in Cox's Bazar tourism including the development of its airport because of its sea beach's proximity from the southwestern provinces of that country.
Citing examples of some other countries, he also focused on the need for better coordination between the tourism and cultural sector under a single ministry.
Expressing an optimistic view about the country's tourism prospect, Mahbub Jamil said if necessary measures are implemented, the number of tourists visiting the country can reach two million within two years.
Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Syed Mohammad Zobaer, Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs Abdul Karim, Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Shafique Alam Mehdi and Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines M A Momen also addressed the occasion.
Earlier the speakers outlined the need for establishing an independent national tourism organisation as well as the product development and country branding for tourism in line with 'Incredible India' and 'Malaysia Truly Asia'.
Raquib Siddiqi, Chief Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor presented the keynote paper while Abed Khan, Editor of the daily Samakal moderated the discussion.
The discussants also stressed on exploring different facades of tourism sector like ecotourism, religious tourism and transit tourism utilising the nature, history, tradition, geographical advantage and cultural heritage of the country.
They also pointed at the need for simplifying the visa processing for the tourists visiting Bangladesh and identified the 8.0 million non-resident Bangladeshis living overseas as potential clients for such tourism.
Managing Director of GMG Airlines Shahab Sattar, Chairman of Best Air Ltd M Haider Uzzaman, Executive Director of Centre for Development Communication Mohammad Jahangir and Area Manager of Emirates Bangladesh Hanif Jakaria also spoke in the meeting.