FE Report
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Friday said the government is placing importance on campaign to boost earnings from the country's tourism industry.
"Bangladesh is a beautiful country. Tourism industry might emerge as one of the major sources of earnings," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of an international tourism fair.
But to materialise it, the country needs proper campaigning to attract tourists, he said
He was speaking at the fair, organised jointly by Tour Operators' Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) and Eastern Bank Limited.
The three-day fair titled Bangladesh Tourism and Travel Fair (BTTF-2014) being held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre to promote the country's tourism sector.
Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir and EBL senior official Nazim A Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the function, chaired by TOAB president Toufiq Uddin Ahmed.
The minister said the government has formed a National Tourism Council (NTC) to help flourish the country's tourism industry as it has many things to offer to overseas tourists.
He said the Prime Minister herself is very interested to see the development of the tourism industry by making best utilisation of potential and the NTC is already formed headed by Sheikh Hasina.
"Tourism sector plays an important role in the world economy. We need to give the sector due importance," he said.
The Commerce Minister mentioned that the earnings from the tourism industry stood at Tk 8.3 billion last year, which was 2.1 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product).
"This year it will be 7.7 percent," he said.
He expressed the hope that the number of tourists would increase in the country if adequate facilities are ensured for them in line with global standard.
Expressing satisfaction over the growth of economy, Tofail said the country's economy is moving forward and the tourism industry can contribute a lot to the economy if all stakeholders work sincerely.
BTB CEO Akhtaruzzaman sought duty free vehicle import for the tour operators.
