- Bangladesh Eyes Smarter Future With AI-Driven Services |
- Dhaka’s air quality has been recorded ‘moderate’ on Saturday |
- Bailey bridge collapse disrupts direct Dhaka link to Chandpur |
- No role to play in Hasina presser, Not endorse what was said: Delhi |
- Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan sign ‘Mecca Joint Defense Agreement’ |
Govt Targets Doubling Tourism's GDP Contribution
The government aims to increase the tourism sector's contribution to Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP) from around 3% to 6-7%, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said on Saturday.
She said the government is working to bring the country's tourism industry up to international standards through coordinated development of the travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors.
"Currently, tourism contributes around 3% to the country's GDP. The government wants to increase this contribution to 6-7%," the minister said.
She made the remarks as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of the Travel and Tourism Development Center at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.
The minister said the four interconnected sectors need to work together to unlock Bangladesh's tourism potential and establish the country as an international tourism destination.
She said the newly launched platform could provide a forum for stakeholders from the travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors to coordinate efforts to develop the industry.
"Everyone involved in travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality needs to move forward together to take the country's tourism sector to international standards," she said.
Highlighting the private sector's role, Afroza Khanam urged tourism businesses and other stakeholders to take greater responsibility for developing the industry.
She said the government would provide policy support and other necessary assistance to promote sustainable growth in the sector.
The minister also criticised what she described as a lack of significant progress in tourism development over the past 17 years, saying the current government has taken initiatives to unlock the sector's potential.
She called for stronger cooperation between the government and private-sector stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and strengthen Bangladesh's position in the global tourism market.
Tourism industry leaders, stakeholders and invited guests attended the launching ceremony.