Tourism fair kicks off with flurry of offers

Bringing all travel-related services under one roof, the three-day Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair has begun today at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center, offering a range of attractive packages to travellers.

More than 120 local and international agencies are showcasing their products and services across about 220 stalls and 20 pavilions.

Participants include national tourism boards, airlines, tour operators, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers and other tourism-related enterprises.

Tourism boards and associations from Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan are taking part in the thirteenth edition of the event, alongside representatives from the Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Turkey.

Throughout the fair, exhibitors are offering discounts and promotional deals on everything from air tickets and hotel bookings to domestic and international tour packages.

The Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (Toab), the apex body representing the country's tourism industry, has organised the event.

It was inaugurated by Lutfe Siddiqi, special envoy to the chief adviser on international affairs, with Toab President Md Rafeuzzaman presiding over the ceremony.

With winter approaching, a season when many plan both local and overseas trips, visitors said the fair marks the start of their long-awaited holiday season.

For example, real estate businessman Abu Saleh Md Musa came to the fair to explore family tour packages.

"Usually, we look up tour operators online," he said. "But this fair gives us the chance to compare so many packages and deals face-to-face; it feels more real."

Otithi, a tourism initiative by BRAC, is offering visitors a Tk 1,000 discount on bookings made at the fair with an initial payment of Tk 1,500.

The platform promotes community-based tourism, encouraging visitors to explore both the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Bangladesh.

"Beyond showcasing historical and cultural treasures, we offer travellers a glimpse of Bangladesh's beautiful landscapes and encourage deeper connections with local communities," said Asaduzzaman Rabbi, an official of Otithi.

He added that the platform arranges trips to community-based destinations such as Sreemangal, Rajshahi, Madhupur, Bogura, Paharpur in Naogaon and Natore's Zamindari estates, with packages ranging from Tk 3,500 to Tk 40,000.

However, several exhibitors and visitors expressed concern over political uncertainty ahead of the national election scheduled for February next year. Besides, restrictions on popular tourist destinations, such as Saint Martin's Island, have also caused fears of a business slowdown.

"We do not know what might happen during the election period. Any instability could create serious obstacles for the tourism industry," said Tahmid Ahmed, senior executive of Trip Silo.

The travel planner, which caters to 350 to 500 visitors during the fair, is offering up to 50 percent discounts on its packages.

At the inauguration, Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi said, "Tourism is one of the key sectors for employment generation in Bangladesh. Many other sectors are being transformed by technology and artificial intelligence, but tourism remains a people-centred service industry."

"Look at countries like Singapore; even without significant heritage assets, they are attracting a huge number of tourists. We should think along those lines," he added.

In his concluding remarks, Toab President Md Rafeuzzaman said Bangladesh needs to introduce an e-visa system instead of the current on-arrival visa process to attract more foreign tourists.

"In addition, if amusement parks, hotels, resorts, vehicles and other tourism-related equipment could be brought under a low-tax regime, the sector would expand further," he added.