RDA, Tourism Board sign MoU to promote rural tourism in northern districts

The Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura, and the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly promote sustainable and community-based tourism in northern Bangladesh.

The agreement was signed on June 23 to support the development of rural tourism and strengthen local economic opportunities in the region, says a press release.

Under the partnership, RDA's Rural Eco-Tourism Programme has received formal institutional recognition, with both organisations working to expand village-based tourism, promote local entrepreneurship, generate employment for young people and support community-led economic development.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Abdul Majid Pramanik, director general of RDA, Bogura, and Abdur Rouf, chief executive officer and additional secretary of the Bangladesh Tourism Board.

The project concept and strategic framework were presented by Dr. Macksood Alom Khan, focal person of the Rural Eco-Tourism Programme.

A key component of the initiative is the development of a tourism brand titled "Expedition North" (Uttarabhijan), which will promote northern Bangladesh's natural landscapes, cultural heritage, agricultural traditions and rural lifestyle to domestic and international visitors.

According to the organisers, the initiative places local communities at the centre of tourism development to encourage sustainable and inclusive growth.

Research and development organisation DAAHUK is serving as the external advisory and implementation partner for the programme. Magfi Reza Siddique, founder and director of DAAHUK, attended the signing ceremony and shared the programme's long-term vision and implementation strategy.

Senior officials from both organisations, project stakeholders and development practitioners also attended the event.

According to the organisers, the initiative is expected to support tourism development while contributing to rural livelihoods, cultural heritage preservation, youth employment and local economic growth across northern Bangladesh.