3-day int'l tourism fair to begin Thursday

The country's largest international tourism fair titled 9th Biman Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2019 will begin in the capital on Thursday with participation of 10 countries including host Bangladesh.President M Abdul Hamid will inaugurate the fair as the chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) while state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali will be present as the special guest.

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the apex body of tourism in Bangladesh is organizing the fair in association with Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Bangladesh Tourism Board, FBCCI, Tourist Police and PATA Bangladesh Chapter with title sponsor of national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd.

Around 140 foreign exhibitors like tour operators, airlines, hotels, and resorts from Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Philippines and the Maldives along with local Bangladeshi tourism service providers will display their various services at 160 stalls and 15 pavilions during the fair.These were revealed at a press conference at Hotel Intercontinental in the city yesterday.

Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Dr. Bhubon Chandra Biswas, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Director Shahadat Hossain, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Manager Commercial Saleh Narul, TOAB President Taufiq Uddin Ahmed and First Vice President Md Rafeuzzaman spoke at the press conference.

TOAB Director Taufiq Rahman moderated the conference while director (Trade & Fair) Md Taslim Amin Shovon described about the facts and preparation of the fair.They said the main objective of BTTF is to expedite, promote and develop tourism sector in Bangladesh as it will cater unique opportunity for the whole travel trade and hospitality industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and abreast with the latest development in the industry.

Apart from the private sector, Tourism Ministry of India, High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Tour Operators Association of Assam (TOAA), Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators Association (EHTTOA), Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO), Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Tourism Council of Bhutan and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau have confirmed their participation in BTTF 2019. On the sidelines of the fair, a number of seminars, round-table discussions, country presentations in various subject of tourism will be held.

The topics of two round table discussions are "Buddhist Circuit Tourism in the Region" and "1000 Years History and Heritage of Dhaka".The A2i programme will also organize a brainstorming session on "Innovative Digital Idea of Tourism" in collaboration with the TOAB.Tourism Ministry of India will give a country presentation while cultural events will be staged by Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Philippines.

Besides, B2B Session between TOAB Members and foreign exhibitors will be held on the second day of the fair.The fair will remain open from 10 am to 9 pm every day.