BSS, Dhaka :
The World Tourism Day (WTD) was celebrated in the capital with high aspiration to attract one million tourists next year, declared as tourism year.
“I urge all to cooperate with the government’s ‘visit Bangladesh – 2016’ campaign to attract one million foreign tourists next year, which was half a million last year,” he said after leading a colourful rally marking the day in the capital. This year, the WTD is being celebrated under the theme “One billion tourists, one billion opportunities”, set by the United Nations, to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
The theme is particularly relevant as the international community adopted the post- 2015 agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where tourism has been identified as a sector that “creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.
Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), the country’s National Tourism Organization (NTO) observed the day arranging different programmes including the rally. Rashed Khan Menon led the rally from Matsya Bhaban and paraded up to TSC of Dhaka University while members of the tourist society of Dhaka University made it lively by wearing traditional customs and carrying different folklore gears.
The newly formed tourist police escorted the rally that was participated by different public and private tourism organizations including the BTB, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), Tour Operators’ Associations of Bangladesh (TOAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB). After the rally, Menon said this year’s tourism day carries an extra significance for Bangladesh as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently declared 2016 as Tourism Year and launched ‘Visit Bangladesh 2016’ campaign targeting to attract one million foreign tourists.
The Minister said the tourism year campaign will be kicked off by organizing a beach carnival at the country’s most exciting tourist spot Cox’s Bazar on 31st December this year.
“It will be our kick off programme, after that a series of activities will be carried out through the year to attract both foreign and domestic tourists,” he said.
He said, the government will celebrate historic days like International Language Day, Independence Day, Bengali New Year and Victory Day of 2016 in a tourist friendly way to make the campaign a success. Centering the tourism year, Menon said the government will organize a two-day international conference titled ‘National Buddhist Workshop and International Buddhist Circuit Conference’ with participation of 13 Buddhist populated countries in the capital from October 27 aiming at showcasing the Bangladesh Buddhist heritages to the foreigners.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BTB Akhtaruzzaman Khan Kabir coordinated the rally while Chairman of BPC Dr Aparup Chawdhury was present. After the parade, the minister also inaugurated a cycle rally of Bangladeshi Cycle Tourist Community at TSC marking the day.
A total of 10 cyclists of the community under supervision of the BTB will carry out a cross-country from the country’s Northwestern end Bangla Bandha to Southeastern end Shah Porir Island from October 2 to 24 as part of the pre-campaign of tourism year.
In the afternoon, thousands of people enjoyed a traditional boat race at the scenic Hatirjheel lake at the heart of the capital visibly intensifying the ongoing Eid holiday festivity. The BTB grabbed the limelight of the day staging the boat race in collaboration with private Bangladesh Rowing Federation.
Four rowing boats each having 20 rowers joined the race. Apart from the boat race, four decorated horse driven carriages roamed around the Hatirjheel thoroughfares playing folk music in loudspeakers as part of the tourism awareness campaign.
President Abdul Hamid and the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages marking the day.
The President in his message acknowledged tourism to have a major stake in the national development and urged all concerned to develop a sustainable tourism industry in the country.
The Prime Minister, on the other hand, urged the private sector to supplement the government efforts to make the ‘Visit Bangladesh 2016’ campaign a success for the development and expansion of tourism industry.
The World Tourism Day (WTD) was celebrated in the capital with high aspiration to attract one million tourists next year, declared as tourism year.
“I urge all to cooperate with the government’s ‘visit Bangladesh – 2016’ campaign to attract one million foreign tourists next year, which was half a million last year,” he said after leading a colourful rally marking the day in the capital. This year, the WTD is being celebrated under the theme “One billion tourists, one billion opportunities”, set by the United Nations, to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
The theme is particularly relevant as the international community adopted the post- 2015 agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where tourism has been identified as a sector that “creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.
Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), the country’s National Tourism Organization (NTO) observed the day arranging different programmes including the rally. Rashed Khan Menon led the rally from Matsya Bhaban and paraded up to TSC of Dhaka University while members of the tourist society of Dhaka University made it lively by wearing traditional customs and carrying different folklore gears.
The newly formed tourist police escorted the rally that was participated by different public and private tourism organizations including the BTB, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), Tour Operators’ Associations of Bangladesh (TOAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB). After the rally, Menon said this year’s tourism day carries an extra significance for Bangladesh as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently declared 2016 as Tourism Year and launched ‘Visit Bangladesh 2016’ campaign targeting to attract one million foreign tourists.
The Minister said the tourism year campaign will be kicked off by organizing a beach carnival at the country’s most exciting tourist spot Cox’s Bazar on 31st December this year.
“It will be our kick off programme, after that a series of activities will be carried out through the year to attract both foreign and domestic tourists,” he said.
He said, the government will celebrate historic days like International Language Day, Independence Day, Bengali New Year and Victory Day of 2016 in a tourist friendly way to make the campaign a success. Centering the tourism year, Menon said the government will organize a two-day international conference titled ‘National Buddhist Workshop and International Buddhist Circuit Conference’ with participation of 13 Buddhist populated countries in the capital from October 27 aiming at showcasing the Bangladesh Buddhist heritages to the foreigners.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BTB Akhtaruzzaman Khan Kabir coordinated the rally while Chairman of BPC Dr Aparup Chawdhury was present. After the parade, the minister also inaugurated a cycle rally of Bangladeshi Cycle Tourist Community at TSC marking the day.
A total of 10 cyclists of the community under supervision of the BTB will carry out a cross-country from the country’s Northwestern end Bangla Bandha to Southeastern end Shah Porir Island from October 2 to 24 as part of the pre-campaign of tourism year.
In the afternoon, thousands of people enjoyed a traditional boat race at the scenic Hatirjheel lake at the heart of the capital visibly intensifying the ongoing Eid holiday festivity. The BTB grabbed the limelight of the day staging the boat race in collaboration with private Bangladesh Rowing Federation.
Four rowing boats each having 20 rowers joined the race. Apart from the boat race, four decorated horse driven carriages roamed around the Hatirjheel thoroughfares playing folk music in loudspeakers as part of the tourism awareness campaign.
President Abdul Hamid and the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages marking the day.
The President in his message acknowledged tourism to have a major stake in the national development and urged all concerned to develop a sustainable tourism industry in the country.
The Prime Minister, on the other hand, urged the private sector to supplement the government efforts to make the ‘Visit Bangladesh 2016’ campaign a success for the development and expansion of tourism industry.
