Govt eyes 6-7pc GDP support from tourism 

The government aims at raising the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP to 6-7 per cent from the current level of around 3 per cent, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the opening of the Travel and Tourism Development Centre (TTDC) at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Saturday.

“Travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality must move forward together to take the country’s tourism sector to international standards,” Afroza said.

She said all government and private stakeholders involved in tourism must work together to increase the sector’s contribution to the economy.

The minister said the new platform would help stakeholders from the four sectors work together and support the development of tourism.

She also called for greater involvement of the private sector in the sustainable development of tourism.

“The government is ready to provide policy support and necessary assistance,” she said, urging tourism leaders and private-sector stakeholders to play a more active role in developing the sector.

Afroza said the country’s tourism sector had not seen significant development over the past 17 years.

The current government has taken steps to use the country’s tourism potential, she said.

Bangladesh can be established as an international tourist destination through joint efforts, the minister said. She also urged all stakeholders to play their roles responsibly alongside the government.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, TTDC President Kazi Wahidul Alam and Galaxy Group Chairman Ahmed Yusuf Walid were present at the programme.