World-class tourism industry a priority in development plan: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said developing Bangladesh’s tourism industry into a modern, technology-driven, environment-friendly and world-class sector is one of the government’s priorities under its development plan.

In a message issued on Saturday ahead of World Tourism Day 2026, observed on September 27, the prime minister said tourism was not merely a means of recreation but an important avenue for employment, foreign exchange earnings, local economic development and promoting Bangladesh’s history, heritage, culture and natural beauty to the world.

The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism and Digital Transformation and AI for the Future”, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence, big data and smart technologies in making tourism services more accessible, safe and personalised while creating new employment opportunities.

Referring to the BNP’s election manifesto, Tarique said the government was working to fulfil its commitments to develop tourism as a modern and land-efficient service sector.

He said particular emphasis was being placed on preparing a national tourism master plan, modernising relevant laws and policies, and bringing structural reforms to tourism management.

As part of the initiatives, tourism clusters are being developed in more than 30 districts, focusing on the country’s history, culture and heritage. Community, eco, rural, culinary, river and coastal tourism will also be developed to connect local communities with the tourism economy.

He said modern hotels, entertainment centres and tourism attractions were being developed through public-private partnerships, while policy support and easier access to loans had been expanded for small and medium-sized tourism businesses and new tourism start-ups.

The prime minister said the government aimed to establish a comprehensive national air connectivity network by 2034 and turn Bangladesh into an important aviation hub in South and Southeast Asia.

He said improved connectivity would make it easier for international tourists to travel to Bangladesh, while expanding high-value-added, less land-intensive services such as hotels, restaurants and entertainment centres would help ensure the best use of limited land.

Tarique said the government expected the tourism industry to contribute to the national goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

He also stressed the need to ensure that tourism development remained compatible with environmental and heritage conservation, with emphasis on biodiversity protection, waste management and reducing carbon emissions in coastal and nature-based tourism.

He said the government wanted to develop Bangladesh into a safe, sustainable, technology-driven and world-class tourism destination through joint efforts by the government, private sector, local communities and young people.

The prime minister wished the success of all programmes organised to mark World Tourism Day 2026.

sks