World Tourism Day celebrated in Sajek Valley for first time
Dhaka: World Tourism Day 2026 was celebrated for the first time in Sajek Valley in Rangamati with a colorful program highlighting the area’s natural beauty, indigenous cultures, and tourism potential.
The event was organized by the Rangamati Hill District Council under the supervision of the Cottage and Resort Owners Association of Sajek, with support from the Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.
Local communities, tourism entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders participated in the celebrations.
The program began with a roadshow from Rangamati to Sajek, joined by the chairman and officials of the Rangamati Hill District Council and tourism stakeholders.
The formal inauguration took place through a balloon release, followed by a colorful procession from the Sajek entry point to Zero Point. Members of local communities participated in traditional attire, showcasing their cultural heritage.
The day's activities also included a cleanliness drive, a tree plantation program, the inauguration of a traditional food court, and a photography exhibition. The information website of the Cottage and Resort Owners Association of Sajek was also officially launched.
Dipon Talukder Dipu, Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council, attended the event as the chief guest.
Lt. Col. Md. Tarek-ul Imran, PSC, Zone Commander of Baghaichhari Zone and Chief Patron of the Cottage and Resort Owners Association of Sajek, and Advocate Mohammad Mamunur Rashid, General Secretary of Rangamati District BNP and a member of the Rangamati Hill District Council, attended as special guests.
Shashwata Chakma, the council member responsible for tourism affairs, and other invited guests were also present.
The event was chaired by Suparna Deb Barman, a member of the Rangamati Hill District Council and president of the Cottage and Resort Owners Association of Sajek.
A cultural program was held in the afternoon at the Sajek helipad, featuring local Lushai, Tripura, Chakma, and Marma artists.
As part of a cultural exchange tourism initiative, invited Manipuri artists also performed traditional dances and played the mridang, drawing particular attention from the audience.
Representatives of the media, tourism vloggers, influencers, and tourists attended the program.
The organizers said the event aimed to showcase Sajek's tourism potential by integrating its natural environment, cultural heritage, and traditions of local communities into tourism activities.
