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Dhaka: Lutfey Siddiqi, the chief adviser's special envoy on international affairs, has recommended the creation of a standalone Ministry of Tourism in Bangladesh, saying such a move could significantly boost employment and foreign currency earnings while improving service delivery across sectors.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Siddiqui said his recommendation to the next government would be to establish a dedicated tourism ministry and closely link it with culture, technology, and business. He stressed that a focused institutional approach to tourism could play a transformative role in the country’s economy.
Siddiqui noted that prioritizing the overall experience of tourists—rather than only physical destinations—would help drive improvements in related services and infrastructure. “Focusing on the tourist’s experience will push changes in other areas of service delivery,” he said.
Referring to his recent interactions at Davos, Siddiqui said Bangladesh could learn valuable lessons from countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, both of which recorded strong tourism growth in 2025. He highlighted how those countries have successfully crafted and marketed tourism experiences to global audiences.
He also acknowledged the guidance he received from Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, and Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al Mashat, who previously served as Egypt’s tourism minister.
According to Siddiqui, adopting similar strategic approaches could help Bangladesh unlock the full potential of its tourism sector, creating jobs, increasing foreign exchange earnings, and strengthening links between tourism, culture, technology, and business.
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