Country needs separate ministry for tourism: Ctg Mayor

Chattogram : Bangladesh requires a separate and dedicated tourism ministry to further harness the country's tourism potential. The industry can be the fourth largest contributor to the national GDP, given that necessary policy and infrastructure support are provided.

Dr Shahadat Hossain, Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation, said this as the chief guest, while formally inaugurating the fifteenth edition of the three-day Chattogram tourism fair at The Peninsula Chittagong hotel on May 15. 

Titled as Chittagong Travel Mart (CTM) 2025, the fair was organized by The Bangladesh Monitor. Leading private sector airline US-Bangla Airlines and the popular online travel agency Buy Tickets supported the fair as partners.

"The Chittagong City Corporation is currently working to develop and promote new tourism products of the port city," informed the Mayor, urging the concerned authorities to upgrade Chattogram airport to facilitate the development of the sector further. 

Huge crowd of visitors seen during the fair (above) and raffle draw winners seen with prizes at the event (bottom) 

MA Malek, special guest and Editor of the Dainik Azadi; Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor, The Bangladesh Monitor; Uttam Prasad Pathak, Police Superintendent, Chattogram Tourist Police; and Md Kamrul Islam, General Manager, US-Bangla Airlines; also addressed the inaugural ceremony.

In his speech, MA Malek, Editor of Dainik Azadi, said, "Tourism is the biggest peace industry of the world. About 35 crore people are involved in this trade worldwide. Hence, the sector needs much attention, support, and promotion. I commend The Bangladesh Monitor for arranging such a platform for over a decade now that promotes the industry to visitors at home and abroad as well as brings attention of the concerned authorities to this sector for further development."

Uttam Prasad Pathak, Police Superintendent, Chattogram Tourist Police, while addressing the ceremony, said, "Tourist Police is a unique and specialized organization formed to support tourism. However, unfortunately, there are over 1000 tourist spots across the country, yet only 1394 staff of tourist police. This makes it very challenging to ensure safety and security of tourists in all the destinations of the country. Therefore, we urge the government to support us by increasing our manpower so that we can better ensure the safety and security of our tourists across all destinations in Bangladesh."

Distinguished guests visiting the stalls at the three-day fair in port city

Speaking on the occasion, Kamrul Islam, General Manager-Public Relations, US-Bangla Airlines, said, "US-Bangla, for 11 years now, has always supported initiatives that promote Bangladesh's travel industry-a sector that urgently requires policy support from the government to sustain. Besides supporting such initiatives like this fair, US-Bangla is also adding two new aircraft-A330 and ATR 72-600-to its already existing 24 aircraft fleet, in an effort to fly to better facilitate domestic travelers as well as international travelers. The airline also aims to fly to all the destinations in the world where Bangladeshi expatriates reside."  

"Twenty-seven organizations including airlines, tour operators, hotels, resorts, online travel agencies, hospitals and healthcare service providers, immigration solution companies, and other travel and tourism-related service providers from home and abroad showcased their products and services in 34 stalls at the Chittagong Travel Mart," informed Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor, The Bangladesh Monitor, during his address.

Participating organizations offered exciting discounts on air tickets, tour packages, medical packages, hotel rooms, and other tourism products and services for visitors.

Attractive raffle draw was held for visitors every day for the pre-registered visitors. Raffle prizes included return air tickets to international and domestic destinations, hotel and resort accommodation, among others.