Experts Call For Coordinated Policy, Investment To Unlock Tourism Potential

(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor) Dhaka: Bangladesh needs stronger policy coordination, greater private-sector investment and improved infrastructure to unlock the tourism sector's potential, speakers said at the launch of the Travel and Tourism Development Centre (TTDC) in the capital on August 8.

The national platform, aimed at promoting sustainable growth in tourism, hospitality and aviation through public-private collaboration, was formally launched at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.

Speaking at a panel discussion following the launch, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), said Bangladesh needs a stronger global tourism brand.

He said the government has allocated funds for tourism promotion and recently discussed tourism strategies with the prime minister. A global firm will be selected to develop a tourism branding strategy for Bangladesh, he added.

Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said the government needs to move from policy formulation to implementation.

He noted that tourism involves around 18 ministries and called for greater coordination among them. Opening e-visas for tourists and simplifying business visa procedures should be priorities, he said.

Moazzem also called for reducing VAT on tourism businesses and said better tax compliance could create room for tax incentives.

Ashwani Nayar, area general manager of IHG Southwest Asia and cluster general manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport, said tourism contributes around 10 percent of global GDP, while Bangladesh's contribution is only about 3 percent.

He said Dhaka could face a shortage of hotel rooms once the country's third terminal becomes fully operational. Bangladesh needs around 7,000 additional hotel rooms in Dhaka, alongside more midscale, budget and upscale properties, he said.

Ahmed Yusuf Walid, president of Galaxy Group, urged the government to offer incentives to airlines and hotels similar to those provided to export-oriented industries.

He also highlighted shortages of skilled workers in aviation and hospitality, calling for more training institutions and internationally recognized aviation and hotel-management programs.

Speakers also stressed the importance of developing domestic tourism, attracting foreign investment and building stronger links between tourism, aviation and hospitality to make Bangladesh a more competitive destination.

Spread the word More from Events & ForumsView All Latest NewsSee All Spain, Italy reintroduce border checks amid dispute over migrationVisa and Travel Updates34 minutes ago Biman passengers describe 40-hour ordeal after Rome technical emergencyAirlines and Routesabout 1 hour ago Jet fuel prices jump more than 21pc in BangladeshAviation Business about 1 hour ago Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia expand air connectivity under new agreementAviationabout 2 hours ago Chinese cancer hospital highlights advanced treatment options in DhakaMedical Travelabout 2 hours ago Bangladesh, UK stress joint efforts to develop skilled workers, curb irregular migrationNRB Connectabout 20 hours ago Experts call for coordinated policy, investment to unlock tourism potentialEvents & Forumsabout 23 hours ago Riyadh Air begins daily Dhaka flightsAirlines and Routesabout 24 hours ago Bangladesh Bank allows dollar remittances for overseas tour packagesVisa and Travel Updatesabout 24 hours ago Bangladesh urges Indonesia to retain VoA for BangladeshisVisa and Travel UpdatesAug 9, 2026 Biman's stranded Rome flight reaches DhakaAirlines and RoutesAug 9, 2026 US Ambassador explores Barishal's scenic waterways by boatNRB ConnectAug 9, 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Centre launched to drive Bangladesh's tourism growthTravel DiariesAug 8, 2026 Thailand to open suspicious checked bags without owners' presenceAirports and InfrastructureAug 8, 2026 Café Amazon enters Bangladesh with first outlet in DhakaRestaurantsAug 8, 2026 Biman flight to Toronto delayed after technical issue in RomeAirlines and RoutesAug 8, 2026 VIPs, CIPs must follow same airport security rules as others: MoCAT MinisterAirports and InfrastructureAug 6, 2026 Bangladeshi student joins North Pole expedition aboard Russian nuclear icebreakerTravel DiariesAug 6, 2026 Malaysia introduces stricter hiking rules amid rescue operation riseTourismAug 6, 2026 Malaysia Airlines, JDT FC extend partnershipLife & StyleAug 6, 2026 Orbis Int'l, AirAsia partner to expand eye care access across APACBrand StoriesAug 6, 2026 Qatar Airways resumes Doha-Philadelphia routeAirlines and RoutesAug 6, 2026 Thai woman accuses Pakistani man of assault mid-flightAirlines and RoutesAug 6, 2026 Emirates, SAA expand codeshare partnershipAirlines and RoutesAug 6, 2026 Bangladesh Monitor Awards FIFA World Cup Quiz WinnersLife & StyleAug 6, 2026 Travelport, Egyptair sign new NDC content distribution dealTravel TechAug 6, 2026 Egypt plans USD 3.5bn Cairo Airport expansionAirports and InfrastructureAug 6, 2026 Trump unveils USD 22.5bn modernization plan for Washington AirportAirports and InfrastructureAug 6, 2026 Drone carrying explosive disrupts German airport, cargo plane damagedAviationAug 6, 2026 Wizz Air warns of weaker second-quarter revenueAviationAug 6, 2026 Da Nang tourism surge boosts Central Vietnam's golf tourism ambitionsTourismAug 6, 2026 Australia launches 10-year tourism strategyTourismAug 6, 2026 Global tourism investment tops USD 1tr in 2025: WTTCTourismAug 6, 2026 Prime Bank customers to receive Chery vehicle servicing benefitsLife & StyleAug 6, 2026 Cathay Group reports record first-half profitAviation Business Aug 6, 2026 Air India names former Ethiopian chief as new CEOAirlines and RoutesAug 5, 2026 Kuwait Airways offers 20% discount on all-inclusive summer packagesAirlines and RoutesAug 5, 2026 Riyadh Air debuts Mumbai flights, opens bookings for Pakistan, PhilippinesAirlines and RoutesAug 5, 2026 Saudi Arabia allows Bangladeshi workers to renew Iqama under new employerNRB ConnectAug 4, 2026 Turkish Airlines holds workshop on NDC platform in DhakaAviationAug 4, 2026 Former IATA head Willie Walsh takes charge as IndiGo CEOAirlines and RoutesAug 4, 2026 Ashwani Nayar wins Asia's most eminent GM award in SingaporeHotelsAug 4, 2026 Maldives, Ethiopia sign deal to launch direct flightsAirlines and RoutesAug 3, 2026 New Fujairah terminals to offer UAE alternative cargo routeCargo and LogisticsAug 3, 2026 IATA vows support to Bangladesh aviation, tourism developmentAviationAug 3, 2026 US Embassy warns travelers against relying on American public benefitsAdventure TrailsAug 3, 2026 Bangladesh seeks stronger IOM support to expand regular migration pathwaysNRB ConnectAug 3, 2026 New rail link planned to cut Dhaka-Chattogram travel timeCruise and RailAug 3, 2026 Govt eyes raising tourism's GDP contribution to 6-7pcTourismAug 3, 2026 Govt plans private water bus service in DhakaNRB ConnectAug 3, 2026 Most PopularSee All Bangladesh urges Indonesia to retain VoA for BangladeshisVisa and Travel UpdatesAug 9, 2026 Thai woman accuses Pakistani man of assault mid-flightAirlines and RoutesAug 6, 2026 BIHA executive committee takes charge for 2026–2028Events & ForumsAug 3, 2026 IATA vows support to Bangladesh aviation, tourism developmentAviationAug 3, 2026 Turkish Airlines holds workshop on NDC platform in DhakaAviationAug 4, 2026 Café Amazon enters Bangladesh with first outlet in DhakaRestaurantsAug 8, 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Centre launched to drive Bangladesh's tourism growthTravel DiariesAug 8, 2026 Maldives, Ethiopia sign deal to launch direct flightsAirlines and RoutesAug 3, 2026 VIPs, CIPs must follow same airport security rules as others: MoCAT MinisterAirports and InfrastructureAug 6, 2026 Air India names former Ethiopian chief as new CEOAirlines and RoutesAug 5, 2026 New rail link planned to cut Dhaka-Chattogram travel timeCruise and RailAug 3, 2026 New Fujairah terminals to offer UAE alternative cargo routeCargo and LogisticsAug 3, 2026 EBL cardholders to enjoy exclusive healthcare benefits at Ascent HealthBanking and FinanceAug 3, 2026 US Embassy warns travelers against relying on American public benefitsAdventure TrailsAug 3, 2026 Saudi Arabia allows Bangladeshi workers to renew Iqama under new employerNRB ConnectAug 4, 2026 AI boom reshapes Asia's air cargo as e-commerce demand slowsCargo and LogisticsAug 3, 2026 Ashwani Nayar wins Asia's most eminent GM award in SingaporeHotelsAug 4, 2026 BOESL, State Minister Shama discuss strategy to expand overseas employmentNRB ConnectAug 3, 2026 Govt eyes raising tourism's GDP contribution to 6-7pcTourismAug 3, 2026 Riyadh Air debuts Mumbai flights, opens bookings for Pakistan, PhilippinesAirlines and RoutesAug 5, 2026 Bangladesh Bank allows dollar remittances for overseas tour packagesVisa and Travel Updatesabout 24 hours ago Former IATA head Willie Walsh takes charge as IndiGo CEOAirlines and RoutesAug 4, 2026 Bangladeshi student joins North Pole expedition aboard Russian nuclear icebreakerTravel DiariesAug 6, 2026 Bangladesh Monitor Awards FIFA World Cup Quiz WinnersLife & StyleAug 6, 2026 Govt plans private water bus service in DhakaNRB ConnectAug 3, 2026 Travelport, Egyptair sign new NDC content distribution dealTravel TechAug 6, 2026 Kuwait Airways offers 20% discount on all-inclusive summer packagesAirlines and RoutesAug 5, 2026 Egypt plans USD 3.5bn Cairo Airport expansionAirports and InfrastructureAug 6, 2026 Trump unveils USD 22.5bn modernization plan for Washington AirportAirports and InfrastructureAug 6, 2026 Bangladesh seeks stronger IOM support to expand regular migration pathwaysNRB ConnectAug 3, 2026 Riyadh Air begins daily Dhaka flightsAirlines and Routesabout 24 hours ago Biman flight to Toronto delayed after technical issue in RomeAirlines and RoutesAug 8, 2026 Experts call for coordinated policy, investment to unlock tourism potentialEvents & Forumsabout 23 hours ago Biman's stranded Rome flight reaches DhakaAirlines and RoutesAug 9, 2026 Orbis Int'l, AirAsia partner to expand eye care access across APACBrand StoriesAug 6, 2026 Tourism Minister orders strict action over Cox's Bazar parasailing deathTourismAug 3, 2026 Qatar Airways resumes Doha-Philadelphia routeAirlines and RoutesAug 6, 2026 Cathay Group reports record first-half profitAviation Business Aug 6, 2026 Global tourism investment tops USD 1tr in 2025: WTTCTourismAug 6, 2026 Wizz Air warns of weaker second-quarter revenueAviationAug 6, 2026 Thailand to open suspicious checked bags without owners' presenceAirports and InfrastructureAug 8, 2026 Drone carrying explosive disrupts German airport, cargo plane damagedAviationAug 6, 2026 Da Nang tourism surge boosts Central Vietnam's golf tourism ambitionsTourismAug 6, 2026 Prime Bank customers to receive Chery vehicle servicing benefitsLife & StyleAug 6, 2026 Emirates, SAA expand codeshare partnershipAirlines and RoutesAug 6, 2026 Malaysia Airlines, JDT FC extend partnershipLife & StyleAug 6, 2026 Australia launches 10-year tourism strategyTourismAug 6, 2026 Malaysia introduces stricter hiking rules amid rescue operation riseTourismAug 6, 2026 Bangladesh, UK stress joint efforts to develop skilled workers, curb irregular migrationNRB Connectabout 20 hours ago US Ambassador explores Barishal's scenic waterways by boatNRB ConnectAug 9, 2026

MENAFN10082026000163011034ID1111521451