Tourism industry has greart potentials to develop in Bangladesh, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed said on Thursday.

He was addressing as the chief guest at a seminar held at a local hotel in Cox's Bazar. The seminar was organised on the last day of the four-day colorful program to mark the 8th founding anniversary of the tourist police.

Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Kushtia Islamic University Prof Dr Md Mahbubul Arefin presented the keynote address at the seminar. Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board Jabed Ahmed and Vice Chancellor of Cox's Bazar International University Prof Dr Golam Kibria Bhuiyan were present as special guests in the seminar chaired by DIG of the Tourist Police Murshedul Anwar Khan. Among others, senior police officers, tour operators and city dignitaries also attended the programme.

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In his speech, the IGP said Bangladesh has beautiful natural environment, natural diversity and natural resources. Saint Martin's Island is such a beautiful place to visit. But tourists are discouraged from going there. “We think that we need to make sure that the natural environment of Saint Martin, the natural resources are not harmed by tourists. This is not to discourage tourists,” he added.

The top official of the Police force said that since the formation of Tourist Police, it has been working tirelessly for the last eight years to provide international standard security to tourists and to develop the tourism sector. Besides, tourists have been able to travel to different tourist spots of the country safely after its inception.

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It is to be mentioned that on the occasion of the 8th founding anniversary of the Tourist Police, a colorful program had been organized in Cox's Bazar from November 8.