They made the call at a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club organised by Tourist Heaven Bangladesh Ltd marking the World Tourism Day.

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) observes the day every year on Sept 27 to create awareness among the global community on tourism and its contribution in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr Md Badruzzaman Bhuiyan, Chairman of Tourism and Hospitality Management Department of Dhaka University, read the keynote paper.

“The importance of eco-tourism is increasing with an estimated 900 million tourists roaming around the world. This number will increase to 1.6 billion by 2020,” Badruzzaman said, adding that Bangladesh’s tourism sector has a huge potential.

He said Bangladesh can change its economic position by utilising the tourism centers.

He urged the government to make a policy and sought realistic budget allocation for the tourism sector. He hoped that it will help eliminate unemployment and create more economic opportunities.

Prime Minister’s former media adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said tourism-friendly policy is needed to utilise the potential of the industry and improve the people’s living standard.

“We have to utilise the natural beauty [of the country] for a positive economic change. Stakeholders should come forward to improve the industry and create more employment,” he added.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Saban Mahmud, DU Tourism Department‘s Associate Professor Dr Santus Kumar Deb among others spoke at the programme with Jahangir Khan Babu in the chair.

Bangladesh is blessed with numerous tourism spots including Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar, the longest sea beach in the world, St Martin’s Island, Kuakata sea beach, Chattogram Hills Tracts, Haor, waterfalls and many historical places.