United News of Bangladesh

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita on Monday said Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to ensure the safety and security of tourists across the country. She made the remarks while speaking to reporters after the first session of the second day of the DC Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The minister said discussions centered on renovating tourist destinations across districts,  identifying measures to attract more visitors and developing facilities in areas such as Monpura and Netrokona along with several other districts. “If tourism is developed properly, it will attract more visitors and help people learn more about the country,” she said. Afroza added that the ministry would extend full support in implementing proposals received from field-level administrations. Responding to a question, she said the issue of tourist safety was given importance during the discussions. “Instructions were also given to maintain cleanliness and improve management at Cox’s Bazar, particularly the beach area.” Replying to another query about Saint Martin's Island, the minister said the issue of seasonal restrictions on travel to the island was not discussed at the session. She said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is keen to transform tourism into a full-fledged industry, adding that both public and private sector participation is being encouraged. When asked about districts with airports, the minister said DCs highlighted the need for further development of Saidpur airport, noting that work has already begun in this regard. She added that initiatives have been taken to operationalise several airports including those in Thakurgaon and Bogura. Afroza Khanam said she is scheduled to visit Bogura on May 7 to assess prospects for establishing an airport and a flying academy there. “We want to set up a flying academy so that aspiring students including those from underprivileged backgrounds can receive training and become pilots,” she said.

The government has initiated a comprehensive feasibility study to assess the reopening of several closed and underutilised airports as part of a broader plan to strengthen domestic air connectivity and promote balanced regional development. Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam made the announcement in Parliament on Wednesday while responding to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker SM Jahangir Hossain, elected from Dhaka-18. Bangladesh currently has 17 airports and aviation facilities including international and domestic airports, navigation installations, Bangladesh Air Force-operated bases, and former Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) airfields, she said. Among them, three international airports — Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shah Amanat International Airport, and Osmani International Airport — handle both international and domestic flights. Five domestic airports — Saidpur Airport, Shah Makhdum Airport, Jashore Airport, Barishal Airport, and Cox's Bazar Airport — currently operate domestic flights only. Six STOL airports built during World War II — Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Ishwardi, Shamshernagar, Cumilla, and Patuakhali — which remain closed or underutilized, said the minister. She noted that although Cumilla Airport does not currently handle commercial flights, it still provides navigation services for international aircraft passing through Bangladeshi airspace. Meanwhile, Tejgaon Airport remains under the control of the Bangladesh Air Force and is not used for passenger operations. The government plans to build a nationwide air connectivity network by linking divisional and district towns through the development of small airports and airstrips, she said. “In response to public demand, initiatives have been taken to conduct feasibility study through local consulting firms to assess the viability of reopening closed airports,” the minister said. As part of this initiative, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has been assigned to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Bogura Airport. Officials say the move is expected to stimulate economic activity and support more balanced regional development across the country.

The government has initiated a ‘Tourism Mega Plan’ aimed at attracting 5.57 crore tourists and generating over 2.19 cr jobs by 2040, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told Parliament on Wednesday. "Under the mega plan, we have set a target to attract 5.57 crore tourists and create employment opportunities for 2.19 crore people by 2040," she said replying to a tabled starred question from BNP lawmaker AE Sultan Mahmud Babu (Jamalpur-2). Afroza Khanam stated that a series of initiatives are underway to encourage private investment and create new jobs within the sector. She noted that the ministry has adopted a comprehensive plan to promote entrepreneurship specifically encouraging women by facilitating access to low-interest loans and providing policy support in line with the government’s election manifesto. The government considers tourism a major driver of economic growth, she said, adding that the long-term ‘Tourism Mega Plan (2026–2040)’ will include a clear investment roadmap. The minister highlighted that the government is emphasizing public-private partnerships (PPP) to develop infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth. She also told the House that the National Tourism Policy is being updated in 2025 to increase sustainability and inclusivity. To support small and medium entrepreneurs, she said banks are already offering loans on easy terms, with plans to expand these facilities. Additionally, a One-Stop Service (OSS) will be introduced to assist both tourists and investors. Regarding capacity building, the minister said between FY 2021-22 and 2024-25, training was provided to 1,943 tour operators, 1,215 tour guides, 1,527 street food vendors, and 3,085 tourism volunteers. She added that the Bangladesh Tourism Board has formulated the ‘National Tourism Human Capital Development Strategy (2021–2030)’ to build a skilled workforce. Currently, about 51.9 lakh people are employed in the industry, a figure projected to rise to 72.8 lakh by 2030. Focusing on sustainable tourism, the minister said investment is being encouraged in eco-tourism and green infrastructure, particularly in Kuakata and coastal regions. Plans are also in place to expand community-based tourism to boost rural economies, she said. On women’s participation, she said initiatives are being taken to create a women-friendly environment in the hospitality sector and increase female workforce participation. Efforts are also underway to promote the festivals and handicrafts of small ethnic communities, she added. Regarding large-scale investment, the minister noted that private investment is being encouraged through the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to establish an Exclusive Tourist Zone (ETZ) at Sabrang in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Furthermore, projects on Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation land in Cox’s Bazar are being implemented via PPP.