The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has taken an initiative to observe 'World Tourism Day 2022' in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world on Tuesday. This year's theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’ is set by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages marking the day. In his message, the President said every region of this country has distinct beauty and numerous unique tourist and heritage sites. If the tourism industry develops in these regions, employment opportunities will be created for a large number of people, which will become an important regulator in the development of the people's living standards and the development of the economy. Read: Sundarbans to have 4 more eco-tourism centres “We celebrate the ‘World Tourism Day' every year to create awareness about the social, cultural, political and economic importance of tourism as well as to inform everyone about the contribution of tourism in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and the national economy,” he said. The president urged all the public and private stakeholders to carry out development activities in the tourism industry maintaining and preserving the environmental balance and the cultural heritage of the country. In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged to work together for the development and evolution of tourism and build hunger-poverty-free Golden Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation by effectively portraying the country's tourism industry in the world forum.

As the flow of tourists keeps increasing with the improvement of the Covid-19 situation in the country, the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) will join hands in Cox's Bazar beach cleanup Monday to mark World Tourism Day. ATJFB President Nadira Kiron and General Secretary Tanzim Anwar will lead the forum members in encouraging everyone to keep the beach neat and clean. The pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) – the UN agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Read: World Tourism Day: President, PM stress collective effort for development of tourism sector Both developed and developing economies have been hit; marginalised groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all, said the UN agency. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly, it added. The UNWTO has designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on tourism for inclusive growth. Read: World Tourism Day: Govts urged to support digital technologies This is an opportunity to look beyond tourism statistics and acknowledge that, behind every number, there is a person, said the UN agency. The UNWTO invited its member states, as well as non-members, sister UN agencies, businesses and individuals to celebrate tourism's unique ability to ensure that nobody is left behind as the world begins to open up again and look to the future. World Tourism Day, celebrated each year on September 27, is the global observance day fostering awareness of tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bangladesh as well as other countries across the world is all set to celebrate the World Tourism Day on Sunday at a time when the contagious coronavirus is wreaking havoc on humans.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for focusing on tourism’s importance for people living in rural areas, so they can deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals to leave nobody behind. 

Islamic University, Sept 28 (UNB) - The World Tourism Day was observed at the Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia on Saturday amid festivity and much enthusiasm. 

Dhaka, Sept 27 (UNB) - Speakers on Friday urged the government and stakeholders to create more employment by utilising the country’s tourism spots.