Tourism
Bangladesh, Mauritius highlight collaboration on pharmaceutical, tourism, IT sectors
Bangladesh and Mauritius will collaborate on potential areas to boost trade and investment to elevate bilateral ties.
Both sides particularly mentioned the pharmaceutical, tourism and IT sectors.
Also read: Romania to send Consular team to Dhaka for 3 months
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, now on an official visit from February 13-15 February, paid a courtesy call on Mauritius Foreign Minister Alan Ganoo and his counterpart Haymandoyal Dillum where the whole gamut of bilateral issues was discussed.
Rangamati UP polls: Bar on Sajek tourism on Feb 6,7
Baghaichari upazila administration in Rangamati has restricted tourism at Sajek Valley on February 6 and 7 ahead of the seventh phase Union Parishad elections.
“As Sajek Union Parishad election is set to be held on February 7 all kinds of vehicle movement except those to be used for election purpose will remain suspended in the area and tourist movement will also remain halted. The resort owners' association has been asked to shut the cottages and resorts in Sajek for the two days,” said Shariful Islam, Baghaichari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
READ: 2 killed in JSS-UPDF gunfight in Rangamati
To avoid any kind of risk and unwanted situation centering the polls the administration has taken the decision, he said.
Jerry Lusai,Generel Secretary of Sajek Cottage Owners' Association, said they have received a notice from the administration in this regard on Friday and directed the owners under the association accordingly.
READ: JSS leader shot dead in Rangamati
Elections are set to be held in some Union Parishads of the three upazilas in Rangamati district on February 7.
India’s tourism gets a huge push at Expo 2020 Dubai
India’s Tourism Fortnight at EXPO2020 Dubai concluded yesterday with the sector highlighting the country’s core strengths across different areas of tourism including medical, luxury, adventure, sustainability and MICE, reports Gulf News.
Inaugurated on January 3 by Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the inaugural session highlighted the new policy framework by the Ministry of Tourism and unveiled five missions that will boost growth in the sector. The Tourism Sector Floor at the India Pavilion showcased the various facets highlighting India as a tourism destination and the growth potential across different kinds of tourism.
Read: India reports 258,089 new COVID-19 cases
The five missions included were National Green Tourism Mission, to mainstream sustainability in the tourism sector; National Digital Tourism Mission, to digitalise the sector; Sectoral Mission on skill development to ensure that the country has the best trained and qualified manpower to maintain high standards of service; National Mission on Destination Management to focus on ensuring synergy and coordination amongst public and private stakeholders and National Mission on Tourism MSMEs to support and facilitate the start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises.
The inaugural session was also attended by Hoor Al Khaja, Associate Vice President, International Operations – Department of Economy and Tourism of Dubai, where she talked about India’s importance as a global tourist destination.
The Tourism Fortnight comprised various sessions which were presided over by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and various Indian states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir among others.
Medical tourism
The session on medical tourism was crucial in highlighting India’s strengths and the ability of the country to offer both modern and traditional systems of medicines, thereby, providing a holistic healing destination across the world.
The session on luxury tourism focused on showcasing the changing face of luxury tourism in India, luxury tourist destinations across the country and initiatives taken by the Government to make travel safe and secure.
The session on spiritual tourism highlighted the opportunities and potential for India to become a hub for spiritual and religious tourism, as the country offers vast cultural and religious diversity.
The session on MICE tourism was also pivotal in showcasing India’s impressive combination of accommodation and conference support facilities that make the country a successful MICE destination globally.
Read: India extends ban on political rallies till Jan 22
As a part of World Majlis event, Off the Beaten Path - Travel in the 21st Century, held on January 13, Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, talked about the ways in which the tourism sector in India is evolving.
Given the growing importance of sustainable tourism, the session on sustainable tourism was crucial to address key challenges for the tourism sector and the ways in which the future of tourism can be shaped by sustainable and responsible policies and action by the governments and private sector.
The sessions held during the ‘Tourism Fortnight’ were crucial in showcasing India’s geographical diversity, potential as a tourist destination and highlighting India’s roadmap for the sector.
Guliakhali Sea Beach declared as reserved tourism zone
Guliakhali Sea Beach, a little-known sea beach located at Sitakundu upazila in Chattogram, has been decalred as a reserved area for tourism.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism announced 259.10 acres of land of the beach under Khas Land Account-1 protected for tourism.
A notification signed by Deputy Secretary of the ministry Shyamoli Nobi was issued in this regard on Monday as per the President’s order.
Development of tourism in the beach area is being hampered and affected because of unplanned establishments and other projects, says the notification.
Also read: Security concern hits Cox’s Bazar tourism hard
Security concern hits Cox’s Bazar tourism hard
Though the authorities concerned are looking for every way to beef up security to prevent unpleasant activities in the beach town, tourists have largely ignored it to visit during the New Year as some recent incidents badly tarnished its image as a safe tourism destination.
“Cox’s Bazar usually sees a surge of tourists on the eve of New Year every year but this year it was almost empty. Restrictions on outdoor events and recent rape incidents and skyrocketing food prices might be the reasons,” said Mahbubr Rahman, a physical teacher of a local school.
Hotel, motel and restaurant owners and those involved in tourism support services are now worried over the fall in the number of tourists during the peak season.
Also read: Cox's Bazar horror: Woman kidnapped & raped by 3 in front of husband & child
They said 50% of rooms in many hotels and motels were vacant during the New Year celebrations.
In the wake of some unwanted activities, law enforcement agencies have taken various steps to ensure the security of tourists while the local administration has set up a monitoring cell following the outcry of people over two rape incidents in the tourist hub recently.
Salahuddin Setu, councillor of Cox’s Bazar municipality, said, “Some 350 big tourist buses had been kept ready in designated parking spaces during the 3-day government holiday starting from December 16, while 250 tourists vehicles were there at local Ilias Mia High School ground to deal with the pressure of tourists. Once 700 buses, carrying tourists, used to arrive in Cox’s Bazar at this time of the year, but this time the number was 50 only, a sharp fall in tourist arrival.”
Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair 2022 begins on Feb 3
The three-day 10th Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2022 will begin on February 3 this year at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital.
Tour operators, travel agents, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, resorts, amusement parks and transport companies from home and abroad will participate in the international fair.
Due to the Covid-19 situation, the participation of foreigners will be limited this year.
READ: New year brings more canceled flights for air travelers
However, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Eastern Himalayan Travel and Tour Operators' Association, Association of Buddhist Tour Operators and tour operators and travel agents from India, the Maldives, the UAE, Turkey, and Sri Lanka have confirmed their participation in this year's fair.
There will be 130 stalls, including 12 pavilions and 16 semi-pavilions at the fair.
Visitors will be able to enter the fair every day from 10am to 8pm with a Tk30 entry fee; students can enter it for free by showing their identity cards. A raffle draw will be held using the entrance tickets.
Toab Director (Trade and Fair) Md Anwar Hossain said, "We have taken initiatives to make this year's fair more make fair more attractive and exciting."
"On the sidelines of the fair, there will be business-to-business (B2B) sessions, seminars, roundtable discussions, country presentations, cultural events, and raffle draws."
Toab President Md Rafeuzzaman said: "The BTTF is the largest and most popular tourism fair in Bangladesh. It did not take place in the last two years due to the pandemic. We hope that the BTTF 2022 will help the Covid-hit tourism industry of Bangladesh rebound."
READ: Travel literature: Uday Hakim gets Songsoptok Sahitya Award 2021
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali is expected to inaugurate the fair.
Toab has been organising the annual international fair since 2007.
Solo Female Travel: Top 10 Safest Countries for Women for Traveling Alone
With the advancement of civilization, women are also showing enthusiasm in solo traveling. The number of solo female travelers has risen exponentially in recent years. However, due to the pandemic the female wanderlusts are confined in their homes for the last two years. As many countries are reopening tourism after the pandemic, many solo female travelers are planning their trips. If you are planning a post-pandemic trip, where should you go? Let's check out some safe destinations for solo female trips.
Most Safest Female Solo Travel Destinations around the World
We have collected the top 10 safest countries for women to travel alone. It is not a list of the most luxurious places to visit, but it will give you some peace of mind as you embark on your adventure. Consider these destinations as places to visit and as safe as any other country in the world. We have picked the countries based on the Women Danger Index by World Population Review as well as the countries that offer quarantine free movement for international tourists in this pandemic.
Spain
According to World Population Review’s Women Danger Index, Spain is the safest country for solo female travelers with 212.04, while the highest score is 771.82 in South Africa. In Spain, being alone can give a female traveler many opportunities to explore and learn about different cultures and have great doors open because no one is curious about whether or not your boyfriend will be joining the trip.
Read Visit Sundarbans: World's Largest Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh
Spain is a country that welcomes tourists with its vibrant culture, romantic architecture, and impeccable Mediterranean cuisine. Explore the highlights of a Spanish vacation, from museums and historic sites to music and wine festivals, here. Further, you may also enjoy the Spanish cuisine as it is as varied as its culture.
Singapore
Next comes Singapore, with a 245.26 score. Singapore is a great place for traveling alone, and it is also the safest country in Asia when it comes to women’s freedom of movement. Nevertheless, the crime rate in Singapore is quite low, and the public transport system is reliable and safe.
Read Visit Saint Martin, Coral Island, Bangladesh: Piece of Paradise on Bay of Bengal
Best Winter Travel Destinations 2022: Spend your vacation with sun and fun
Many people are afraid of traveling during the winter months. They think that it is too cold and will not have as much fun on their holiday. On top of that, the Covid-19 pandemic is out there too! However, there are still many amazing places to visit from Bangladesh during this time of year! This article will discuss some top destinations where you can travel without quarantine during winter for an unforgettable experience!
Top Winter Travel Destinations around the World
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a beautiful and diverse country with plenty to see and do. The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from December to March when the weather is cooler, although this is also the high season, so it tends to be more expensive. Sri Lanka has some amazing places to enjoy, such as the artificial beach in Colombo, exploring the ancient city of Anuradhapura, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, stunning architecture, and temples of Sigiriya, and more. Sri Lanka is also flexible about Covid-19 restrictions. The visitor should be vaccinated or have to show a Covid-19 negative report.
Read The 10 Cheapest Cities to Live in for 2022
Bhutan
Since Bangladeshi don't require a visa to visit Bhutan, it can be an easy travel destination during the surge of Omicron. Bhutan is a small country, but its beauty cannot be expressed in words. It houses some of the most beautiful sights in the world, such as Thimphu Dzong, Taktsang Monastery, Dochula Pass, Buddha Dordenma, Chele La, Punakha Dzong, and more. As for the travels, restrictions vaccination or a covid-19 negative report is enough.
USA
America has finally opened the border for all. The USA is a top travel destination for anyone globally as the country is big with 50 states and travelers cannot even visit all the places in their lifetime. If you can comply with US immigration regulations, then a fully vaccinated traveler from anywhere in the world can now visit America without fear of quarantine.
Read 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World in 2021
Maldives
The Maldives is a rich country with abundant marine life and beautiful white sandy beaches. The country is well known for its luxury resorts scattered all over the islands. Further, it is a popular tourist destination and is often called the "Island Paradise." A fully vaccinated person can visit the Maldives from Bangladesh without any hassle of quarantine. The country also requires a PCR test before the 96 hours of departure.
Tourist police ensure safe tourism: IGP
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.
READ: IGP urges the rich to help the Covid-hit poor people
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.
READ: Strictly maintain health rules during shopping: IGP
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.
Najmun Nahar Shohagi: Bangladeshi globe trotter aims to travel 200 countries
While many girls and women of Bangladesh are facing challenges in diverse sectors like education, employment, basic rights, security, etc, a proud daughter of the country shocked the world with her amazing bravery. Najmun Nahar finally enlisted 150 countries to her profile by setting foot on Saotome and Principe, the riverine countries in Central Africa on October 6, 2021. It took her 21 years to set this world record. In a word, Najmun Nahar, a woman of determination and intelligence, is a real-life model to women in Bangladesh. This article is based on the story of her travels.
Najmun Nahar belongs to Bangladesh
Najmun Nahar was born on 12 December 1979 in the village of Gangapur in the Laxmipur district of Chittagong. Father Mohammad Amin, who died in 2010, was a businessman. Mother Tahera Amin was the traveling companion of Najmun in 14 countries. Najmun is the youngest of eight siblings. She is known as Shohagi to the family.
Read Bangladeshi globetrotter Najmun Nahar makes history with 150th country-visit
She completed her secondary and higher secondary education at Laxmipur town. Then she did her graduation and post-graduation in political science from Rajshahi University. Later, she came to Dhaka and worked as a journalist in an entertainment newspaper for a while. She moved to Sweden in 2006 after receiving a scholarship for higher education. There she earned a master's degree in Asian Studies from Lund University. She also studied human rights and Asia at Seoul National University in South Korea.
During her career, she has worked as a researcher on research projects at various international organizations. Besides, she was a volunteer in the Bangladesh Girls Guide Association from 1997 to 2011.
Being unmarried, this strong and dignified woman dares to move forward to fulfill her dream of visiting the world. Not to mention, the continuous success stories of this 41-year-old traveler brings limitless praises for her motherland and elevated the status of the country to a new altitude.
Read: Dream-chasing Najmun Nahar recognised by Fobana
The Backdrop of Najmun Nahar becoming a world traveler
Najmun’s Grandfather Alhaj Maulvi Ahmed Ullah, an Islamic Scholar, was also a traveler. Najmun used to amaze by listening to the stories of her father’s Middle East journey. From school life the dream of traveling the world began to take root in her mind by travel books of local and foreign writers including Syed Mujtaba Ali.
Along with this, the inspiration came from her late father and siblings. As a result, she has got ample opportunity to develop her talent from adolescence. And this talent allowed her to travel to different parts of the country.
The first chance to set foot outside the country came while studying at Rajshahi University. A team led by her from Bangladesh Girls Guide Association was sent to an international adventure program in India. The conference of 80 Girl Guide Associations and Scouts of the world was held in Panchmari, Madhya Pradesh.
Read: Visit Niladri Lake, Sunamganj: A Piece of Kashmir in Bangladesh
Najmun used to travel to a new country with whatever savings she could make from the part-time jobs. She had to work very hard to save the extra money to fulfill her traveling enthusiasm. On some days, she used to work from 17 to 18 hours straight. Najmun always kept a close eye on foreign travel and accommodation at a low cost.
During her higher education in Sweden, Najmun sailed to Finland with a few months' savings. And from then on her regular country tour started.