Finance Minister AHM Musatafa Kamal has declared an incentive package of Tk 1,000 crore to help the tourism industry to recover from the pandemic losses. In his budget speech in Parliament on Thursday, the minister said the country’s tourism industry was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said 10 government-funded projects are under implementation for the development of potential areas for tourism in Bangladesh. Also read: Budget FY23: Women, children get higher allocation Besides, the government has taken steps to set up Sabrang Tourism Park, Naf Tourism Park, and Sonadia Eco-Tourism Park in Cox’s Bazar district with international standards accommodation and recreational facilities to enrich the tourism sector. “To achieve economic prosperity through the development and growth of tourism, steps are being taken for the physical infrastructure development and beautification of the tourist areas of different districts and upazilas by branding 36 districts having tourism potential,” said Kamal. Documentaries and television commercials are being prepared featuring Bangabandhu’s contribution to the development of the tourism industry and for the preservation of the attractive spots where there are precious memories of the Liberation War, he added.

A well-calibrated action agenda for the tourism sector can serve as a great tool to diversify not only the foreign currency earning capability but also the productive capability of the country’s economy, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said. "I believe that we can twin tourism with the tenets of solid economic relocation for innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives from around the globe to Bangladesh," he said. The Foreign Minister highlighted the country’s sustainable economic diversification and promoted the distinct Bangladeshi tea brand in Dubai, UAE while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Explore Mujib’s Bangladesh: A Hidden Gem of Tourism in South Asia” held at the Bangladesh Pavilion of EXPO 2020 Dubai on Saturday. The seminar was arranged by Bangladesh Tourism Board, an organization which is responsible for ameliorating tourism of Bangladesh, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Dr Momen mentioned the importance of transforming tourism’s immense potential into a unique brand of the country’s enchanting natural beauty that has been unexplored and unknown by global tourists. Read:Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to build prosperous future for all: FM The Foreign Minister focused on the environment friendly tourism industry so that it becomes sustainable one. Stating from a report of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Dr Momen said only 3 percent of total tourists visits Bangladesh per year are foreigners and rest 97 percent is from local origin. Addressing as a special guest in the seminar, Md. Mokammel Hossain, Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, opined that successful implementation of ongoing mega projects will bring new doorway to the tourism sector of the country. He also revealed the plan of constructing exclusive tourism, ocean tourism, theme park etc to attract foreign tourists to our country. Read: FM to visit UAE from Feb 10-13 to attend series of events Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Abu Zafar, Ambassador of Bangladesh to UAE, among others, were present.

Tourist spots and recreational centres at Cox's Bazar including the beach, have fallen silent as a result of the closure of all tourist attractions in the face of the second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak. No tourists who are already there are allowed to enter the beach. The beach shops were also closed due to lack of tourists. However, hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants and shopping malls have been kept open on the condition of complying with hygiene rules. Tourists staying in Cox's Bazar have also started returning. Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner and President of the  District Corona Infection Prevention Committee Md. Mamunur Rashid said a directive from the tourism ministry reached the district administration on Thursday (April 1st) regarding closure of tourist spots.   Also read: Tourism suspended in Sundarbans till Apr 15 According to the directive, all tourist spots and entertainment centers including Cox's Bazar beach would be closed till April 14.   The district administration, tourist police and other concerned people would take actions as per the instructions of the government. Tourists were not allowed to enter the beach after receiving instructions from the ministry, said  Mamunur. Besides, all kinds of tourism related businesses including beach recreation umbrellas (kitkats), beach-bikes and jetskis had been shut down. The patrol of the tourist police had been intensified to keep a watch on the tourist centers including the beaches, concluded the Deputy Commissioner. Nur Mohammad Rabbi, manager of Seagull Hotel said that advance room bookings at hotel, motels were  being canceled due to the ban imposed on tourism. Also read: Covid 19: Movement of tourist ships on Teknaf-St Martin's route suspended Assistant Superintendent of Tourist Police Cox's Bazar Zone Chowdhury Mizanuzzaman said no one was allowed to enter the beach.  Besides, all the shops near the beach had been closed. Cox's Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Amin Al Parvez said, "A temporary shutdown has been declared to prevent public gatherings. Tourist spots, including the beach, will be reopened if the Corona situation returns to normal." Earlier on April 1, the Cox's Bazar district administration had announced closure of all recreational centres in the district including the sea beach until April 14. Moreover, the movement of tourist ships from Cox's Bazar to St.Martin's Island would also remain suspended during this period.

Saudi investors are keen to invest around US$5 billion in various sectors in Bangladesh, the kingdom's ambassador to Dhaka has said.

Revenue loss in the international tourism sector in 2020 caused by a decrease in travelers crossing borders is estimated at $1.3 trillion, on the back of strict travel bans imposed by countries amid the coronavirus pandemic, a U.N. body said.

Bangladesh’s tourism will be hugely benefited with the plantation of one crore trees in the Mujib Year as it will boost the country’s greeneries, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mohammad Mahbub Ali on Tuesday.

UN chief António Guterres has everyone to promote sustainability and green growth in managing the shift towards a resilient, carbon-neutral tourism sector calling it “one of the world’s most important economic sectors”.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said on Sunday that work is underway to develop tourism facilities in historic Mujibnagar.