Businessmen of the tourism sector expressed disappointment that the tourism sector is not in the list of the top ten sectors of Bangladesh, even though it has 100% value addition to the country’s economy including the payment of high VAT and tax. They urged for the government’s support in national and international branding besides increasing policy support for the development of this potential sector.
In the second meeting of the Standing Committee on Hotel, Motel, Resort and Guest House Development held at FBCCI on Tuesday morning, the businessmen said that the tourism industry in Bangladesh has developed. But the development is far behind compared to that of the neighboring countries. Businessmen believe that the tourism sector will be at the top of the country if government policy support increases.
Speaking as the chief guest FBCCI Vice President Md. Amin Helaly said, “Tourism sector has made a lot of progress in the past years. Modern facilities, equipment and technology are being used in our hotels, motels and resorts like developed countries. But still industry faces the lack of infrastructure, skilled manpower and transport facilities.” He mentioned that, tourism business owners should emphasize more on quality of service. He said, “Seven Sisters of India could be the potential market for Bangladesh’s tourism sector. He urged for taking integrated initiative to tie up with the tourists of Seven Sisters region.
Vice President Mr. M A Momen informed that the FBCCI is going to organize Bangladesh Business Summit on March, 2022 on the occasion of 50 years of establishment. International business communities, Govt. officials from several countries and Head of Development Partners will come to grace the occasion. He suggested the businessmen to use the event as a branding platform.
FBCCI Vice President and Director In-charge of the committee Md. Aminul Haque Shamim informed that every year about 110 crore people travel globally. Even Bangladeshi tourists also travel different countries. But we can’t attract foreign tourist. To expand the sector, he urges to provide duty free facility on import of tourist bus and other equipment.
The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the committee and President of Tourism Resort Industries Association of Bangladesh Khabir Uddin Ahmed.
FBCCI Director MGR Nasir Majumder, Hafez Harun, Abu Hussain Bhuiyan (Ranu), Akkas Mahmood, Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, Committee Co-Chairman Khandaker Ruhul Amin, AHM Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, Irfan Ahmed, Jalal Uddin Tipu and others also spoke in the meeting.
The speakers demanded the simplification of license or clearance, more development of communication system, bringing all tourism in the country under the license, government funding system for training of tourist guides.