ATAB Democratic Front unveils manifesto at election campaign meeting
The ATAB Democratic Front on Tuesday held a campaign meeting in the Fakirapul, Paltan and Bijoynagar areas of the capital ahead of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) election for the 2026–2028 term, scheduled to be held on July 25.
The meeting, attended by a large number of ATAB members, focused on the panel’s election manifesto and its plans to build a more dynamic, modern and member-friendly association.
Addressing the gathering, former ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref said his previous committee had worked to ensure that all travel agencies could conduct business directly with airlines and enjoy equal business opportunities. He urged members to vote for the ASM Ibrahim–Shafiqullah Nantu panel to continue what he described as their unfinished initiatives.
Former ATAB Secretary General Afasia Jannat Saleh highlighted the activities undertaken during the 2024–2025 committee. She said the committee had taken steps to curb anonymous ticket bookings and combat ticket syndicates by engaging with the government. According to her, these efforts led to resistance from vested interests, which eventually disrupted the committee’s work.
Several speakers praised the previous efforts of the Aref-Afasia Parishad to protect the interests and dignity of travel agents. Hayatun Nabi Majumdar of Global Aviation called on members to elect the ATAB Democratic Front to continue those initiatives.
Former ATAB Secretary General Jinnur Ahmed Chowdhury Dipu stressed the need to improve the business environment for travel agencies through stronger legal protection. He also called for clear policies governing online travel agencies (OTAs), tougher action against ticket syndicates and measures to eliminate artificial market manipulation.
Nurul Alam of Aerodrome International said the panel would work through negotiations with airlines to abolish the deportee charge imposed on travel agencies and take effective steps to prevent excessive ticket discounts offered through bank credit card promotions.
Finance Secretary candidate Golam Azam Saikat and Public Relations Secretary candidate Khorshed Alam pledged to implement the panel’s proposed programmes if elected. They also urged the Ministry of Commerce’s Administrator, Election Board and Appeal Board to ensure a transparent, fair and lawful election process.
Cultural Secretary candidate Mahmudul Alam Siddiqui said the panel would work to ensure equal business opportunities for all ATAB members in providing visa-related services in cooperation with VFS Global.
Speaking at the event, Secretary General candidate Shafiqullah Nantu sought the support of members and announced plans to organise an international travel fair and an annual overseas familiarisation (FAM) tour for members and their families. He urged voters to assess candidates based on their past contributions to the organisation.
In his concluding remarks, presidential candidate ASM Ibrahim outlined the panel’s vision of transforming ATAB into a technology-driven and member-oriented organisation. He pledged to introduce a group life and health insurance scheme worth Tk 500,000 for members and their families.
He also announced plans to accelerate the process of upgrading the ATAB Training Institute (ATTI) into a university under the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA) and to establish new ATTI branches in Chattogram and Sylhet.
The panel appealed to ATAB members to cast their votes on July 25 in favour of experienced and competent leadership, saying it was committed to serving the interests of the country’s travel agency sector.
The meeting concluded with enthusiastic participation from members, who expressed their support for the panel’s election campaign.