Planned, sustainable tourism needed to tap Bangladesh’s potential: CHT minister
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue on Saturday stressed develop a planned, sustainable, safe and environment-friendly tourism system to harness the vast potential of Bangladesh’s tourism sector.
He put the emphasis while addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026 as the chief guest at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital, said a press release.
Highlighting the tourism potential of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the minister said local communities should be directly involved in tourism development so that they can benefit from the sector.
Simultaneously, it is crucial to enhance mutual coordination among all relevant ministries and agencies regarding environmental protection and the development of tourism infrastructure.
Prue said the hills, forests, lakes and waterfalls of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari, along with the diverse cultures of different ethnic communities, offer immense opportunities for developing eco-tourism, cultural tourism and adventure tourism.
Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Fahmida Akhtar attended the closing ceremony as the guest of honour.
Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Md Shamimuzzaman and Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board Barrister Mutasim Billah Farooqi spoke as special guests.
They praised the success of this year’s fair and highlighted the importance of increasing domestic and foreign investment in the tourism sector.
Chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair and editor of Parjatan Bichitra Mohiuddin Helal, in his closing assessment, said tourism develops through partnership and mutual understanding.
“This fair was not merely an exhibition of products; it was an effective business networking platform,” he said.
Fair Director Borhan Uddin gave vote of thanks at the event.
At this year’s fair, attractive packages offered by domestic and foreign tour operators, airlines and hotels and resorts, along with special discounts on air tickets, drew considerable response from visitors. Various B2B meetings, panel discussions and cultural programmes were also held during the fair.
Bangladesh Biman Airlines was the title sponsor of this year’s fair.
At the closing ceremony, it was announced that the next (14th) Asian Tourism Fair would be held in Dhaka from September 23 to 25 in 2027.