World Tourism Day to usher in week of events aimed at boosting sector
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has announced a weeklong programme from 27 September to 3 October to mark “World Tourism Day 2026”, with a focus on digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape Bangladesh’s tourism sector.
The programme will feature a rally, bicycle rally, city tour, stakeholder meetings, diplomatic engagement, exhibitions, a seminar on AI and tourism, and the launch of the first Bangladesh Tourism Award. This year’s global theme for the day is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
The programme details were shared at a press briefing organised by the ministry at the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) office in Dhaka on September26.
The ministry’s Secretary Fahmida Akhtar, BTB Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqi, and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman were present. The corporation will also arrange a live cooking show and undertake various promotional activities to highlight Bangladesh’s tourism attractions.
Faruqi outlined the weeklong events centred on World Tourism Day and said the celebrations would bring together public and private stakeholders to highlight Bangladesh’s tourism potential and explore how technology can support the sector.
The celebrations will begin tomorrow (27 September) with a rally at the administrative area of Parjatan Bhaban in Agargaon at 9am.
A bicycle rally will follow at 9:30am, while Parjatan Corporation will organise a free city tour at 9:40am for underprivileged children, allowing them to visit tourist attractions including Lalbagh Fort, the July Memorial Museum and the Military Museum.
Shamimuzzaman announced that Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation will also offer a 54% discount on accommodation at all of its hotels and motels for one day to mark World Tourism Day.
On 28 September, the BTB will hold an exchange-of-views meeting with tourism stakeholders at Parjatan Bhaban to discuss the development of the tourism industry. A separate meeting with diplomats from key tourism source countries will be held at the same venue on 30 September.
The session will focus on cooperation and promoting inbound tourism to Bangladesh.
The main World Tourism Day programme will be held on 3 October at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
The event will feature 12 thematic exhibition stalls showcasing Bangladesh’s traditional culture, cuisine, GI products, handicrafts, handloom and textiles, ethnic heritage, and tourist destinations.
AI-based demonstrations will also showcase tourism experiences, including virtual visits to destinations, virtual time travel, and destination photography.
A seminar, titled “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, will begin at 3pm, featuring a keynote presentation on the theme and addresses from government officials and tourism-sector representatives.
A major feature of the programme will be the launch of the Bangladesh Tourism Award 2026, being introduced to recognise contributions to the country’s tourism industry.
The awards will be given in 13 categories, covering areas including sustainable tourism, service quality, innovation, digital transformation, community engagement, women and youth entrepreneurship, and preservation of the environment and cultural heritage.
The weeklong celebrations have been prepared in coordination with the Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Tourist Police, government agencies, hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agents, amusement park associations, universities, district administrations, and destination-based tourism stakeholders.