16 individuals, organisations, initiatives honoured with tourism awards

The Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) has honoured 16 individuals, organisations and initiatives with the Bangladesh Tourism Award 2026 for their contributions to sustainable tourism, hospitality, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat attended the event as the chief guest.

The awards celebrate work that has strengthened the sector in areas ranging from service quality and digital promotion to community participation and heritage conservation, according to the Tourism Board.

The recipients in the accommodation and tour operator categories were InterContinental Dhaka (Best Five-Star Hotel), Hotel Agrabad (Best Four-Star Hotel) and HANSA Hotel (Best Three-Star Hotel).

Bengal Tours Limited won Best Inbound Tour Operator, while ShareTrip Ltd took Best Domestic Tour Operator. Charubala Homestay and Tours was named Best Homestay, and Fantasy Kingdom Complex won Best Amusement Park.

In the categories recognising innovation and entrepreneurship, Shakawath’s Six Control Point for Food Cost Optimisation received the Best Sustainable Tourism Initiative award.

Mahadi Hasan, chief executive officer of Bangladesh Eco Adventure, was named Best Young Tourism Entrepreneur, while Nurani Sharmin Afroz won Best Women Tourism Entrepreneur.

BD Tickets received the Best Tourism Technology Initiative award, Savor International Limited won Best MICE Initiative, and MV Malangi was named Best Tourist Vessel.

Individual awards went to Abu Mohammad Salahuddin for Best Tourism Content Creator and Md Sarowar Jahan for Best Tour Guide. Md Naym-Ul-Islam Abir was honoured in the Best Tourism Journalism category.

The Tourism Board handed out the awards at a ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka today as part of the celebrations of World Tourism Day 2026.

A jury board comprising government and private sector representatives selected the recipients from nominations across various categories.

Speaking as the chief guest, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government was ready to work with private-sector stakeholders under public-private partnership (PPP) and leasing models to develop the country’s 1,498 tourism spots.

He urged stakeholders to come forward with proposals for PPP projects and leasing arrangements, saying such initiatives would contribute to tourism development while also benefiting the government.

In his welcome address, Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqi said the board was working to take the country’s tourism sector to new heights and showcase its culture and natural beauty to the world.

He said the Bangladesh Tourism Award 2026 aimed to recognise and encourage entrepreneurs, innovators and content creators in the sector.

Greetings were also conveyed through video messages by UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Nasser Al Nuwais and Pacific Asia Travel Association Chief Executive Officer Noor Ahmed Hamid.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman, the chief of Tourist Police and other senior officials involved in the travel and tourism sector also spoke at the event.

The event was chaired by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akter.