TOAB Election Campaign Heats Up as Agragami Oikkojot Hosts Sufi Night
Ahead of the upcoming Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) elections for the 2026–2028 term, the TOAB Agragami Oikkojot panel has intensified its campaign activities through a series of member engagement events.
On Saturday, the alliance organized a “Sufi Night” at Jonaki Convention Hall in the capital, where popular artists performed in a festive atmosphere. During the event, presidential candidate Dr. Md. Taslim Amin Shovon introduced the candidates contesting under the Agragami Oikkojot panel.
The event aimed to facilitate direct interaction with TOAB members, present the panel’s future plans, and strengthen ties within the organization. Entrepreneurs from various segments of the tourism industry, TOAB members, and other stakeholders attended the program.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Taslim Amin Shovon said Bangladesh’s tourism industry is operating in a rapidly evolving environment that requires stronger institutional support. He stressed the need to make TOAB more effective and responsive in addressing international competition, digital transformation, skilled workforce development, and sustainable tourism growth.
Speakers emphasized the importance of organizational modernization, expanded member services, enhanced business capacity for tour operators, increased training opportunities, and the development of young leadership. They also highlighted commitments to promoting Bangladesh’s tourism sector internationally, strengthening policy advocacy, adopting technology-driven management systems, and safeguarding members’ interests.
The candidates pledged to build a stronger, more transparent, accountable, and member-friendly organization where members’ opinions would play a central role in decision-making.
Among those who addressed the program were First Vice President candidate Syed Shafat Uddin Ahmed Tamal, Vice President-2 candidate Sheikh Kamruzzaman Rony, Director (Finance) candidate Sabur Islam, Director (International Affairs) candidate Md. Samiul Hasan, Director (Trade and Fairs) candidate Shoaib Bin Noor, Director (Legal Affairs) candidate Md. Hafizur Rahman Khan, Director (Printing and Publication) candidate Mohammad Shahadat Rashid, Director (Training and Research) candidate Mehedi Hasan, Director (Culture and Sports) candidate Md. Nihar Sarwar Ayan, Director (Member and Human Welfare) candidate Osman Gani, Director (Property and Assets) candidate Faisal Alam Chowdhury (Raju), and Director candidate Md. Misbah Ur Rahman.
The candidates exchanged greetings with voters and pledged to work collectively for the development of TOAB and the protection of the interests of Bangladesh’s tourism industry if elected. They underscored the importance of organizational unity and prioritizing the collective interests of members over individual considerations.
Several prominent tourism sector leaders and organizers also attended the event, including TOAB founding member and former president Faridul Haque, TOAB founding member and BOTOA President Syed Golam Mohammad Badsha, former TOAB Director (Trade and Fair) and founding president of BD Inbound Rezaul Ekram, Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh (TDAB) Adviser Syed Habib Ali, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Director and ISC Chairman Mohiuddin Helal, former TOAB Vice President and PATA Bangladesh Chapter General Secretary Toufique Rahman, and TGAB President Syed Mahbubul Islam Bulu.
Founded in 1992, the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) is the apex trade body representing the country’s tour operators and tourism businesses.
TOAB members will head to the polls on June 16 next to elect a new executive committee for the 2026–2028 term. The contest pits the incumbent Conscious-Reliance Forum against the opposition Agrogamee Okkyiojot (Advance United Alliance).