'More govt initiative needed to promote tourism'

They also called for more private investment for the growth of this potential sector.

The press briefing was organised to mark the concluding function of the four-day-long Bangladesh Tourism Fair-2005 which began on December 15 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

Speaking on the occasion TOAB President Faridul Haque said if the government develops necessary infrastructure tourism sector will boom rapidly contributing significantly to the national economy.

"Immense potentials and prospects lie in Bangladesh's tourism sector as the country is blessed with its natural beauty and many archaeological sites," he said, adding that if the government pays due attention to develop the sector and co-operates with private tour operators, the per capita income would increase 10 times in next 10 years.

He alleged that the Parjatan Corporation is not co-operating with the private tour operators and the National Tourism Council set up in1992 held only two meetings with them during this long time.

BHGHOA President Sadique Ahsan said earnings from tourism sector have increased significantly with the increase of domestic tourists.

He termed as very poor the external publicity campaign of the government in the field of tourism.

He also criticised the government for not paying due attention to the development of tourism industry and said the government did not allocate any fund in the fiscal years 2004-05 and 2005-06 for tourism sector.

Managing Director of Universal Consultant Limited Atique Md Shamsuzzoha said the next fair will be held in Dhaka and Chittagong in September next year.

This year's fair was organised by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation to help promote tourism and encourage private companies to get involved in this sector.

The co-organisers of the fair were Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) and Bangladesh Hotels and Guest House Owners' Association (BHGHOA) while the daily Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, ATN Bangla and SKYbd were the media partners.

Universal Media was the event manager.

More than 20 thousand visitors came to the fair which was participated by 58 organisations. A total of 80 stalls and five pavilions were set up in the venue.

Different private tour operators and food and beverages companies including Tommy Miah's Institute of Hospitality Management, guesthouses, one stop service providers, airliners including the Kuwait Airways, boutique shops, fashion houses, leather shops, international institutions on hotel and hospitality management, and jewellery shops took part in the fair.