The Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) has called for the establishment of a proper regulatory framework for the operation of online travel agency (OTA) businesses. The association also urged the blocking of foreign websites and APIs to prevent them from conducting illegal operations in Bangladesh.
At a press conference held on Saturday, October 19, at a hotel in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, ATAB presented a total of nine demands regarding the travel agency business and the current situation. Among the demands, the association emphasized the need to halt air ticket hoarding and syndicates, provide guidelines for group ticketing, and make it mandatory for tickets to display the agency’s name, contact phone number, and ticket price. They also called for an end to the illegal operations of unregistered fake agencies selling air tickets and travel-related services, along with urgent measures to combat money laundering.
Additionally, ATAB demanded the prohibition of boarding passengers who have purchased tickets from countries other than the origin and destination, believing this will help stop ticket sales and money laundering from third countries.
The association further called for an end to incentives given in exchange for collecting advance payments for air ticket sales.
They also requested guidance from the ministry to prevent travel agencies from advertising, displaying, and selling tickets at prices lower than the airlines’ base rates.
During the press conference, ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref read a written statement and responded to various questions from journalists. He was accompanied by Secretary General Afsia Jannat Saleh, Vice Presidents Mostafizur Rahman Hero and Mohammad Ziaur Rahman Khan Newaz, and Joint Secretary Atiqur Rahman, were present among others.
