Tourism traders want e-visa
To attract foreign tourists, the entrepreneurs of the tourism sector have demanded the introduction of one-stop service for tourists, including the introduction of e-visa and on-arrival visa.
The traders made this demand in the fourth meeting of the Standing Committee on Tourism Development (Inbound, Outbound, Domestic and Civil Aviation) of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). This meeting was held on Tuesday in the hybrid model.
While speaking as the chief guest at the event, FBCCI president Md. Jasim Uddin said, 'Bangladesh's tourism industry is a very important and promising sector. A few days ago, a report by HSBC said that by the year 2030, Bangladesh will become the ninth largest consumer market in the world. People's living standards are improving; the country's economy is growing. In this context the tourism industry has also become more important.'
The FBCCI President said that the Prime Minister has given special importance to the tourism sector. As a part of this, various infrastructural development works are going on focusing on the tourism of Cox's Bazar.
He said, 'The inauguration of Padma Bridge has brought new possibilities to the tourism industry of Bangladesh. After the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the number of tourists in the south-western part of the country has increased significantly.
He also said that many sectors will dominate the three-day Bangladesh Business Summit exhibition to be held in March this year on the occasion of FBCCI's 50th anniversary, tourism being one of them.
Vice President of FBCCI Md. Amin Helali said, apart from attracting foreigners to the tourism sector in Bangladesh, it is also a big market for the country's large population. To ensure the discipline of this potential sector, the participation of all public and private sectors including tourism related associations is essential.
The director in charge of the committee MGR Nasir Majumdar commented that the Prime Minister has paid special attention to the development of the tourism sector.
The meeting was attended by FBCCI Director Syed Moazzem Hossain, Private Aviation and Tourism Ministry Deputy Secretary Sanjida Sharmin, Standing Committee Chairman Toufiq Uddin Ahmed, Co-Chairman Shiblul Azam Korayshi, Maulana Yakub Sharafati, Syed Golam Qadir and others.
