Asian Tourism Fair underway in Dhaka, offering lucrative travel deals

The three-day Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) has begun at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital, featuring various opportunities and offers for domestic and international travel.

Hotels and resorts, tour operators, travel agents, airlines, and various government and private tourism organisations are participating in the fair. Participating organisations have announced various discounts and packages on travel and accommodation.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat inaugurated the fair on Thursday. The fair will remain open to visitors from 10am to 7pm every day until Saturday.

Tourism magazine Parjatan Bichitra has organised the fair being participated by various organisations from Thailand, Malaysia and Bhutan, along with the Embassy of Nepal.

A visit to the fair yesterday found that participating hotels and resorts are offering discounts of 20%, while air tickets are available at discounts of 15% to 20%. Various discounts and offers are also available on tour packages, entertainment centres and medical services abroad.

Various offers at hotels and resorts

A large number of visitors came to the fair on its first day yesterday despite the rain, seeking information about travel and tourism offers.

One of them was Mostafizur Rahman, a businessman from Dhanmondi in Dhaka. He said he came to the fair with his family to learn about various packages and discounts for trips to the Sundarbans.

Hotel Sea Pearl in Cox's Bazar has brought a 'three nights for the price of one night' offer to the fair. Under the offer, guests can stay for two additional nights free of charge after paying the rate for one night. Room rates at the hotel range from Tk 19,000 to Tk 200,000 per night, depending on the room category.

Hotel Sea Pearl representative Rahat Rahman said they were receiving a good response from visitors.

The government-run Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is offering a 20% discount at its 25 hotels and motels on the occasion of the fair.

Mayaban Eco Resort in the Sundarbans has brought various packages priced from Tk 3,500 to Tk 6,000, with a 20% discount.

Discounts on air tickets

Air Astra is offering a 20% discount on air tickets to various domestic destinations. Nahid Rumman, a marketing representative of the company, said the offer was receiving a good response for tickets to Cox's Bazar and Chattogram. The offer is also available on tickets to Sylhet and Saidpur.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced a 15% discount on tickets to seven international destinations, including Bangkok, Kolkata, Karachi and Delhi.

Abdul Qayyum, who works at a technology company, came to the fair from Uttara with his wife. He said he was planning to travel to China and had come to learn about various tour packages and tickets.

Offers for overseas travel

Participating organisations have also brought various packages for international travel.

Tourism Window has brought a two-night, three-day package for Kuala Lumpur. The package starts at Tk 15,000, excluding the ticket. The cost of the four-night package is Tk 28,000.

World City Travels has brought a five-night package for Kathmandu, including tickets. The package costs Tk 64,000 per person, including food.

Alongside travel, various organisations participating in the fair are also offering discounts at entertainment centres. Fantasy Kingdom is offering a 50% discount. Under its offer, visitors can enter the park and enjoy 12 rides for Tk 500. It also has another offer at the same price that includes entry and access to Water Kingdom.

Various packages and offers for medical treatment abroad are also available at the fair.

Some organisations are participating in the fair with offers to book ownership of various hotels that are being built or are under construction.

At the inaugural ceremony, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government, along with the private sector, investors, businesspeople, local communities and international partners, must work together to develop the country's tourism infrastructure, services, destinations and tourism products.

The minister stressed the importance of creating an investment-friendly environment in the tourism sector, developing skilled human resources, and ensuring planned and sustainable development of potential tourism destinations.