Bangladesh, Philippines explore direct air connectivity

Bangladesh and the Philippines have discussed prospects for establishing direct air connectivity between the two countries as part of efforts to boost two-way tourist flows and deepen bilateral tourism cooperation.

The issue figured prominently at a meeting between a delegation of the Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA) and the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DOT) – National Capital Region (NCR) in Manila on Friday, according to a BOTOA press release sent to media on Saturday.

The BOTOA delegation held talks with Ivannovich “Dmitry” Agote, Chief of the Tourism Regional Division of DOT-NCR, focusing on expanding tourism ties, improving air connectivity and long-term cooperation between the tourism sectors of the two countries.

During the meeting, the two sides stressed that direct and convenient air links between Bangladesh and the Philippines could significantly facilitate tourist movement while also contributing to greater trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.

The discussions also focused on increasing two-way tourist flows, including attracting more Filipino travellers to Bangladesh alongside the growing movement of Bangladeshi tourists to the Philippines.

The BOTOA delegation highlighted Bangladesh's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, historical sites and diverse tourism attractions, stressing the need for stronger promotional initiatives to showcase the country as a destination for Filipino tourists.

Both sides also emphasised greater business-to-business collaboration among tour operators, destination management companies, tourism stakeholders and other private-sector entities in the two countries.

They discussed opportunities for experience-sharing, business networking and joint initiatives aimed at making the tourism markets of Bangladesh and the Philippines more dynamic.

BOTOA said tourism was not merely an economic sector but also a powerful means of strengthening people-to-people relations, cultural exchanges, friendship and mutual understanding.

The two sides observed that improved air connectivity, effective destination promotion, active private-sector participation and institutional cooperation could help build a stronger and more sustainable Bangladesh-Philippines tourism partnership.

The BOTOA delegation was led by its President Syed Golam Mohammad and included General Secretary Md Shariful Islam, Adviser Taufiq Rahman, Senior Vice-President Mohammad Mohsin Iqbal, Vice-President AKN Kamruzzaman and member MD Anisuzzaman.

Monotosh Sarkar, proprietor of Legend Holidays, Philippines, also attended the meeting as the hosting partner of BOTOA's familiarisation (FAM) trip to the Philippines.

BOTOA expressed hope that the Manila meeting would lay a foundation for greater tourist exchanges, new business opportunities and a long-term tourism partnership between Bangladesh and the Philippines.