Bangladesh to mark World Tourism Day with weeklong programmes

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has organised a series of events from 27 September to 3 October to mark World Tourism Day 2026 under the theme ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.’

The information was disclosed on Saturday (26 September) at a press conference held in the conference room of the Bangladesh Tourism Board to mark World Tourism Day 2026.

The programmes have been arranged in coordination with public and private stakeholders across Bangladesh’s tourism sector, including the Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Tourist Police, ministry agencies, hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agents, amusement park associations, universities and district administrations.

The theme, designated globally by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), reflects the growing role of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the tourism industry. Organisers said advances in digital technology have created new opportunities for the sector worldwide and that harnessing these opportunities domestically could have a significant impact on the national economy.

Rally and city tour to open celebrations

The celebrations began on 27 September with a rally at Parjatan Bhaban in West Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, inaugurated the rally at 9:00am as the chief guest.

Tourism stakeholders participated in the rally, presenting traditional Bengali lifestyle, ethnic heritage and the cultural history of Dhaka.

A bicycle rally followed at 9:30am, while a city tour organised by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation was inaugurated at 9:40am. The initiative gave underprivileged children an opportunity to visit tourist attractions in Dhaka through guided tours.

Stakeholder and diplomatic engagement

An exchange-of-views meeting with tourism stakeholders will be held on 28 September at 10:30am in the Conference Room (Level 10) of Parjatan Bhaban, focusing on the broader development of the country’s tourism industry.

Another meeting with diplomats from source countries will take place on 30 September at the same time and venue, with the aim of fostering cooperation and promoting inbound tourism. Diplomats will hold discussions with Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, Chief Executive Officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board.

Main ceremony and exhibitions on 3 October

The principal event will take place on 3 October at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The programme will begin at 2:30pm with the inauguration of 12 thematic exhibition stalls.

The stalls will showcase Bangladesh’s traditional culture, cuisine, geographical indication (GI) products, craft souvenirs, handloom and textiles, ethnic minority heritage and destination-based presentations. In line with this year’s theme, artificial intelligence will be used to demonstrate tourist destination experiences, including virtual time travel and destination photography.

A seminar titled ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism’ will begin at 3:00pm, with a welcome address by Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui.

A video message from UN Tourism Secretary-General Ms Shaikha Al-Nuais will be broadcast, followed by a keynote presentation by Dr Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka.

Special guest addresses will be delivered by G M Azizur Rahman, Additional IGP of Tourist Police; Md Shamimuzzaman, Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation; Md Abdur Rouf NDC, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui MP; and Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum MP, State Minister for Cultural Affairs.

First-ever Bangladesh Tourism Award to be launched

A key feature of this year’s celebrations is the launch of the Bangladesh Tourism Award 2026, the first of its kind for industry stakeholders.

The award will be conferred by the Bangladesh Tourism Board under the guidance of the ministry and will recognise individuals, organisations, entrepreneurs and initiatives contributing to sustainable tourism development, service quality, innovation, digital transformation, community engagement, women’s and youth entrepreneurship, and the preservation of environmental and cultural heritage.

Awards will be presented across 13 categories, with organisers saying the initiative aims to set national benchmarks for excellence and inspire further investment in the sector.

M Rashiduzzaman Millat MP, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, will attend the discussion session as Chief Guest. Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum MP and Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui MP will attend as Special Guests. The session will be chaired by Ms Fahmida Akhtar NDC, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

A cultural performance, organised in collaboration with the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, will follow the discussion.

Members of the public have been invited to attend the rally, exchange-of-views meetings, exhibitions, award ceremony and cultural performances throughout the week.