Coordinated policy key to outbound tourism growth

Bangladesh's outbound tourism sector is expanding rapidly as more people travel abroad for medical treatment, education, business, religious purposes and leisure. However, high airfares, visa difficulties, the depreciation of the taka, limited direct connectivity and the growing number of unauthorised travel agencies are placing increasing pressure on travellers and legitimate tour operators.

In an interview with Anindya Arif, Chief Reporter of Aviation and Tourism Times, Md Shariful Islam Sharif, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA) and Managing Partner and CEO of Vission Holidays, discussed the sector's challenges, the need for stronger regulation and the reforms required to make Bangladesh's outbound tourism industry more organised and competitive.

Aviation and Tourism Times (ATT): How would you assess the current state of Bangladesh's outbound tourism sector?

Md Shariful Islam Sharif: Bangladesh's outbound tourism sector has been growing steadily. People are travelling abroad for medical treatment, education, business, religious purposes and leisure, creating significant business and employment opportunities for local tour operators.

However, the sector faces several major challenges. Airfares have increased sharply, visa appointments and processing remain difficult for many destinations, and Bangladesh still has limited direct international connectivity.

Travellers going to countries such as the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Cambodia often have to travel via hubs such as Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand. This increases both travel time and costs. The growing number of unauthorised and fraudulent travel agencies is another serious concern.

ATT: How are rising airfares and the depreciation of the taka affecting travellers?

Sharif: High airfares are one of the biggest obstacles to the sector's growth. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, a flight to Nepal cost around Tk14,000 to Tk15,000. Today, it can exceed Tk38,000. Airfares to Bhutan can reach Tk50,000 to Tk55,000, while flights to Thailand that once cost Tk18,000 to Tk22,000 may now cost Tk42,000 to Tk43,000.

This has made overseas travel increasingly difficult for middle-income and salaried families. Some travellers are even changing their destinations because of airfare costs.

The depreciation of the taka has added further pressure. Even when prices at a foreign destination remain unchanged, the cost in taka rises significantly because of the exchange rate. As a result, many people are postponing or cancelling their travel plans, while tour operators are facing lower sales and financial losses.

ATT: What should be done to address visa-related difficulties?

Sharif: Stronger coordination between the Bangladesh government and foreign diplomatic missions is essential. Regular communication should be maintained to address shortages of visa appointments, processing delays and information gaps.

A more transparent and efficient visa system would benefit tourists, students, medical travellers, religious travellers and legitimate tour operators. Better coordination could significantly reduce many of the existing difficulties.

ATT: How serious is the problem of unauthorised travel agencies?

Sharif: It is a serious problem. Some operators simply open Facebook pages, advertise attractive packages and collect large sums of money without having a registered office or legal authorisation. They sometimes promise visas within hours or guarantee visas for countries where processing normally takes much longer.

After receiving money through mobile financial services or bank accounts, some disappear or block customers. This harms travellers and damages the reputation of legitimate agencies.

The government must take firm action against unlicensed operators. At the same time, public awareness campaigns should encourage travellers to use registered and licensed agencies. A central digital database allowing people to verify instantly whether a travel agency is legally authorised would greatly improve transparency and consumer protection.

ATT: What policy reforms are needed to make the sector more competitive?

Sharif: Bangladesh needs a modern and comprehensive tourism policy covering outbound, inbound and domestic tourism. The responsibilities of all stakeholders should be clearly defined, while legitimate operators should be provided with a supportive regulatory environment.

The government should also introduce international-standard training for tour operators and strengthen coordination among airlines, embassies and tourism stakeholders.

Public-private partnerships are equally important. Bangladeshi tourism businesses should participate in international tourism fairs, while foreign tour operators and media representatives should be invited to Bangladesh to explore the country's tourism potential.

ATT: How can Bangladesh develop new international routes?

Sharif: A coordinated public-private approach is essential. The government, airlines and tour operators should jointly assess market demand and identify destinations with potential for two-way tourism.

Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya and South Africa are among the destinations that could offer stronger opportunities for future connectivity. Greater airline competition would also help reduce airfares and provide travellers with more choices.

If Bangladeshi travellers are visiting a country while citizens of that country are also interested in visiting Bangladesh, direct air connectivity can benefit both markets.

ATT: Where should Bangladesh's outbound tourism sector be in five years?

Sharif: Bangladesh should aim to become one of South Asia's most organised and modern outbound tourism markets.

The immediate priorities are simpler and more transparent visa processing, more competitive airfares, stronger connectivity, effective regulation and firm action against fraudulent agencies.

Outbound tourism is not limited to leisure travel. People travel for healthcare, education, business and investment, making the sector economically important. Stronger coordination among the government, airlines, foreign missions and private-sector stakeholders can help Bangladesh build a more organised and globally connected tourism industry.

ATT: What is BOTOA doing to strengthen Bangladesh's international tourism links?

Sharif: BOTOA is working not only to facilitate outbound travel but also to attract more international visitors to Bangladesh.

We are in discussions with tour operators from several countries. Around 15 to 20 international buyers have already confirmed their participation in our planned initiatives, while discussions are continuing with others. Our target is to bring around 50 hosted international buyers to Bangladesh and create a dedicated business-to-business platform linking foreign buyers with Bangladeshi tourism sellers.

We want to bring new international buyers to Bangladesh every year through events such as the Bangladesh Travel Mart. Stronger global recognition of Bangladesh as a tourism destination will create opportunities for both inbound and outbound tourism.

A stronger international tourism network can help Bangladeshi businesses exchange tourism products with global partners and make the country's tourism industry more competitive.