Govt aims to double tourism's GDP share

Bangladesh aims to double the contribution of the domestic tourism sector to its gross domestic product (GDP) from around 3 percent to 6-7 percent, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam on Saturday.

She said the government is working to bring the country's tourism sector up to international standards by promoting coordinated development of the travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality industries.

"Currently, tourism contributes around 3 percent to the country's GDP. The government wants to increase this contribution to 6-7 percent," the minister said while speaking as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of the Travel and Tourism Development Centre (TTDC) at InterContinental Dhaka.

The minister said the four interconnected sectors must work together to unlock Bangladesh's tourism potential and establish the country as an international tourism destination.

She said the newly launched platform could serve as an important forum for stakeholders from the travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors to work collectively towards developing the industry.

"Everyone involved in travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality needs to move forward together to take the country's tourism sector to international standards," she said.

Highlighting the role of the private sector, Afroza Khanam urged tourism businesses and other stakeholders to play a more active role in developing the industry.

She said the government was ready to provide policy support and other necessary assistance to facilitate sustainable growth of the tourism sector.

The minister also criticised the lack of significant progress in tourism development over the past 17 years, saying the current government has taken initiatives to utilise the sector's potential and promote its development.

She called for stronger cooperation between the government and private-sector stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and improve Bangladesh's position in the global tourism market.

The government's target of raising tourism's GDP contribution to 6-7 percent would require coordinated development across tourism-related industries, along with greater private-sector participation and policy support, she added.

The minister expressed hope that joint efforts by all stakeholders would help establish Bangladesh as an internationally recognised tourism destination.

Tourism industry leaders, stakeholders and invited guests attended the launching ceremony.