Overseas tour packages can now be sold in taka
Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Sunday outlining the new arrangement
ATT Desk Report 
Bangladeshi travellers will now be able to purchase overseas travel packages in taka from tour operators based in Bangladesh in line with a new facility introduced by Bangladesh Bank on Sunday.
Under the new arrangement, the service providers, who are members of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), will be allowed to collect payments in taka from Bangladesh residents for overseas travel packages. They will subsequently be able to remit an equivalent amount in foreign currency to overseas tour operators, hotels or destination management companies for the services provided.
According to the regulatory bank’s instructions, the facility will be available to TOAB-member tour operators that have agreements or business arrangements with foreign tour operators, hotels or destination management companies.
Foreign currency may be remitted through authorised dealer (AD) banks to cover genuine overseas travel-related services included in the packages, such as accommodation and transportation.
Up to $3,000 in foreign currency a year
Under the new provision, up to $3,000 in foreign currency may be remitted for an individual traveller in each calendar year, in addition to the traveller's regular annual travel quota.
However, tour operators must maintain complete transaction records against each traveller's passport number. They must also obtain a declaration from the traveller confirming that the prescribed annual limit has not already been exceeded through another tour operator.
Card payment required above $3,000
A separate arrangement will apply where the value of a travel package exceeds $3,000.
In such cases, the package payment above the limit must be collected in foreign currency through an international card. AD banks will be allowed to provide acquiring services for such transactions.
Banks required to verify documents
Before remitting foreign currency, the relevant AD bank must verify the necessary documents, including the invoice, agreement, detailed travel itinerary, list of travellers and proof that payment has been received in taka.
AD banks must also submit details of the relevant transactions to Bangladesh Bank within seven days of the foreign currency remittance.
Industry hails this move
Meanwhile, tourism industry stakeholders have welcomed the Bangladesh Bank initiative, describing it as a positive step for the country's outbound tourism sector.
They said allowing travellers to purchase overseas packages in taka while staying in Bangladesh would make payments easier and more transparent for customers.
The new arrangement is also expected to support the growth of outbound tourism and bring tour-operating businesses under a more structured and formal framework, industry stakeholders said.
