UTSSOB, Chinese Tourism Research Institute sign MoU to boost sustainable tourism

The United Tourism Stakeholders Society of Bangladesh (UTSSOB) and the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening tourism research, knowledge exchange and sustainable tourism development.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday by UTSSOB President HM Hakim Ali and General Secretary Rezaul Ekram on behalf of the Bangladeshi organisation, while COTRI was represented by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Prof Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt UTSSOB Vice-President Taufiq Rahman was also present at the signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate on tourism research, destination studies, market intelligence, policy advocacy, capacity building and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

The partnership also envisages joint research projects, publications, seminars and workshops to promote sustainable, responsible and regenerative tourism practices.

According to the organisations, the collaboration is intended to strengthen institutional cooperation, encourage innovation in destination management and support evidence-based tourism policy and planning.

The two sides said the initiative would help improve the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s tourism sector by facilitating the sharing of international best practices and enhancing research-based decision-making.

They also expressed hope that the partnership would contribute to positioning Bangladesh as a more sustainable and attractive destination in the global tourism market.

Speaking after the signing, representatives of both organisations said the collaboration would deepen international cooperation and support the long-term development of the tourism industry through research-driven initiatives.