The 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026 will open in Dhaka on 17 September, bringing together more than 200 organisations from 10 countries across roughly 300 booths at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB). The three-day event, running until 19 September, will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

The fair was formally announced at a press conference held on Monday at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan, where Md. Mohiuddin Helal, Editor of Parjatan Bichitra and Chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair, briefed journalists on its scope and objectives. Md. Samimuzzaman, Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, attended as Chief Guest.

ATF 2026 carries the endorsement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, with overall support and participation from Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB). Hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, government and private tourism organisations, and foreign embassies and missions will showcase their products, services and special offers across three exhibition halls.

Major attractions this year include the Destination Bangladesh Showcase, the International Tourism Showcase, and the Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase. The programme will also feature B2B sessions, seminars, destination presentations, panel discussions, product promotions and networking opportunities. Cultural performances from Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines are scheduled for every evening of the fair.

Speaking as Chief Guest, Samimuzzaman said, "Tourism fairs of this nature are highly important for the development of Bangladesh's tourism industry. Through coordinated participation of the public and private sectors, ATF will help showcase Bangladesh's tourism potential and investment opportunities both domestically and internationally. Overall, the Asian Tourism Fair has evolved into an important platform for Bangladesh's tourism industry." He further noted that the fair has been endorsed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, while Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation will provide overall support and participate in the event.

Helal, for his part, said, "ATF 2026 will play an important role in strengthening business connections among domestic and international tourism stakeholders, promoting tourism products and creating new opportunities for tourism investment in Bangladesh."

Representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, Maldives and Malaysia attended the press conference, along with representatives of various partners and sponsors. Also present were Khabir-Uddin Ahmed, Founder President of the Tourism Resort Industry Association, and Tanzim Anwar, President of the Aviation and Travel Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), among other leaders of tourism-related organisations. The press conference was moderated by Md. Ziaul Haque Hawladar, General Manager of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the Title Sponsor of ATF 2026. Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport is the Platinum Partner, Chuti Group Cox's Bazar is the Co-Sponsor, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan is the Hospitality Partner, Vhaiya Hotels is the Investment Partner, and Sukher Khamar is the Agro-Tourism Partner.

Other partners include Convoy Service as Transport Partner, M360 as ICT Partner, The Travel Bound as Official Publication, Dhaka Dinner Cruise as Cruise Partner, and NRB Vistara Limited as Official Travel Partner. Representatives of the fair's partners and sponsors also highlighted preparations to offer special discounts and promotional packages to visitors ahead of the upcoming winter travel season.

Helal said ATF 2026 has placed particular emphasis on Bangladesh's diverse regional tourism products, including haor tourism, Sundarbans tourism, river tourism, adventure tourism, community-based tourism and eco-tourism, while international participants will promote their own destinations and tourism products.

The fair has been designed to accommodate the interests of children, students, tourism businesses and general visitors, with special attention given to the participation of women entrepreneurs and community-based tourism initiatives. Highlighting the role of media in promoting tourism, Helal invited representatives of all forms of media to cover and participate in the fair.

The Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat has consented to inaugurate the fair as Chief Guest on 17 September at 11:00 AM at ICCB, with the Ministry's Secretary attending as Guest of Honour. The Chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, and ambassadors and representatives of participating countries are expected to attend as special guests.

The Minister of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs has consented to attend the closing ceremony as Chief Guest on 19 September at 4:00 PM.

Entry to the fair costs Tk. 30. Visitors purchasing an entry coupon will be eligible for a raffle draw offering prizes and gift vouchers, including complimentary air tickets to domestic and international destinations.

Organisers have invited travel enthusiasts, tourism professionals and members of the public to visit the 13th Asian Tourism Fair 2026, running 17–19 September at ICCB, Dhaka.