Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam today told Parliament that the government has undertaken a range of initiatives to promote Bangladesh’s tourism potential at home and abroad and develop a skilled workforce for the sector.

Replying to a tabled written question from ruling party lawmaker Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9), the minister said Bangladesh has launched national and international marketing campaigns, digital promotion programmes and capacity-building initiatives for tourism stakeholders.

“The Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) has undertaken various activities in coordination with stakeholders to promote the country’s tourism attractions and potential both at home and abroad,” she said.

The minister said BTB is participating in international tourism fairs, organising roadshows and business-to-business (B2B) sessions, arranging familiarisation tours for foreign tour operators, travel agents and media representatives, and conducting digital marketing campaigns in key source markets with support from Bangladeshi missions abroad.

She said BTB has produced extensive digital content, including television commercials, documentaries, photographs and promotional videos highlighting the country’s tourist attractions.

“More than 500 audio-visual contents have already been produced and are being promoted through the ‘Beautiful Bangladesh’ social media platforms,” she added.

According to the minister, promotional activities are being carried out through Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn and Instagram, while the Beautiful Bangladesh website showcases the country’s tourism destinations and products.

The government is also organising familiarisation (FAM) tours for foreign diplomats, travel writers, influencers, bloggers and journalists to enhance international awareness of Bangladesh as a tourism destination.

Afroza Khanam informed the House that BTB has facilitated B2B meetings involving tourism operators from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, alongside Bangladeshi tour operators, hotels, resorts, airlines and tourist vessel operators, to strengthen regional tourism cooperation and business opportunities.

To improve visitor services, she said, Tourist Information Centres have been established at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Benapole Land Port and Saint Martin’s Island to provide information and assistance to tourists.

On human resource development, the minister said the government has adopted the National Tourism Human Capital Development Strategy (2021–2030) to create a skilled workforce for the tourism and hospitality sector.

A target has been set in the Tourism Master Plan to generate 21.94 million jobs by 2040, and the government is taking measures to develop skilled human resources accordingly, she said.

She also said the Bangladesh Institute of Tourism and Hospitality has been established to provide professional training in food and beverage services, front office management, housekeeping, travel, tourism and ticketing.

The minister added that regular training programmes are being conducted for tour operators, tour guides, travel agents, hoteliers, cruise workers, tourist police, street food vendors, community-based tourism workers and homestay operators to improve service quality and hospitality standards across the sector.