The long-awaited tourism master plan is expected to be finalised by the end of this year, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui said on Tuesday.

“After taking responsibility, we have prioritised ensuring the best possible services and facilities for tourists. We want to move forward in line with the tourism master plan, which is expected to be finalised by this year,” he said.

The BTB CEO made the remarks during an interaction with members of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the BTB office in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The master plan has been in the making for several years. A strategic tourism master plan prepared under the Bangladesh Tourism Board was launched in 2019, but its implementation and final approval were delayed by bureaucratic complications, the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent administrative changes. The plan was later sent back for review and revision. 

The government is now working on an integrated master plan covering around 1,498 tourist attractions across the country, with an emphasis on planned, environment-friendly and sustainable tourism development. 

Faruqui said the BTB would take steps to improve tourist facilities and services and implement development projects more quickly.

“We have some projects to enhance tourist facilities and services. We want to implement those projects very quickly,” he said.

On attracting more foreign tourists, he said the board would work more closely with the international community, foreign embassies and other stakeholders.

“We want to engage with the international community, embassies and other stakeholders to encourage their citizens to visit Bangladesh,” he said.

The BTB also plans to strengthen international promotion of Bangladesh as a tourism destination, while improving facilities at tourist attractions and making travel more convenient for visitors.

A number of ATJFB members, including it's president Tanzim Anwar, were present at the interaction.