Bangladesh is celebrating World Tourism Day today with a colourful rally, a bicycle procession and a city tour for underprivileged children, opening a week-long programme highlighting the future of tourism.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has designated the global theme for this year's World Tourism Day as "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism."

Aligned with this vision, this year's events in Bangladesh highlight the potential of digital transformation and artificial intelligence within the domestic tourism sector. Events will run from September 27 to October 3 under the theme "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism".

The programme will bring Bangladesh's culture and attractions into focus while examining how digital technology can improve tourism services and visitor experiences.

The opening rally began at Parjatan Bhaban in Agargaon in the morning to be followed by a bicycle rally.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) launched a guided city tour for underprivileged children, offering them an opportunity to visit tourist attractions in the capital.

Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) will meet tourism stakeholders on September 28 to discuss the industry's development.

Diplomats from countries that are sources of tourists will join a separate meeting on September 30 to explore cooperation and ways to encourage more visitors to Bangladesh.

The main ceremony will take place on October 3 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. Twelve thematic stalls will showcase Bangladeshi cuisine, geographical indication products, crafts, textiles, cultural heritage and tourist destinations.

Displays will also use artificial intelligence to present virtual destination experiences.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat is scheduled to attend a seminar on the theme as chief guest. Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar will chair the session.

The ceremony will also see the introduction of the Bangladesh Tourism Award.

BTB will present awards in 13 categories to recognise contributions to sustainable tourism, innovation, service quality, digital transformation, community participation and heritage preservation.

A cultural performance will follow the discussion.

The celebrations come as the government works on a Tourism Master Plan covering 1,498 identified attractions.

At the press conference here yesterday, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akther said the present government has taken a holistic approach, including infrastructure development and digital automation, to develop the tourism sector.

BTB Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui said the board has been working to finalise the Tourism Master Plan by December this year.

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

BPC Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman also said the government has taken the initiative to facilitate the private sector for the development of the country's tourism and leisure sector.