Bangladesh to observe World Tourism Day with focus on AI, digital tourism
The Ministry of Civil
Aviation and Tourism will organize the programs from September 27 to October 3,
bringing together government agencies, tourism businesses, academics, diplomats
and other stakeholders.
This year's global World
Tourism Day theme, designated by UN Tourism, is “Digital Agenda and Artificial
Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” Bangladesh's observance will focus on how
digital tools and AI can be applied to tourism promotion, destination
experiences and the broader development of the domestic tourism industry.
The week-long program
will begin on September 27 with a rally from Parjatan Bhaban in West Agargaon,
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The rally is scheduled to feature representations of
Bangladesh's traditional lifestyle, ethnic heritage and the history and
attractions of Dhaka.
A bicycle rally will
follow, while Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation will organize a city tour for
underprivileged children, giving them an opportunity to visit several
attractions in the capital.
Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui,
chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil
Aviation and Tourism, is scheduled to attend the opening rally as chief guest.
The celebrations will
continue on September 28 with a stakeholder exchange meeting at the conference
room of Parjatan Bhaban. The meeting will bring together representatives of the
tourism sector to discuss development issues and cooperation with the
Bangladesh Tourism Board.
Another meeting is
scheduled for Sept. 30 with diplomats representing countries identified as
important tourism source markets for Bangladesh. The session will focus on
mutual cooperation and opportunities for increasing inbound tourism.
The main World Tourism
Day program will be held on October 3 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship
Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Twelve thematic
exhibition stalls will be set up as part of the main event. The displays will
cover Bangladesh's traditional culture and cuisine, geographical indication
products, handicrafts, souvenirs, handloom and textiles, ethnic minority
heritage, tourist destinations and traditional lifestyles.
Technology will be a
major component of the exhibition. Visitors will be able to see demonstrations
showing how AI and digital technology can be used to create virtual tourism
experiences, including destination-based presentations, virtual time-travel
concepts and AI-supported destination photography.
A seminar on “Digital
Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism” will follow the opening
of the exhibition.
Barrister Mutasim Billah
Faruqui, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, will deliver
the welcome address. A video message from Shaikha Al-Nuais, secretary-general
of UN Tourism, is also scheduled for the event.
Dr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin,
an associate professor in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
at the University of Dhaka, will present the keynote paper.
Representatives of the
Tourist Police, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and the Ministry of Civil
Aviation and Tourism are also scheduled to address the seminar. Among them are
G M Azizur Rahman, additional inspector general of Tourist Police; Md.
Shamimuzzaman, chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation; and Md. Abdur Rouf,
additional secretary of the ministry.
The program will also
feature addresses by lawmakers Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui and Ali Newaz Mahmud
Khaiyum, state minister for cultural affairs.
One of the major
additions to this year's observance will be the introduction of the Bangladesh
Tourism Award 2026, which will be presented for the first time to recognize
contributions to the country's tourism industry.
The Bangladesh Tourism
Board, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, will confer awards in
13 categories. The initiative is intended to recognize individuals,
organizations, entrepreneurs and tourism-related initiatives that have
contributed to areas such as sustainable tourism, service quality, innovation,
digital transformation and community participation.
The award categories will
also recognize efforts involving women's and youth empowerment and the
preservation of Bangladesh's environmental and cultural heritage.
The introduction of the
award is expected to provide a national platform for recognizing different
parts of the tourism industry, including initiatives that contribute to local
communities and promote new approaches to tourism development.
The main discussion
session will be attended by M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, minister for civil aviation and tourism, as
chief guest. Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum and Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui will attend
as special guests.
The session will be
chaired by Fahmida Akhtar, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
Tourism.
The week-long observance
is being organized with participation from a broad range of public and private
tourism stakeholders. Besides the Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh
Parjatan Corporation, the program involves the Tourist Police, agencies under
the tourism ministry, hotels and resorts, tour operators, travel agencies,
amusement park associations, universities, district administrations and
representatives of tourism destinations.
The organizers are also
seeking to use the World Tourism Day platform to bring greater attention to the
potential of digitalization and AI in Bangladesh's tourism sector. The focus
comes as tourism destinations increasingly use digital platforms to reach visitors
and technology becomes more prominent in travel planning, destination marketing
and visitor experiences.
The program will conclude
with a cultural performance in cooperation with the Bangladesh Shilpakala
Academy, adding a cultural component to the discussions on technology and the
future of tourism.
Tourism industry representatives, professionals and members of the public have been invited to participate in the different events scheduled during the week.
