Govt. plans nationwide programs to celebrate World Tourism Day

Dhaka: The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has launched preparations for a nationwide celebration of World Tourism Day, with plans for countrywide events highlighting Bangladesh's culture and promoting tourism through digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

The decision was taken at a preparatory meeting held at the ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat on July 23. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat attended the meeting, said a release from the ministry.

This year's World Tourism Day will be observed under the theme "Tourism of the Future: Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence."

"We want to celebrate World Tourism Day across the country with great enthusiasm through various programs," Minister Afroz Khanam said.

She said exhibitions showcasing Bangladesh's culture and heritage would be organized to promote the country's tourism globally. The minister also directed officials to ensure simultaneous observance of the day at the district level.

"We want to use this year's celebrations to present Bangladesh's tourism to the world," she said, seeking cooperation from private sector stakeholders in the tourism industry.

State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said television commercials produced by the Bangladesh Tourism Board would be displayed at major public locations across the country during the celebrations.

He added that a live cooking show and culinary competition would also be organized for guests from foreign embassies to showcase Bangladesh's rich and diverse cuisine to the international community.

The meeting was also attended by Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar, NDC, along with senior officials from the ministry and its affiliated agencies.