Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam on Wednesday said in National Parliament that the government has initiated a move to formulate a tourism mega plan.
The Tourism Mega Plan 2026–2040 targets attracting 55.7 million tourists and generating employment for 2.19 crore people by 2040, she said while replying to a starred question from Jamalpur-2 lawmaker A E Sultan Mahmud Babu.
The minister said the government has taken initiatives to encourage private investment and create new employment opportunities in tourism.
A comprehensive plan has been adopted to promote tourism entrepreneurship, particularly among women, alongside facilitating access to low-interest loans and policy support, she said.
“The government considers tourism a major driver of economic growth,” she said, adding that steps are underway to attract investment and expand employment.
Public-private partnership (PPP) is being prioritised to develop tourism infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth, she said.
The National Tourism Policy is being updated to make the sector more sustainable and inclusive.
Banks are offering loans on easy terms to attract small and medium entrepreneurs, and such facilities will be expanded, she said.
A One Stop Service (OSS) is also planned to support both tourists and investors.
From fiscal year 2021–22 to 2024–25, training was provided to 1,943 tour operators, 1,215 tour guides and 1,527 street food vendors, while 3,085 people were trained as tourism volunteers, she said.
Bangladesh Tourism Board has prepared the National Tourism Human Capital Development Strategy 2021–2030 to build a skilled workforce, she added.
The sector currently employs about 5.19 million people, with employment projected to rise to 7.28 million by 2030.
Investment is being encouraged in eco-tourism and environmentally friendly infrastructure, particularly in Kuakata and coastal areas, to create jobs for local communities.
Plans are also in place to expand community-based tourism by involving local communities in managing destinations, boosting rural employment and the economy.
Initiatives have been taken to create a women-friendly environment in tourism and hospitality to increase female participation, she said.
Efforts are also underway to promote festivals, traditions and handicrafts of small ethnic communities to support rural tourism.
Private investment is being encouraged through Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to establish an Exclusive Tourist Zone (ETZ) at Sabrang in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, she said.
Projects on land owned by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation in Cox’s Bazar are also being implemented through PPP, she added.
