A three-day colourful Harmony Festival celebrating the traditional foods, products, and diverse culture of ethnic groups began today at Fultola Tea Garden Field in Sreemangal.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam inaugurated the festival as chief guest, while State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat attended as a special guest.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we are working to advance the country’s tourism sector. We are formulating plans to create employment and develop ethnic tourism,” the minister said.
She also said the government would work to establish a Cultural Academy for ethnic groups in response to local demands.
“We have initiated plans to expand Sylhet Airport to attract foreign tourists. We want to showcase Sylhet to the world through tourism,” she added.
The state minister said the government’s election manifesto has given importance to balanced regional development and the development of community tourism, ethnic tourism, and water tourism.
The Bangladesh Tourism Board, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has organised the Harmony Festival to restore and sustainably revive the diverse and endangered cultures of ethnic minorities, according to organisers.
As part of product development and promotion in the tourism industry, the Bangladesh Tourism Board has planned to organise this event in Sreemangal on a designated date every year. This will enable tour operators to prepare and market inbound packages, officials said.
Members of Parliament M Naser Rahman and Md Mojibur Rahman Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Fahmida Akhtar, and senior field administration officials were also present.
