The Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair 2026 generated approximately Tk43 crore in sales and commercial transactions over three days, attracting nearly 45,000 visitors as tourism businesses explored the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve services and reduce operating costs.
The 14th edition of the fair, organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), concluded on Saturday with a closing ceremony at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport.
The event brought together tourism businesses and representatives from 20 countries, including India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines reported strong responses to their ticket sales during the fair, according to the organisers, who did not disclose airline-specific sales figures.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government had adopted a tourism master plan covering infrastructure, technology, regulation and sustainable development.
He said technology could improve destination management, tourist safety, waste disposal, environmental monitoring and emergency services.
“Through the proper application of technology and the effective enforcement of regulations, it is possible to build more responsible and sustainable tourism destinations,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the installation of solar panels at resorts and training programmes for young people through the National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute.
At a seminar titled “AI for Sustainable Tourism Operation”, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, industry representatives discussed using AI for travel bookings, dynamic pricing, itinerary planning, customer services and translation.
Speakers said AI could also help manage overcrowding at tourist destinations, support local businesses and reduce fuel consumption through more efficient flight planning.
They identified reliable data, skilled workers, adequate infrastructure and public-private cooperation as essential to adopting the technology.
The seminar also examined how tourism operators could introduce AI through pilot projects, assess costs and environmental effects, and expand successful applications without compromising hospitality and cultural experiences.
TOAB First Vice-President Syed Safat Uddin Ahmed chaired the seminar, while Swadeshi Communications CEO Syed Sajjat Hossain Mahmud presented the keynote paper.
Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nepal participated as partner countries, while US-Bangla Airlines served as the title sponsor.
The fair was held under the theme “AI Powered Tourism, Sustainable Destination”.
