11th Asian Tourism Fair 2024 in Dhaka in September

The “Asian Tourism Fair” will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 19 to 21 September. 

Ten countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, China, Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey have been participating in this fair throughout its inception while further 6 countries will take part this year such as Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore and a few others.

Asian Travel Fair organiser Chairman Parjatan Bichitra and CEO Mohiudeen Helal said: “We are impressed by Sri Lanka. This beautiful Island has all the qualifications to attract Bangladesh tourists. India records an average of 2 million arrivals from Bangladesh alone per annum. If Sri Lanka Tourism together with private sector partners come forward we can assure that Sri Lanka would definitely attract a satisfactory number of arrivals from Bangladesh. If Sri Lanka could divert 20% from Indian outbound tourists Sri Lanka can exceed the number of arrivals from India.”  He further noted that if Sri Lanka could actively attend to some promotions at the upcoming Asian Travel Fair and further follow-up promotions the present average of 3,000 arrivals per month from Bangladesh could immediately double and gradually develop to reach a practical target of 400,000 arrivals per annum within a very few years.

Helal also said Bengalis also travel heavily to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Nepal. However he regretted that Sri Lanka has not explored much in Bangladesh, therefore Bengalis are unaware of what Sri Lanka can offer them. Helal further noted that arrangements have already been discussed with the Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Priantha Fernando in promoting Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.

Mohiudeen Helal, said people of Bangladesh travel overseas immensely and is a highly potential segment for tourism. He invited local travel trade partners to join hands with them to promote Sri Lanka.  

SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando revealed that Bangladesh is also included in the 67 Visa Free Countries proposal submitted to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He confirmed participation of Sri Lanka Tourism at the Asian Travel Fair (ATF) 2024 to be held at International Convention City, Bashundara (ICCB) and noted that: “Bangladesh is a very potential country, same as India. We will actively engage in our future promotions in Bangladesh”. He also encouraged the travel industry to participate in the ATF 2024 and use this opportunity to promote Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Travel Writers Association President Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal said: “Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and it is worth promoting voluntarily with pleasure subsequent to a familiarisation tour offered to them by Sri Lanka Tourism.” Uzzal said he will release a couple of write-ups and videos to Bangladesh National Media, promoting Bengalis to visit Sri Lanka. They also pleaded with the local media and the tourism trade in return to support tourism of Bangladesh as well.

Starmedia of Star Productions BTL Ltd., is the local authorised coordinating agent for Asian Travel Fair 2024.