Md. Taslim Amin (Shovon), director (Trade & Fair), Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) speaks about the forthcoming trade event and its connect with the India market. By Reema Lokesh
What is the primary focus of the event?
Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) is the leading exhibition for the travel and tourism industry in Bangladesh. It provides an annual opportunity for organisations from Bangladesh and abroad to showcase their products and services. Visitors can interact with tour-operators, travel agents, hoteliers and airlines to gather information and make national and international travel plans. BTTF gives opportunity for exhibitors to connect directly with the largest gathering of prospective travellers and members of the travel industry. Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), is the leader in promoting travel and tourism Industry in Bangladesh. We are optimistic that the recent socio-political changes and the prevailing improved security and harmony will help steady growth of the travel and tourism industry and put Bangladesh on the world tourist map as a thriving destination. The main focus is to promote and develop tourism sector in Bangladesh.
What’s the target audience?
BTTF is an excellent platform for exhibitors to develop South Asian market, converges the organisation and enterprises of global destination, attraction, airlines, cruise, hotels, travel agents, etc, provides them one-stop solution on displaying resource, developing channels, establishing brand.
What are your expectations from India market?
In the last 10 years Bangladeshi people have started to travel around the world. India has always been a top destination for Bangladeshi people. With the ease of restriction to Sikkim and Seven Sisters, the number is rising gradually. The High Commission of India is now issuing over 6000 visas a day to Bangladeshi people for leisure, business, tourism, education and medical treatment. Approximately 2.2 million Bangladeshi people are traveling to India each year. People from West Bengal and some part of the North East travel to Bangladesh to meet their relatives and to find their roots. While travelling they do not miss the opportunity to visit Cox’s Bazar, the longest sea beach in the world, hill tracks and Sundarbans as we have the major part of the forest and better facilities to visit the forest, archaeological sites etc. Recently more of the extended tours are coming from India.
What are the synergies you see in business?
Cross border and regional tourism is the latest phenomena all over the world. In this regard Indian sub-continent has huge potentiality to work together. We have common tourism product which we can conduct together in a platform like BTTF. Neighbouring countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia are some of the examples for joint marketing efforts conducted by tour operators and NTOs.
What are the various sessions and other highlights of the event?
Apart from the main tourism exhibition, we emphasise on B2B sessions. Other sideline events like tourism seminars, round table discussions, presentations, country presentations, press conference, cultural shows and raffle draw during the fair make the fair colourful and vibrant. Different states from India have their presence. BTTF 2019 will be organised by TOAB for the ninth time from April 18 to 20, 2019 – a three day event, at the Bangabandhu International Convention Center (BICC), Dhaka.
