Dhaka: The three-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026 will begin in the capital on Wednesday, bringing together more than 200 organisations from 10 countries to showcase tourism destinations, products, services and investment opportunities. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat is scheduled to inaugurate the fair at 11 am on September 17 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), organisers announced at a press conference here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, around 300 booths across three exhibition halls will feature information on hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, government and private tourism organisations as well as foreign embassies and missions. The fair, endorsed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism with support and participation from BPC and Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), will remain open from 10 am to 7 pm daily until September 19.
Major attractions will include the Destination Bangladesh Showcase, International Tourism Showcase and Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase. Business-to-business sessions, seminars, destination presentations, panel discussions, product promotions and networking events will also be organised, while cultural performances from Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines will take place every evening.
Speaking at the press conference, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Chairman Md Samimuzzaman said such fairs are highly important for developing Bangladesh's tourism industry and promoting the country's tourism and investment potential at home and abroad. 'Through coordinated participation of the public and private sectors, ATF will help showcase Bangladesh's tourism potential and investment opportunities both domestically and internationally,' he said.
Md Mohiuddin Helal, Chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair, said special emphasis has been placed on Bangladesh's diverse regional tourism offerings, including haor, Sundarbans and river tourism as well as adventure, community-based and eco-tourism. International participants will simultaneously showcase their destinations and tourism products, he said, adding the fair will also give particular attention to women entrepreneurs and community-based tourism initiatives. Representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, Maldives and Malaysia attended the press conference alongside representatives of the fair's partners, sponsors and tourism organisations.