Dhaka:Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat presented the inaugural Bangladesh Tourism Awards 2026 to sixteen individuals, organizations, and initiatives at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre during a ceremony marking World Tourism Day.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the awards, organized by the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), recognized achievements across 16 categories, including digital transformation, tourism conservation, and the promotion of women and young entrepreneurs. The winners were selected by a jury board comprising representatives from both public and private sectors.
Highlights included Shakawath Hossain's "Six Control Point for Food Cost Optimization" winning Best Sustainable Tourism Initiative of the Year. In the hospitality sector, InterContinental Dhaka was named Best Five-Star Hotel of the Year, Hotel Agrabad took Best Four-Star Hotel of the Year, and HANSA - A Premium Residence by UHTPLC was awarded Best Three-Star Hotel of the Year.
Other notable winners included Bengal Tours Limited as Best Inbound Tour Operator of the Year and ShareTrip Ltd as Best Domestic Tour Operator of the Year. Fantasy Kingdom Complex was awarded Best Amusement Park of the Year, while Bangladesh Eco Adventure was recognized as Best Young Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year. Charubala Homestay and Tours received the Best Homestay of the Year award.
Abu Mohammad Salahuddin (Sumon) was honored as Best Tourism Content Creator of the Year, and BD Tickets received the Best Tourism Technology Initiative of the Year. Nurani Sharmin Afroze was awarded Best Female Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year, and MV Malisha was named Best Tourist Vessel of the Year. Mohammad Sarwar Jahan (Mithu) received Best Tour Guide of the Year, while Seven International Limited won Best MICE Initiative of the Year. Naim Abir was recognized with the Best Tourism Journalism of the Year award.
The event included speeches by Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, who attended as the special guest. Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter chaired the program, with BTB Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui delivering the welcome address. Additional speeches were given by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Samimuzzaman and Tourist Police Additional Inspector General GM Azizur Rahman.