Dhaka: The government has initiated the formation of a National Tourism Council aimed at ensuring the sustainable and coordinated development of the country’s tourism industry. The Cabinet Division recently issued a gazette notification to formalize this development.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the newly established 16-member council will be headed by the Prime Minister and include ministers from Local Government, Finance, Planning, Home, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Cultural Affairs, Land, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Commerce, Water Resources, Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs, and Shipping. Additionally, the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism will serve as a member, with the secretary of the same ministry acting as member-secretary.
The council is tasked with supervising, coordinating, and providing policy guidance for the implementation of tourism development plans. It will offer advice on expanding the tourism sector on national, regional, and international platforms. The council will also focus on formulating policy decisions related to tourism laws and administrative measures, determining strategies to attract both domestic and foreign investment, and enhancing coordination among relevant ministries.
Furthermore, the council will facilitate public-private partnerships for sector development, review and approve recommendations from other tourism-related committees, and monitor the progress of implementing election pledges concerning the tourism sector. It holds the authority to make decisions on significant matters as needed.
The notification specifies that council meetings will be convened as necessary, and additional members may be co-opted if required. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism will provide the necessary secretarial and administrative support to the council.