Minister for Private Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam Rita said the government is working to upgrade the tourism corporation into a profitable institution.
She said this at a view-sharing meeting with officials and employees of the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation and Bangladesh Tourism Board at the Parjatan Bhaban at 2 pm today.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, MP, was present as the chief guest at the event, while State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, was present as the special guest.
Speaking as the chief guest, the minister said that the government is working to upgrade the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation into a profitable institution. He mentioned that the expected progress has not been made in this sector in the last 17 years and the current government is emphasizing on formulating a specific action plan to overcome that situation. Besides, he urged the officials of the Bangladesh Tourism Board to take innovative initiatives in the extensive promotion of activities in the tourism sector and strategic branding of tourist spots.
In his speech as a special guest, the State Minister said that effective measures should be taken to identify the hotels and restaurants that have been in loss for a long time and convert them into profitable institutions. He said that on-site inspections will be conducted at the district level for this purpose. In addition, he gave instructions to gradually replace the existing vehicles of the corporation with electric vehicles.
A power point presentation on the history, vision, goals and activities of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation and Bangladesh Tourism Board was presented at the meeting.
Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Fahmida Akhtar, ndc, Chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Saema Shaheen Sultana and senior officials of the ministry, corporation and tourism board were also present at the event.
