tourism fair bd

• 9th Biman Bangladesh Travel & Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2019
• Bangabandhu & Tourism 2020
• TOAB distributed the blankets to the cold affected people.
• 12th Biman Bangladesh Travel & Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2024

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) was formed in the year of 1992. This was the time when a handful of agencies operating tours inside Bangladesh, felt the need of such an association or trade body to overcome immense problems and difficulties being faced by them regularly. Besides this, the other main objective or aim of the organization was to develop and nourish tourism in Bangladesh and to promote the tourism products of Bangladesh in the international arena. After a long wait and completion of different formalities, the association was recognized as a trade organization by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in 2002. Currently, TOAB is having 751 active Members.

In tourism, all over the world tourist's expectations are very high for hazardless traveling, secured food & lodging, efficient spot visits, an economically cost-effective transaction in every step whether it is a business or a personal recreational tour. To fulfill these demands of an individual or group of tourists the tour operators come into the picture and provide all the services they need. They are like a one-stop service provider starting from their arrival to departure in case of the overseas tourists and from your house back to your house in case of local tourist either it is inside the country or to a foreign land. In Bangladesh where the infrastructure of this industry is not well developed, it is always recommended that a tourist should arrange his travel here through a member of TOAB, which will be safer and more authentic.

The main goal and objective of TOAB are to encourage foreign tourists to visit our country's tourist attractions and establishments and to work for the development of domestic tourism in Bangladesh. From the very beginning, TOAB has been promoting and attracting foreign tourists to visit the tourist attractions of our country and has been working tirelessly for the development of domestic tourism in Bangladesh. TOAB Members conduct around 90% of the tour operation in Bangladesh. They are playing an important role in the economic development of Bangladesh by earning foreign exchange through inbound tourism. TOAB also maintains excellent relationships with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Bangladesh Tourism Board, FBCCI, and other tourism associations and trade bodies. Since its inception, TOAB supports the Ministry, BPC, BTB in different policy-making processes.

TOAB Members regularly participate in the different tourism fairs in Asia, Europe, and North America, etc., and contribute to branding Bangladesh around the world. Since the beginning of TOAB, its members have been actively participating in different international trade fairs like ITB - Berlin, BIT - Milan, FITUR - Madrid, WTM - London, ATE - Sydney, BITE - Beijing, ATM - Dubai, KOTFA - Seoul, COTTM - Beijing, JATA - Tokyo, MITT - Moscow, MATTA - Kuala Lumpur, ATA Travel Mart - Bangkok, TTF - Kolkata, OTM - Mumbai, SATTE – Delhi, etc. in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Bangladesh Tourism Board. TOAB also participates in different local and regional tourism exhibitions organized by the Tourism Ministry, Bangladesh Tourism Board, and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. TOAB organizes Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) every year which is the largest international tourism fair in Bangladesh. It is to be noted that the TOAB BTTF 2019 was inaugurated by the Hon'ble President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid.

TOAB observes World Tourism Day with day-long programs every year. TOAB organizes workshops, seminars, and training programs around the year. TOAB organizes various FAM Trips, Tourism Awareness Programs, Roadshows throughout the year to promote and expand the country's tourist attractions and facilities. These programs attend by the TOAB President, Board of Directors, Hon’ble Members, TOAB Officials, Govt. Officials, journalists of print and electronic media, and tourism-related personalities. TOAB works together with Bangladesh Tourism Board for the branding of Bangladesh for the purpose of unveiling new tourist attractions and promoting existing tourist attractions. Recently TOAB has purchased its own office in Agargaon Administrative Area which is a great achievement for TOAB. It is expected that TOAB will do much more in the coming years.

TOAB publishes TOAB Members’ Directory every two years. The directory contains updated information of TOAB Members and other related matters of TOAB. The directory is very helpful for the TOAB Members, Government and Semi-Government, Non-Government, and other concerned organizations, Embassies, Airlines as well as creates opportunities for new businesses in the tourism sector. The directory enables the reader to learn more about the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), their activities, and their contribution to tourism in Bangladesh.

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3-day int'l tourism fair to begin on Thursday

DHAKA, Jan 30, 2024 (BSS) - A three-day international tourism fair will begin in the capital on Thursday with participation of travel and leisure service providers of eight countries including hosts Bangladesh.   Civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan will inaugurate the fair titled "12th Biman Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF)-2024" at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).

Tour operators association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the country's apex body of tour operators organized the fair with the association of Civil Aviation and tourism ministry, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), FBCCI, Bangladesh Tourist Police and Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB).

National and international tourism organizations, domestic and foreign tour operators, travel agents, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, resorts, amusement parks and transport companies from 8 countries including India, Nepal, the Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and host Bangladesh will be display their services at 12 pavilions and 34 stalls.

These were revealed at a press conference today at a city hotel where TOAB president Shiblul Azam Koreshi and fair director Mohammad Anwar spoke, among others.

The TOAB leaders said the main objective of the fair is to create awareness about tourism and its sustainable development in Bangladesh.   Business to business session, seminars, round table discussions, country presentations, cultural programmes and raffle draws will be taken place on the sideline of the fair.   The fair will remain open from 10am to 8pm.  

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3-day int’l tourism fair to begin Thursday

A three-day international tourism fair will begin in Dhaka Thursday with participation of travel and leisure service providers of eight countries including hosts Bangladesh.

Civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan will inaugurate the fair titled “12th Biman Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF)-2024” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), reports BSS.

Tour operators association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the country’s apex body of tour operators organised the fair with the association of Civil Aviation and tourism ministry, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), FBCCI, Bangladesh Tourist Police and Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB).

National and international tourism organisations, domestic and foreign tour operators, travel agents, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, resorts, amusement parks and transport companies from 8 countries including India, Nepal, the Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and host Bangladesh will be display their services at 12 pavilions and 34 stalls.

These were revealed at a press conference on Tuesday at a city hotel where TOAB president Shiblul Azam Koreshi and fair director Mohammad Anwar spoke, among others.

The TOAB leaders said the main objective of the fair is to create awareness about tourism and its sustainable development in Bangladesh.

Business to business session, seminars, round table discussions, country presentations, cultural programmes and raffle draws will be taken place on the sideline of the fair.

The fair will remain open from 10am to 8pm.

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ASIAN TOURISM FAIR

Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) is an exceptional platform providing immense opportunities for tourism buyers and sellers from Asian countries to come and showcase their latest Products & services.

Tourism is increasingly a major source of economic growth, employment, income, and main revenue for many developing countries. It can significantly contribute to social and economic development activities. It gives us immense pleasure to invite you to the 11th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF, Dhaka) scheduled to be held on September 19, 20 & 21, 2024 at International Convention City, Bashundhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the largest and most popular tourism event in Bangladesh. This not-to-be-missed showcase “Asian Tourism Fair” would also serve as a useful platform for disseminating information for business sharing, exchange of cultural diversity, creating awareness for the conservation of nature, culture, and heritage, as well as inspiring community tourism and helping each other’s tourism destinations.

MARKET POTENTIAL

Asian Tourism Fair is one of essential platform for connecting Asian source markets. It is very significant to host ATF at Dhaka-the capital of Bangladesh which is the…

central connecting hub of South Asia. Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing markets for outbound, inbound and domestic tourists. Even in the present scenario of corporate culture, the most of companies are offering the annual corporate trip at home or abroad. Flights are increasing significantly between Bangladesh and other destinations, especially in the Asian & Middle East regions. Bangladesh is one of the best value destinations for international tourists (Source: Lonely Planet) having the largest mangrove forest, longest unbroken sea beach, tea gardens, hilly areas and ethnic community, rich cultural heritage, Buddhist heritage sites, hospitable people and many more. It’s a valued destination for community tourism also. It is the Destination of Celebrating Diversity.

I Adventure Tourism Clubs I Airlines, Railways, Bus, Cruise Lines I Amusement, Theme Parks, Health Spas & Resorts I Duty free shops, Souvenir Shops

PARTICIPATED COUNTRIES

I Bangladesh I India I Nepal I Bhutan I Thailand I Malaysia I Sri Lanka I Indonesia I China I Korea I Sri Lanka I Japan I Jordan I Iran I

Qatar I Philippine I Singapore I

concurrent EVENT

On the celebration of world tourism day , this year Asian Tourism Fair has taken added glory & prestige with concurrent event Regional Tourism Conference, Cultural Exchange Program, Responsible Tourism Network, Children Art competition. ATF is now having its unique nature of B2B, B2C & Development showcase.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

On the celebration of world tourism day, this year Asian Tourism Fair has taken added glory & prestige with the sideline events of CBT Mart, Seminar, Workshop, Skill convention, Photo exhibition, Cultural Programme along with tourism trade exhibition, B2B & B2C Sessions.

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Online registration is open for exhibitors, media & business professionals to join B2B session & conference.

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DIGNITARIES IN ATF

Many dignitaries from many countries participated in ATF and inspire us by giving valued speech & statements. Here are few photos of our valued dignitaries.

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Many memorable moments of ATF have captured by our communication team and Television channels. Here is few for your experience of ATF.

ATF EXHIBITORS

A glimpse of Asian Tourism Fair with few photos of ATF Exhibitors memories.

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MEMORIES OF ASIAN TOURISM FAIR

Glimpse of Asian Tourism Fair with few photos of memories.

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Int'l tourism fair begins tomorrow

January 31, 2024 00:00:00

A three-day international tourism fair will begin in the capital on Thursday, reports BSS.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muha-mmad Faruk Khan will inaugurate the fair titled '12th Biman Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF)-2024' at Banga-bandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

The tour operators association of Bangladesh (TOAB) has organised the fair in association with the civil aviation and tourism ministry, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), FBCCI, Bangladesh Tourist Police and Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB).

TOAB President Shiblul Azam Koreshi and Fair Director Mohammad Anwar announced the fair at a press conference at a city hotel on Tuesday.

National and international tourism organisations, domestic and foreign tour operators, travel agents, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, resorts, amusement parks and transport companies from eight countries, including India, Nepal, the Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and host Bangladesh, will join the fair.

Business-to-business session, seminars, roundtable discussions, country presentations, cultural programmes and raffle draws will be highlighted on the sidelines of the fair.

The fair will remain open from 10:00am to 8:00pm daily.

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10th Asian Tourism Fair to start on Sep 21, 2023

A 3-day long ’10th Asian Tourism Fair and Bangladesh Tourism Development Summit 2023′ is going to start on September 21 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital. Parjatan Bichitra, a reputed tourism magazine with the support of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and Bangladesh Tourism Board will hold the international tourism fair. In this connection, the organizer had a press conference at InterContinental Hotel Dhaka on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Chairman Rahat Anwar was present as the chief guest. Additional secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Manoj Kumar Roy presented as the special guest. Ziaul Haque Hawlader was the moderator of the press conference.

The Asian Tourism Fair is a unique platform that provides a great opportunity for buyers and sellers of tourism products and services from Asian countries.

Tourism is a growing source of economic growth and employment in many developing countries. It also provides income, jobs, and a primary source of revenue. It can contribute significantly to social and economic activities.

According to the organizer, this is the biggest and most popular event for tourism in Bangladesh. The “Asian Tourism Fair”, a showcase event that is not to be missed, will also provide a platform for the dissemination of information, for example, for sharing business opportunities, exchanging cultural diversity, raising awareness of the conservation of culture, nature, and heritage as well as encouraging community tourism.

The fair will open from 10 am to 8 pm and the students are allowed to enter the fair free of cost.

Addressing as the chief guest, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali will inaugurate the fair. Mokammel Hossain, secretary of the civil aviation ministry, and Mahbubul Alam, FBCCI president will also present in the inaugural function.

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3-day Int’l tourism fair kicks off in Dhaka

After a break of over two years, the long-awaited international travel and tourism fair "Dhaka Travel Mart '' began at the Ball Room of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city on Thursday (2 June). 

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali formally inaugurated the fair as the chief guest, reads a press release. 

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman (Senior Secretary) of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Jashim Uddin, President of  FBCCI as the   special guest and guest of honor respectively.

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Kazi Wahidul Alam, Editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, also the organiser of the tourism fair in his speech on the occasion said," Our main objective is to help accelerate recovery of the travel and tourism sector of the country, which was badly hit by the devastating pandemic.

We have tried to create a platform for the sellers to showcase and promote their travel products and services while buyers will have the opportunity to choose their needed services directly."

Wahidul Alam informed that a total of about 50 organisations, representing national tourism organisations, airlines, tour operators, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, online travel agencies, and healthcare service providers from home and abroad are taking part in the DTM 2022. 

Visitors during 3 days of the fair can enjoy attractive offers from the participating organisations including discounts on air tickets and hotel accommodation, tour packages among many others. Co-sponsor of the fair US-Bangla Airlines offers a 10 percent discount on domestic and 20 percent on international air tickets for travel to any destination in its network. In addition, anyone purchasing two return tickets for Cox's Bazar or Maldives will get a complimentary hotel room for two nights. Airline Partner Biman Bangladesh Airlines offers an attractive discount of up to 20 percent on air tickets for travel to select international destinations in its network. Title Sponsor Triplover offers 5 percent cash back for B2B clients.

On the sideline of the fair a seminar on "Prospect of Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub" will be held on June 4 at 3.30 pm. Air Vice Marshall M. Mafidur Rahman, Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will present the key-note paper while Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud MP, Managing Director, Fly Dhaka; Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, Managing Director and CEO, Biman Bangladesh Airlines; Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Managing Director, US Bangla Airlines; Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director, Novoair; Imran Asif, Managing Director, Air Astra and Wing.Com. Nazrul Islam, Managing Director, United Airways BD Ltd. will participate as Discussants.  

The 3-day fair can be visited every day from 10 am to 8 pm on payment of an entry fee of Tk. 40 per person.  Visitors can win attractive door prizes in the raffle draw, which will include airline tickets to Maldives, Singapore, Delhi, Sharjah, Kolkata, Cox's Bazar and many others.

Leading Online Travel Agency (OTA)Triplover is playing host as Title Sponsor of the fair while the biggest private-sector airline in the country US- Bangla Airlines is the Co-sponsor. National carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) are the Partners of the DTM-2022. The Bangladesh Monitor is hosting the Dhaka Travel Mart for the 17th year.

The inaugural ceremony was also addressed by Nisha Tasnim Shaikh, Head of Operations Triplover; Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Managing Director, US- Bangla Airlines;  Mofizur Rahman, Managing Director NOVOAIR; Md. Zahid Hossain, Director Marketing and Sales, Biman Bangladesh Airlines; Md. Ali Kadar, Chairman, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber Acting CEO, Bangladesh Tourism Board.

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10th Asian Tourism Fair begins Thursday

• 150 tourism companies participating
• Open 10am-7pm till Saturday
• Entry fee: Tk30, students free
• Raffle draw opportunities available

In alignment with the ongoing “Mujib's Bangladesh” celebrations and to pay homage to Bangabandhu, the 10th edition of the Asian Tourism Fair will take place at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka from Thursday to Saturday.

Mohiuddin Helal, chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair (ATF), announced the dates during a press conference on Tuesday.

This year, approximately 150 tourism companies from various countries, including Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Dubai are expected to participate in the fair.

Visitors can look forward to a variety of enticing packages, discounts, and offers tailored for both business-to-business (B2B) enterprises and tourists.

The fair will be open to visitors from 10am-7pm every day.

The entry fee for the fair is Tk30. However, students can gain free admission by registering online.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in raffle draws with the chance to win attractive prizes.

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S Africa proposes ‘innovative’ medical tourism plan allowing use of rhino horn

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South Africa is proposing allowing tourists to use rhino horn powder within its borders for its claimed medicinal effects as part of a wider strategy designed to extract more economic value from the country’s wildlife.

The government is also pushing a six-fold increase in the consumption of game meat, such as antelope, to R28bn ($1.5bn) by 2036 and a similar increase to R11.6bn of plant trade and bioprospecting, which involves the use of plants for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

The revamped 10-year plan, known as the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy, envisages particular financial benefits for Black communities historically excluded from the white-dominated wildlife and conservation industries.

It will include the expansion of game ranches and hunting on communal and traditionally held lands. Another goal is to increase the amount of land set aside for conservation from 20mn hectares to 34mn hectares by 2040, while enabling primarily Black communities to benefit economically.

Barbara Creecy, the environment minister, told the Financial Times that the proposals were a way of ensuring that “people in rural areas have an incentive for conservation”. If poorer South Africans living around game reserves were simply excluded, some would resort to land invasions and poaching, she said.

Annette Hübschle, an expert on wildlife conservation at the University of Cape Town, said the proposals challenged what she called a “fences and fines” approach to conservation that was in part a legacy of apartheid. She said the strategy looked “interesting on paper, but the proof of the pudding will be whether it translates into workable solutions”.

South Africa is home to roughly 80 per cent of the world’s wild rhinos, including some black rhinos which are classified as “critically endangered”. Creecy said 450 rhinos were poached last year.

The controversial plan acknowledges international support for a ban on the trade of rhino horn and elephant tusks under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), but says that South Africa should explore “innovative approaches” to domestic trade.

The strategy document includes allowing initiatives such as “health clinics to administer traditional remedies using rhino horn for health tourists from the Far East, or ivory carving being done locally for local sale and export for personal use”.

The plan, which has been approved by South Africa’s cabinet but is out for public consultation prior to its implementation, has sharply divided opinion.

Creecy said she was unsure if the proposal on rhino horn would “survive the public comment process”. There was a potential contradiction, she conceded, between South Africa’s position that rhino horn had no medicinal properties and its proposal to market it for medical tourism.

Rhino horn is made of keratin, which is the same protein that helps form human hair, nails and skin. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed to be a cure for fevers and snake bites and, more recently, has even been proposed as treatment for some forms of cancer.

Critics have branded South Africa’s plan a crude form of “extractive conservation” and say it applies a “farming ethic” to wild animals. Don Pinnock, a lecturer in criminology, said in an article in the Daily Maverick that the emphasis on “consumptive use” and game hunting risked permitting “poaching to be laundered within the legal framework”.

But there has also been strong support. Wandile Sihlobo, an agricultural economics lecturer at Stellenbosch university, said: “What the government is saying is, ‘Let’s give the communities an economic incentive to take care of these lands and assets.’ Having an environment that is pristine and people who are hungry is not fair. We have to find a balance.”

Sihlobo added that a large stock of horns had been created mainly from rhinos who had been trimmed to discourage poaching. “We have spent decades fighting poachers, so we should be open to this economic solution,” he said.

Kevin Leo-Smith, a director at Rhino Revolution, which advocates for “any positive approach” to conservation, including sustainable use of rhino horn from live animals, said the overall biodiversity strategy was an important step in applying an economic lens to conservation.

The medical tourism component was “creative”, he added, emphasising that the key was to make “a live rhino worth more than a dead rhino”.

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