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Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Falgun 5, 1422 BS, Jamadiul Awwal 6, 1437 Hijri


Experts for separate ministry to boost tourism industry
Staff Correspondent
Published :Wednesday, 17 February, 2016,  Time : 12:00 AM  View Count : 43
Tourism experts on Tuesday underscored for a separate ministry to strengthen the tourism industry which can contribute in boosting country's economy.
"Tourism is a big sector to develop economy but unfortunately we have no separate ministry to nourish the sector," Bangladesh Tourism Society Chairman Nazrul Islam Lelin said at a seminar in city.
The Prime Asia University organized the seminar on "Employment Opportunities for Women in the Hospitality Industry of Bangladesh".
Affiliation with Civil Aviation Ministry is a big barrier in developing of tourism sector as it is very difficult to take important decision of the two sectors at the same time, he said.
The ministry cannot concentrate to attract tourists though the country has huge prospect on tourism, he added.
Meanwhile, the government announced this year as tourism year.
Citing statistics of the number of tourists in neibouring countries, he said last year over 60 lakh tourists visited Myanmar, most of them are Chinese and Thai tourists, 20 lakh are Bangladeshi among 40 lakhs in India, but Bangladesh has more prospect than those countries to attract more tourists.
School of Business Faculty Dean of the university Prof Dr Habibur Rahman underscored that the government should focus in the sector to develop the industry as we have half of women of total population and have instinct of hospitality.
The government can take initiative for women entrepreneurship in this sector as half of the total population is women, he said.
Head of the Department of International Tourism and Hospitality Management of Prime Asia Prof Dr A R Khan said the government announced this year as tourism year but awareness programme yet to be seen in the district and upazila level which is very important to have success.
People have a taboo that tourism means hotel and hotel means unsocial activities, the government should work to break this taboo, he said adding that along with the government the general people should come forward in this sector.
He also suggested forming of tourism club, tourism affairs editor in political parties etc.
The number of women employee is 1,116 among 11,273 in 132 hotels across the country said Sabrina Rahman while presenting key note. 







Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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