Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin spoke to reporters at a press conference organized by the ministry at the Secretariat this afternoon on the occasion of World Tourism Day. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Sept 25, 2025 (BSS) - Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir 
Uddin today highlighted a year of wide-ranging reforms and initiatives 
undertaken by the government to strengthen Bangladesh's tourism sector, while 
also announcing that Saint Martin's Island will reopen to visitors from 
November 1.

"Over the past year, our goal has been to ensure sustainable development, 
good governance, modernization, and dynamism in the country's tourism 
sector," said the adviser at a press conference at the Secreteriate this 
afternoon ahead of the World Tourism Day. 

He noted that National Tourism Day has been upgraded from category "G" to 
"K," raising the profile of the industry.

"We have revised and updated the Tourism Policy 2010 into the Tourism Policy 
2025 following consultations with stakeholders. The draft is now available 
online to receive further opinions," he said.

On regulation, Bashir said, the government amended the Travel Agency Control 
and Registration Act 2013 and the Travel Agency Registration and Control 
Rules 2022 to bring online travel agencies under the legal framework. 

"Revenue collection from travel agencies reached Taka 7.5 crore last fiscal 
year, 110 percent of our target. At the same time, we revoked the licenses of 
13 agencies for involvement in syndicates and fare manipulation."

He added that new guidelines on community-based tourism, safe haor tourism, 
and responsible marine tourism have been issued. 

Highlighting infrastructure progress, the adviser said six new regional 
offices of the Bangladesh Tourism Board are nearing completion, while a new 
Tourism Motel and Youth Inn has opened in Bagerhat to serve visitors to the 
historic Sixty Dome Mosque.

"To make Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation more transparent and profitable, we 
have launched Marketing Strategy 2025 and begun full-scale automation. 
Issuing receipts for food sales has been made mandatory, and action is being 
taken against violators," he noted.

On youth engagement, he said: "We have introduced entrepreneurship seminars, 
basecamp training, and volunteer programs. Already, 100 tourism volunteers 
have been trained in Cox's Bazar, and tour operators and guides are being up 
skilled."

He said festivals like Taste of Bangladesh in Dhaka and ethnic heritage 
festivals in Srimangal and Moulvibazar have brought our traditions to the 
global stage," he said.

Responding to a question, the adviser announced that Saint Martin's Island 
will reopen on November 1. 

He said that the tourism season will run until February while in November and 
December, visits will be limited to day trips, while in January and February 
overnight stays will be permitted. 

To preserve the island's biodiversity, no more than 2,000 tourists will be 
allowed per day, managed through a registration-based system," he told the 
media.

Looking ahead, the adviser stressed that the government views tourism as a 
key driver of development. 

"Through responsible and sustainable practices, Bangladesh will secure a 
strong and lasting place on the global tourism map," he said.

Civil aviation and tourism secretary Nasrin Jahan also spoke.