DHAKA, Sept 3, 2026 (BSS) – The three-day Bangladesh Travel Mart (BTM) 2026 began in the capital today, bringing domestic and international tourism businesses under one roof to foster trade, networking and stronger global market connectivity.

The maiden edition of BTM, organised by the Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA) at InterContinental Dhaka, has brought together tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, destination management companies (DMCs), tourism organisations and other travel service providers from home and abroad.

Around 100 exhibitors and 60 trade buyers are participating in the event, which is expected to draw some 15,000 visitors over three days, according to BOTOA.

Exhibitors are showcasing domestic and international tour packages, air tickets, hotel and resort bookings, visa services and special travel offers.

Visitors were seen gathering at different stalls on the opening day, seeking information about destinations and comparing tour packages, airfares, accommodation and visa services.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry’s Joint Secretary Dr Prakash Kanti Chowdhury inaugurated the fair, while Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Nina P. Cainglet and representatives from the government, tourism industry and participating organisations attended the opening ceremony.

Organisers said the travel mart aims to connect Bangladesh's tourism industry more effectively with international markets while facilitating direct business links between domestic and foreign tourism enterprises.

"We do not see Bangladesh Travel Mart merely as an exhibition. It is a platform for establishing direct connections between Bangladesh's tourism businesses and the international tourism market," BOTOA President Syed Golam Mohammad said.

"Our goal is to bring domestic and international buyers, sellers and tourism service providers under one roof to create tangible business opportunities," he added.

BOTOA General Secretary Md Shariful Islam Sharif said the association aims to develop BTM into an international-standard travel trade platform combining exhibitions with meaningful business networking and productive business-to-business (B2B) meetings.

"At the same time, general travellers will have an opportunity to directly compare offers from different companies and destinations," he said.

BTM is running separate B2B and business-to-consumer (B2C) segments for tourism professionals and general travellers.

Under the B2B segment, travel trade professionals can hold meetings and network with domestic and international buyers and sellers, while the B2C segment allows visitors to explore and compare tour packages, air tickets, accommodation, visa services and international destinations.

The travel mart will continue until September 5.