The 13th Biman Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair 2025, the country鈥檚 largest tourism festival, concluded successfully on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka.
This year鈥檚 fair witnessed the participation of around 40,000 visitors, with total sales and business transactions exceeding Tk 40 crore.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines alone sold tickets worth around Tk 3 crore over the three days.
Organized by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, the event featured Biman Bangladesh Airlines as the title sponsor, IHG as the gold partner, and bKash as the payment partner.
聽Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Nuzhat Yasmin attended the ceremony as the chief guest, alongside TOAB President Md Rafeuzzaman, Director (Trade and Fair) Md Taslim Amin Shovon, and other dignitaries.
In her speech, Nuzhat Yasmin said, 鈥極nce, tourism was considered a hobby. People have always had the urge to explore the unknown and see the unseen that curiosity gave birth to tourism.
聽Over time, it has evolved into a full-fledged industry. Many countries now treat tourism as one of their key economic sectors. In Bangladesh, we have tremendous tourism potential, but we are yet to reach our desired position, not because we lack resources, but because we haven鈥檛 utilized them properly.鈥�
She added, 鈥楾ourism is not a fixed concept; its elements can vary from nature and culture to food and traditions. It鈥檚 not just an economic activity, but a field driven by ideas and creativity. What鈥檚 authentically ours should define our tourism identity, not imitation of others.鈥�
Highlighting sustainability, Yasmin said, 鈥楾he most discussed topic in tourism today is the environment. Tourism is now a profession involving more than a dozen sub-sectors. While we must promote enjoyment and discovery, nothing should come at the cost of the environment. Sustainable practices will not slow us down, they will help us progress responsibly.鈥�
According to the organizers, 80 tourism-related organizations including airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, hospitals, and cruise lines participated this year, setting up 150 stalls in total.
Among the international participants were SriLankan Airlines, Air Arabia, Thai Airways, AirAsia, Turkish Airlines, and DrukAir.
TOAB reported highly positive responses from exhibitors.
聽Hotels and resorts offered special discounts on rooms and travel packages, with six institutions even selling shares, signaling growing foreign investment interest in the sector.
The fair brought together exhibitors, partners, sponsors, TOAB Board of Directors, company secretaries, and BTTF committee conveners.
National tourism bodies and associations from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan participated, alongside tour operators from the Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Turkey, and host country Bangladesh.
Visitors enjoyed exclusive discounts on air tickets, hotel bookings, and travel packages, while side events such as B2B sessions, seminars, award ceremonies, and country presentations enriched the fair.
A notable B2B networking session on 鈥楥onnecting Travel Trade Industries of Bangladesh and Nepal鈥� was held on the opening day, along with similar seminars featuring the Philippines, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Thirteen individuals, including three journalists, were recognized for their contributions to Bangladesh鈥檚 tourism sector during the fair.
Each day featured cultural programs and documentary screenings on local destinations. Visitors also enjoyed raffle draws and a special cashback offer on entry tickets through bKash.
The three-day event was inaugurated last Thursday by Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs.
