Kamrul Hasan : State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat MP has said that the government is working with long-term plans to develop the tourism sector into one of the country’s major driving forces for economic growth, employment generation, and regional development. He stated that tourism is not merely an entertainment-oriented sector; rather, it is an effective means of earning foreign currency, revitalizing local economies, and showcasing the country’s culture and heritage to the global community. He made these remarks while addressing as the chief guest at the “TOAB International Tourism Award 2026,” organized by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) at Sheraton Dhaka in Banani, Dhaka, on Sunday (May 17) night. The State Minister said the present government is working to transform Bangladesh’s tourism industry into a sustainable and internationally competitive sector. To achieve this goal, an integrated tourism master plan has been adopted to develop, preserve, and promote 1,498 tourist attractions across the country at the international level. The master plan includes special emphasis on eco-tourism, adventure tourism, religious tourism, cultural tourism, and heritage-based tourism. He further noted that although Bangladesh’s tourism sector holds immense potential, it has not yet reached its full development. Currently, the tourism sector contributes around 3 percent to the country’s GDP. However, the government aims to increase this contribution to 8–9 percent within the next few years. To achieve this target, emphasis is being placed on infrastructure development, creating skilled human resources, ensuring a safe tourism environment, and providing international-standard services. The State Minister also highlighted the need for policy reforms in the tourism sector. He said the desired development of the tourism industry would not be possible without private sector participation. Therefore, realistic proposals have been invited from tour operators and related entrepreneurs to formulate time-befitting policies. He also expressed optimism about implementing infrastructure development projects in the tourism sector through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. According to him, coordinated initiatives between the government and private sector would help Bangladesh’s tourism industry become more competitive internationally. At the event, the State Minister presented honorary awards to 13 organizations in 13 categories under the “TITA 2026” awards in recognition of their special contributions to the country’s tourism industry. Relevant stakeholders believe that if the government’s tourism-friendly policies, new master plan, and initiatives to increase private investment are implemented successfully, the tourism sector could emerge as one of the strongest pillars of the national economy in the future. The sector is also expected to contribute significantly to overall national development by creating new employment opportunities and supporting rural economies and small entrepreneurs.