Bring back foreign airlines to Ctg

The gradual closure of commercial operations of foreign airlines to Chattogram is a matter of concern and it would leave a negative impact on the region's tourism, experts said yesterday.

The civil aviation and tourism ministry should take immediate measures to bring back the foreign airlines, they said.

They spoke at the opening of a three-day international tourism fair—Chittagong Travel Mart 2018—that began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday.

Chattogram is an important city and it has immense tourism potential, said Kazi Wahidul Alam, editor of The Bangladesh Monitor, a travel and tourism fortnightly which has organised the show.

He urged the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to find out what made international airlines close their operations in Chattogram.

“We have been organising the show for the last nine years and we hope to arrange the event on a bigger scale in the future.”

Twenty two organisations, including airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels and resorts, set up stalls at the fair offering discounts of different amounts.

US-Bangla Airlines, a private carrier, has come up with a 15 percent discount on tickets of all domestic and international routes.

At the fair, US-Bangla is also providing tour operators with special offers on the sales of holiday packages of the carrier.  

“More people are visiting the stall of Regent Airways this year compared to the previous years,” said Sardu Sikandar, an official of the airline.

AJM Nasir Uddin, mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, opened the show and stressed the need for coordination among the public and private sectors for the overall development of the country's tourism.

Mahbubul Alam, president of CCCI, called for establishing better connectivity and improvement of tourism facilities.

“Millions of dollars can be earned if we can harness the tourism potential of the region.”

Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) has taken an initiative to draw up the much-awaited tourism master plan for the country and tender has also been floated for the appointment of consultant, said Md Jahangir Hossain, CEO of the board.

The BTB also plans to run a global digital marketing campaign and expects the initiative to show result in the next six months, he said.

The fair will remain open for visitors from 10.30am to 8pm every day.

Mustak Luhar, general manager of the Peninsula Chittagong, also spoke.