Tk 2,000cr lost in unrest, tour operators say

The tourism sector lost around Tk 2,000 crore due to cancellations of planned tours by foreign travellers amid the drawn-out political violence, according to Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB).

Tour operators were badly affected by the current political chaos that began on January 06, said Iftakhar Alam Bhuiyan, a director of the association.

Hotels, resorts and tour operators have reported that foreigners have completely cancelled their bookings due to fear of attacks, Bhuiyan said.

Bhuiyan spoke for the 300 members of TOAB at a discussion at the National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday.

TOAB President Akbaruddin Ahmad presided over the event. 

"We are on the verge of destruction. It is one of the promising sectors for earning foreign currency," Bhuiyan said.

Tourist vehicles and spots should be kept out of the purview of strike and blockade, he said.

The government should also provide special incentives to help tour operators offset the recent losses, Bhuiyan said. "The industry should be exempted from value added tax."

He also urged the government to provide special financial assistance to tour operators, along with allowing duty-free import of vehicles for the tourism industry.

"We want a solution to the crisis. We want support from the government and the political parties," said Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir, chief executive officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board.