Cox's Bazar airport to be upgraded: minister

The government is set to upgrade Cox's Bazar's domestic airport soon to attract more foreign tourists to the country, the civil aviation and tourism minister said yesterday.
“We are trying to attract more foreign tourists to the country. For that, the government has made a master plan, where we have identified Cox's Bazar and Kuakata as prime destinations for travellers,” Faruk Khan said.
“We have identified the airport in Cox's Bazar as a priority project,” he added. “We hope the airport will turn into a regional hub and attract more tourists from all over the world to the world's longest sea beach.”
The minister spoke at the Freshers' Reception of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the Business Studies Faculty at Dhaka University.
“We have also plans to construct a cricket stadium and a golf course for tourists.” he added.
The minister stressed that students should gain expertise in tourism and hospitality management to fill the dearth of skilled manpower in the sector.
The government is trying to solve the problems faced by tourists, and the proposed Bangladesh tourism law would be helpful in this regard, Khan said.
AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice chancellor of Dhaka University, stressed training and professional education to boost the tourism industry that can contribute more to the national economy.
Mubina Khondoker, chairperson of the department, presided over the session, and Jamal Uddin Ahmed, dean of Business Studies Faculty, also spoke.