Weeklong events planned to mark World Tourism Day today

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has announced a weeklong programme beginning today to mark World Tourism Day 2026, with a focus on digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape Bangladesh’s tourism sector.

The programme will feature a rally, bicycle rally, city tour, stakeholder meetings, diplomatic engagement, exhibitions, a seminar on AI and tourism, and the launch of the first Bangladesh Tourism Award.

The programme details were shared at a press briefing organised by the ministry at the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) office in Dhaka on Saturday.

This year’s global theme is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in separate messages marking World Tourism Day 2026, stressed the need to modernise the tourism sector through technology while ensuring sustainable and well-planned development.

The President stressed the effective use of technology and modernisation of tourism management to make the country’s tourism more suitable for domestic and foreign tourists.

He said Bangladesh is blessed with abundant natural beauty and holds immense potential in the tourism sector, noting that digital technologies and AI are reshaping tourism services globally.

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Against this backdrop, he described this year’s theme as timely and significant.

The President noted that the government is committed to advancing the tourism sector in a long-term, sustainable and well-planned manner.

“To this end, work is underway to formulate an integrated ‘National Tourism Master Plan’, encompassing 1,498 tourist attractions across the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called for transforming Bangladesh’s tourism industry into a modern, technology-driven, environmentally sustainable and world-class sector, saying tourism can play a vital role in generating employment, earning foreign exchange and promoting local economic development.

“Tourism also provides an important platform to showcase Bangladesh’s history, heritage, culture and natural beauty to the world,” the prime minister said.

Tarique Rahman said the World Tourism Day theme provides clear direction for reshaping the future of the industry, noting that artificial intelligence, big data and smart technologies can make tourism services more accessible, safe, extensive and people-centred while creating new employment opportunities.

Referring to the BNP election manifesto, he said the government has pledged to develop tourism as a modern and land-efficient service sector.

As part of the commitment, work is underway on a National Tourism Master Plan, modernisation of relevant laws and policies, and structural reforms in tourism management, he said.

Noting that more than 30 tourism clusters are being developed across the country, the Prime Minister said community, eco, rural, culinary, river and coastal tourism are also being promoted to ensure greater participation of local communities in the tourism economy.

The government is also facilitating the development of modern hotels, recreational facilities and tourist attractions through public-private partnerships, while expanding policy support and easier financing for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises and start-ups, he said.

For expanding international tourism, the Prime Minister said a target has been set to develop an extensive national air connectivity network by 2034, with the aim of establishing Bangladesh as an important aviation hub in South and Southeast Asia.

Weeklong programme

The celebrations will begin today with a rally at Parjatan Bhaban in Agargaon, followed by a bicycle rally and a free city tour for underprivileged children.

The Bangladesh Tourism Board will hold an exchange-of-views meeting with tourism stakeholders tomorrow, while a separate meeting with diplomats from key tourism source countries will be held on Wednesday.

The main World Tourism Day programme will be held on 3 October at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.

The event will feature thematic exhibition stalls showcasing Bangladesh’s traditional culture, cuisine, GI products, handicrafts, handloom and textiles, ethnic heritage and tourist destinations.