DHAKA, Feb 18, 2024 (BSS) - Civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan today said measures will be taken to incorporate tourism education in the country's secondary level curriculum to create skilled manpower in the leisure and tourism sector.
 
"We have already included tourism in university-level education to create skillful manpower in the tourism sector. Now, it is the time to include this subject in the secondary-level curriculum, and we will discuss the matter with the education ministry", the minister said. 
 
Faruk Khan outlined the plan during a meeting with the Executive Committee of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) held at the secretariat here, a press release said. 
 
Pledging to provide all types of facilities to stakeholders of the private tourism sector, the minister said the private tourism sector should come forward to boost the development of the country's tourism industry.
 
Discussing the abolition of advance tax, which is the long-standing demand of the country's private tour operators, the minister said that he would talk to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) regarding the abolition of such a tax on the total foreign currency bills collected by inbound tour operators through banking channels.
 
Khan said that he will also talk with the NBR about the duty-free vehicle import for tour operators to provide transport services for tourists. 
 
The minister said discussion is ongoing with the home ministry about expanding provision of on-arrival visas and introducing e-visas for intending foreign tourists to Bangladesh.
 
In addition, Khan informed that as part of the tourism promotion strategy, international social media celebraties are getting invitations to visit here and showcase Bangladesh's unparalleled beauty to the world audience. 
 
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Chairman AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Chief Executive Officer Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, TOAB President Shiblul Azam Koraishi and its executive committee members, among others, were present in the meeting.