DHAKA, Mar 20, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today called for making the tourism sector tobacco-free.

“Smoking has been banned on airplanes; hotels must now be made smoke-free. The tobacco control law will soon be amended in this regard,” she said.

The adviser was addressing an award-giving ceremony titled ‘ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award 2025’, organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at Dhaka Club here.  

Farida Akhter said, “Through today’s event by ATJFB, a new horizon will be opened for women. The 10 women I saw today are established in their respective fields. Now, they will inspire other women in society.”

She further stressed the strong interconnection between the fisheries and livestock sector and the tourism and aviation industries. “Tourism and aviation cannot function without products like milk, eggs, fish, and meat,” she said.

The advisor also acknowledged the significant contributions of rural women to these sectors, emphasizing that their roles are equally vital in the growth and development of the industries.

In recognition of their significant contributions to Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors, 10 outstanding women were honored with the ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award 2025.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasrin Jahan handed over the awards to the winners.

First Officer Fariha Tabassum of Biman Bangladesh Airlines received the award in Pilot category while Engineering Officer Tahmina Akter of Biman was awarded in Aeronautical Engineer category. Manager of Ground Services Nilufa Yasmin got the award in Aviation Ground Services and Flight Steward Jinia Islam of Biman received the award in Cabin Crew category.

Additional Superintendent of Police Nadia Farzana from Tourist Police was given the award in the Tourism Security category while Hotel Sarina’s Chairperson Sabera Sarwar Nina won the award in the Hotel Entrepreneur category.

Sabira Mehrin Saba, Founder and CEO of Wonder Woman received the award in the Tourism Entrepreneur category.

Wamia Walid, Head of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at Galaxy Bangladesh, was recognized in the Promising Entrepreneur category.

Rita Nahar, Joint Editor of Baishakhi TV, received the award in Journalism category and Nazmun Nahar, first Bangladeshi to carry the national flag to 178 countries, was honored with the award in Travel category.

Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md. Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan, Managing Director and Biman CEO Dr. Md. Safiqur Rahman, ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar and General Secretary Baten Biplob also, among others, spoke on the occasion.