Sixteen receive first ever Bangladesh Tourism Awards

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat handed over the awards at a discussion and award ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here this afternoon, marking the World Tourism Day.

Sixteen individuals, organisations and initiatives today received the Bangladesh Tourism Awards 2026 in recognition of their contributions to sustainable tourism development, service improvement, innovation and community participation.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat handed over the awards at a discussion and award ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here this afternoon, marking the World Tourism Day.

This award recognised for their outstanding achievements in 16 categories, covering digital transformation, tourism conservation and the promotion of women and young entrepreneurs, among other areas.

A jury board comprising representatives of public and private sector stakeholders evaluated the nominations and selected the winners.

Shakawath Hossain's "Six Control Point for Food Cost Optimization" won the Best Sustainable Tourism Initiative of the Year award.

InterContinental Dhaka was named Best Five-Star Hotel of the Year, while Hotel Agrabad received Best Four-Star Hotel of the Year and HANSA - A Premium Residence by UHTPLC won Best Three-Star Hotel of the Year.

The Bengal Tours Limited received Best Inbound Tour Operator of the Year, while ShareTrip Ltd won Best Domestic Tour Operator of the Year.

Fantasy Kingdom Complex was named Best Amusement Park of the Year.,

Bangladesh Eco Adventure won Best Young Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year, while Charubala Homestay and Tours received Best Homestay of the Year.

Abu Mohammad Salahuddin (Sumon) was named Best Tourism Content Creator of the Year, while BD Tickets received Best Tourism Technology Initiative of the Year.

Nurani Sharmin Afroze won Best Female Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year, and MV Malisha was named Best Tourist Vessel of the Year.

Mohammad Sarwar Jahan (Mithu) received Best Tour Guide of the Year, while Seven International Limited won Best MICE Initiative of the Year, a category covering meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

Naim Abir received the Best Tourism Journalism of the Year award.

Speaking as the chief guest M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said a national tourism committee, chaired by the prime minister, has been formed to consider stakeholder proposals.

'Cox’s Bazar would be developed as a tourism hub, direct international flights are planned, and international operations are expected from the first week of November. River, water-based, cultural, heritage and event tourism will also receive greater attention,' he added.

Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Barrister Mutasim Billah Farooqi delivered the welcome address, saying, preparations for a national tourism master plan are underway, alongside work on tourism policy and identification of potential destinations. The government aims to raise tourism’s contribution to GDP from around 3% to 7%.

Farooqi said 586,000 international visitors entered Bangladesh last year. Increasing arrivals and employment will require better facilities, infrastructure, international tourism fair participation, easier visa procedures and global promotion of Bangladesh, he said.

Tourist Police Additional IGP GM Azizur Rahman also spoke on the occasion. He said the force now operates in 32 districts and 130 tourist locations, where it has served more than 60 million domestic and 10,000 international visitors. He called for specialized tourism training.

While addressing the event, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md. Shamimuzzaman further mentioned 60 projects worth Tk19,000 crore have been proposed, with efforts underway to attract private and foreign investment through PPP arrangements.

Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter urged public-private cooperation would be essential, while work continues on visa policy, travel agency regulations and a Tourism Satellite Account.