Bangladesh plans to ease visa procedure for foreign tourists

The government is working on easing the visa procedure for foreign tourists, aiming to boost the country’s travel and leisure industry.

 

“We have to ease our visa procedure system to attract more foreign tourists … we are working on it keeping tourism potentials in our mind,” State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali said.

 

He made the remark on Thursday while inaugurating the country’s oldest flagship tourism fair, ‘Dhaka Mart’ at a city hotel.

 

The state minister said his ministry would arrange an inter-ministerial meeting comprising all tourism stakeholders to review the progress of ongoing efforts on easing to get Bangladesh tourist visa.

 

Ali said the seven Indian south-western states, popularly called as Seven Sisters, as well as landlocked neighbours Nepal and Bhutan don’t have any sea beaches, reports BSS.

 

“So, if we can make their entry to Bangladesh easy, we will get many tourists from these neighbouring countries,” he added. 

 

“We want foreign tourists will come to Bangladesh on a cruise ship while his or her immigration procedure to be completed inside the ship,” he added.

 

Ali hoped that the new terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), metro rail, Padma Bridge, and upgrading of Cox’s Bazar airport into an international one would give a boost to the country’s travel and leisure industry.

 

“We are working on making a master plan to flourish our tourism industry as per international standard in a coordinated and planned way,” he added.