Dhaka, 1 December 2022
Hon. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism
Mr. Md. Mahbub Ali
Esteemed Secretaries of the Government of Bangladesh,
President of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) Mr. S. N.
Manzur Murshed (Mahbub),
Excellencies, the Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends from Media, and
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaste, As-salamu Alaykum, and Good Morning!
It is my pleasure to participate in this event.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere thanks to Mr. S. N. Manzur Murshed (Mahbub) and the ATAB team for this opportunity.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last three years, tourism sector was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the strict measures such as lockdown and travel restrictions, we had to moderate our expectations and exercise caution when it came to tourism and travel.
Now that the pandemic has subsided in our region and beyond, we all look forward to brighter prospects of tourism and people-to-people contacts. We may have become better in using technologies and meeting virtually, but nothing can substitute travel and human interactions.
In this context, I am confident that the organization of the Fair like this one will surely contribute to reviving the tourism sector, promoting tourism linkages between the participating countries, and further consolidating people-to-people relations among them.
Dear Friends,
The foundation of Nepal-Bangladesh bilateral relationship is built on civilizational, cultural, and linguistic linkages that have been cemented over the years.
Our historic bonds of friendship, cooperation, mutual respect have been consolidated by the tremendous goodwill and close contacts between the peoples of our two countries.
Travel and tourism have played a significant role in this regard. Our two countries offer unique touristic products- be it in the form of high mountains and soothing climatic condition of Nepal, or the longest sea beach and mangrove forests of Bangladesh.
I am pleased to learn that many Bangladeshi people consider Nepal as one of their preferred tourist destinations.
We have been branding Nepal’s tourism under the motto of “Lifetime Experiences” as Nepal offers a myriad of touristic experiences for lifetime.
Besides the eight out of ten highest mountains on earth, including the majestic Mt. Everest, Nepal is known for ever-flowing Himalayan rivers, large lakes, green valleys, plains, beautiful waterfalls, national parks, and sites of cultural and archeological significance.
Tourists can experience diverse travel experiences ranging from adventure tourism such as trekking, mountaineering, paragliding, and bungee jumping, to medical tourism to spiritual tourism to pilgrimage.
And most important of all, the greatest attraction of Nepal is its people with their widest smile. We believe in “atithi devo bhava”, meaning guests are like our gods.
This is just an impression of Nepal’s tourism potentials coming from a non-expert. However, we have a joint team of over 20 people, including the representatives of Nepal Tourism Board and Nepali travel and tour entrepreneurs, who are here to participate in this Expo.
I am confident that their participation will enhance more B2B exchanges and help the potential travelers get specific information about their preferred destination as well as exciting offers and tour packages to Nepal.
Before concluding, I take this opportunity to, once again, express my sincere thanks to the organizers for this opportunity, and wish this Expo all success:
- In giving further momentum to the revival of tourism sector.
- In contributing to consolidate the ‘organic links’ between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal,
- In strengthening the ties between Bangladesh and the participating countries, and
- In inspiring innovation, igniting entrepreneurship, and building stronger bonds between the peoples and societies of our countries
I thank you for your attention.
