Three-Day Tourism Fair Opens in Dhaka on Thursday, More Than 20 Countries Taking Part
The three-day Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF)-2026 opens in Dhaka on Thursday (29 October), putting forward the ideas of artificial-intelligence-driven tourism and sustainable destinations. The fair will run until 31 October.
The fair, organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) for the 14th time, will be held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. Tourism organisations, airlines, hotels and tour operators from more than 20 countries will take part.
TOAB Director (Trade and Fair) Abul Baset Babu gave the details at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport in the capital. The fair's theme is 'AI Powered Tourism, Sustainable Destination', and its title sponsor is US-Bangla Airlines.
The organisers expect more than 200 booths and stalls at this year's fair. More than 220 exhibitors, more than 250 prospective buyers and more than 2,500 trade visitors will take part. The organisers hope more than 60,000 general visitors will visit the fair over the three days.
Representatives from Nepal, India, Singapore, the Maldives, the Philippines, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Azerbaijan, among other countries, will take part. Airlines, hotels and tour operators will be present in four theme-based exhibition halls.
TOAB Director Abul Baset Babu said that, following on from the previous 13 editions, BTTF has become one of South Asia's most important tourism platforms. The fair aims to present Bangladesh's tourism internationally, expand business contacts with foreign organisations, and create opportunities for new investment and trade.
TOAB President Mohammad Hanif said the three-day programme will include an opening ceremony, business-to-business (B2B) meetings for local and foreign businesses, seminars and cultural programmes. Visitors will be able to buy air tickets, hotel bookings and various tour packages at special discounts from the fair.
The TOAB president said Forest and Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu is expected to attend the fair's opening ceremony as chief guest.
At the press conference, US-Bangla Airlines General Manager (Public Relations) Md Kamrul Islam said the development of the tourism and aviation sectors needs practical initiatives, not just plans. Coordinated efforts by the private sector alongside the government are essential, he said.
He said US-Bangla, which started operations with two aircraft, now operates with 25 aircraft. The company says it plans to add 21 more Boeing aircraft to its fleet by December 2027. The airline currently operates flights to 14 destinations in 10 countries. It also plans to launch flights to London, Rome, Sydney, Toronto and New York within the next five years, he said.
Kamrul Islam said environmental conservation, protection of investors and accountability must be ensured for tourism development. He also stressed the extra fuel cost caused by the single runway at Dhaka airport, the effective use of the third terminal, and ensuring necessary facilities for transit passengers. He also called for adequate sightseeing and recreation facilities at tourist centres including Cox's Bazar.
TOAB President Mohammad Hanif said discussions are under way to resolve complexities with government offices on various tourism issues. The authorities concerned are also being contacted about tourism activities on St Martin's Island and tourist entry to the Sundarbans, he said.
The fair is supported overall by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the National Skills Development Authority, the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the Bangladesh Tourism Board, the Bangladesh Tourist Police and the FBCCI. Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the airline partner.
