Four-day tourism fair and food festival begins at Rajshahi University, to run until 7 November

The four-day fourth 'Tourism Fair and Food Festival-2026' has begun at Rajshahi University (RU), organised by the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The event will run until 7 November.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Faridul Islam inaugurated the fair at 11am on Wednesday (4 November). The formal opening was announced by cutting a cake.

After the inauguration, a colourful rally was held with the participation of teachers and students. The rally went around various roads on the campus.

The fair brings together tourism, heritage, culture and a variety of food. It features food stalls, local handicrafts, initiatives by entrepreneurs and colourful cultural performances. The fair will run every day from 8am to 8pm in front of the Rabindranath Thakur Academic Building of the university.

The four-day programme includes cultural performances by small ethnic communities, Alkap, Gambhira, musical programmes and performances by various cultural organisations including the RU Dance Club.

At the inauguration ceremony, Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) CEO Barrister Montasim Billah Faruqi said: 'No one in the tourism department stays unemployed. Such events give students a chance to gain practical experience as well as develop professional skills. Students can establish themselves as tour guides, mentors, tour operators and hospitality operators.'

He added: 'Tourism can become one of the driving forces of Bangladesh's economy. For that, alongside renovating and modernising tourist centres, the history and heritage of those places must be presented on the world stage.' He also said universities can play an important role in introducing Bangladesh's tourism industry globally, and that the Tourism Board will always stand beside such initiatives.

In his speech as chief guest, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Faridul Islam said: 'Such events are extremely important for students to gain practical knowledge and skills. Through them, students get the opportunity to develop their creativity, leadership skills and organisational capacity. They also gain a realistic idea of the potential and obstacles of the country's tourism industry.'

He added that Bangladesh is a country rich in natural beauty, history, heritage and culture. To use that potential, skilled and trained manpower must be created, and universities can play an important role in this. Rajshahi University also wants to contribute to the development of the tourism industry through education, research and practical activities, he said.

In his closing speech, the department's chairman, Dr Md Mazedul Islam, said: 'Bangladesh's tourism industry has immense potential. But to use that potential, skilled tour guides, tour operators, hospitality managers and tourism entrepreneurs must be created. We want our students not only to be job seekers, but to create new employment opportunities in this sector with their skills and creativity.'

The ceremony, chaired by department chairman Dr Md Mazedul Islam, was attended by BTB chief executive Barrister Montasim Billah Faruqi as chief patron. Former BTB chief executive Jabed Ahmed attended as keynote speaker. Special guests included BTB director and joint secretary Abu Selim Mahmud-ul Hasan, the university's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md Abdul Alim and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Treasurer (retd) Professor Motiar Rahman.