Md Masud Alam Sagar, Bureau Chief, Chattogram Division

A change in outlook and mindset is necessary to fully harness the vast potential of Bangladesh’s tourism sector, Chattogram District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah has said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion held at the conference room of Chattogram Circuit House on Sunday (September 27) to mark World Tourism Day. This year’s theme was “Tourism of Tomorrow: Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence.”

The district commissioner said the country’s tourism potential was not being fully utilised due to a lack of planning and research, inadequate tourist-friendly services and failure to properly promote Bangladesh’s tourist destinations internationally.

“Tourists’ safety, comfort and quality of services must be given priority,” he said, stressing the need to showcase the natural beauty of Chattogram and the Chattogram Hill Tracts—including their seas, hills and lakes—on the international stage.

Highlighting the opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector, he urged hotel and restaurant owners, tour operators and other stakeholders to come forward and contribute to the sector’s development.

He also asked hotel and restaurant owners to submit lists of their employees to the district administration, saying they would subsequently be brought under health screenings and training programmes.

Police Superintendent of Tourist Police Chattogram Region Uttam Prasad Pathak, Additional District Commissioner (General) Md Sharif Uddin, Chattogram City Corporation Regional Executive Officer Zobaida Akter, government officials and representatives of the tourism sector attended the discussion.