The 12th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) officially commenced today at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), marking the largest tourism exhibition ever held in Bangladesh.
The three-day event, running from September 18 to 20, features over 200 exhibitors from 20 countries.
The ATF Dhaka is organised by Bangladeshi travel and tourism magazine The Parjatan Bichitra.
The event is endorsed by Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and government of Bangladesh, and supported by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) and tourism trade association at home and abroad.
This year’s expo’s tagline “Connecting Regional Tourism,” aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration and promote sustainable travel across Asia.
Countries which took part in earlier editions of the fair include: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China, Korea, Sri Lanka, Japan, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, Philippine, Singapore, Lithuania and Maldives.
Malaysia returns as a feature country, showcasing its tourism offerings through immersive displays.
Mutual Trust Bank is the title sponsor of the fair, where national tourism organisations, airlines, tour operators, and hospitality groups will be the key exhibitors.
Bangladesh’s tourism sector is prominently represented, with local operators promoting destinations such as the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Cox’s Bazar—the world’s longest sea beach—tea gardens in Sylhet, and Buddhist heritage sites in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Bangladesh was recently named one of the best-value destinations by Lonely Planet, and organizers are leveraging this recognition to boost inbound and outbound travel.
The fair includes a series of side events designed to engage both industry professionals and the general public.
These include seminars, workshops, skill conventions, cultural programmes, and a dedicated Bangladesh Tourism Night.
An award ceremony is scheduled to recognise contributions to the tourism sector.
Four tiers are offered: Standard, Semi Pavilion, Pavilion, and Prime Pavilion.
Logistical support is available only through nominated agents and for exhibitors with early bird registration.
The event also facilitates B2B and B2C networking sessions to encourage commercial partnerships and tourism development.
Visitor demographics span leisure travellers, corporate buyers, travel media, and academic researchers.
Organisers expect significant footfall over the three days, with the ICCB venue prepared to accommodate large crowds.
Bangladesh’s outbound tourism market is expanding rapidly, driven by increased flight connectivity and a growing middle class.
The fair aims to capitalise on this trend by promoting regional travel packages and enhancing visibility for participating destinations.
The ATF has been held regularly since its inception, with some exceptions.
It is considered a key platform for regional tourism stakeholders to exchange ideas, showcase products, and foster economic cooperation.
The fair will conclude on September 20 with closing remarks from organisers and government representatives.
