Govt proposes massive tourism push, targets 6-7% of GDP

The finance minister today proposed a target of raising the tourism sector's contribution to GDP to 6–7 percent, without specifying a timeline, announcing a package of measures spanning heritage restoration, cultural festivals, eco-tourism development and professional training to drive that growth.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has been allocated Tk 1,884 crore in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said presenting the budget at parliament today. The allocation marks a 44.9 percent increase from the revised current year allocation of Tk 1,300 crore.

To encourage private investment in the sector beyond the two main cities of the country, the minister proposed granting an accelerated depreciation allowance for investments in tourism-related establishments and machinery located outside the Dhaka and Chattogram City Corporation areas, at the rate of 60 percent in the first year and 40 percent in the second year.

The implementation of ongoing aviation and airport development initiatives would accelerate the development of the tourism industry and support the achievement of the GDP target, he said. An investment roadmap is also being formulated to attract tourists and generate substantial employment in the sector.

To develop the skills base underpinning tourism, a specialised training institute meeting international standards will be established to improve the competitiveness of tourism professionals, said the minister. 

Besides, an International Hospitality Benchmark will be introduced to ensure globally recognised training standards across tourism-related trades, including culinary arts, he added.

The government also plans to provide internationally recognised certification for tourism trainees based on standards set by reputed global organisations.

“Furthermore, a timely and integrated ‘Tourism Master Plan’ will be finalized soon, incorporating the overall potential, diversity, and modern creative themes of the tourism sector,” said Khosru, who is also the planning minister.

CULTURAL TOURISM: FESTIVALS USING HERITAGES

On cultural tourism, the minister said special programmes would be implemented to develop the sub-sector through the preservation of heritage buildings, cultural assets and region-specific traditions.

“In the initial phase, two pilot projects based on 2–3 themes will be implemented for the restoration of heritage structures and for the organisation of international festivals,” he said, adding that efforts are also underway to identify the required technical expertise for heritage restoration and the hosting of international events.

To sustain visitor interest year-round, a monthly and thematic national and regional festival calendar will be developed featuring events such as winter pitha festivals, Baul festivals, Jamaai Mela in northern Bangladesh, and celebrations centred on the country's rivers and civilisational heritage.

Tourism also features in the government's regional development agenda. The budget proposes a comprehensive development programme for haor and wetland areas in which tourism is listed alongside agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity conservation as a pillar of sustainable livelihoods for those communities. 

The minister said the government was placing particular emphasis on eco-tourism and had undertaken extensive initiatives to unlock the sector's potential. The measures are spread across the creative economy, civil aviation and sports sections of the budget.

The budget also positions tourism as a revenue stream of the emerging sports economy, with the sports sector described as generating income through events, media, merchandise, tourism and services.