Govt needs to be lenient in issuance of visas: minister

The government needs to be more liberal regarding the issuance of tourist visas to foreign citizens, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali said today.

He said Bangladesh's visa process also needs to be easier.

The junior minister was addressing a seminar titled, "Role of media in flourishing and development of tourism", organised by Aviation and Tourism Journalists Association of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital today.

With an indirect reference to alcoholic beverages, Mahbub Ali in his speech said, "Why would foreign tourists want to visit Bangladesh if they do not get the items they want to consume."

Pointing to the role of media in flourishing and development of tourism, Mahbub Ali said, for the sake of the state, the media should be aware of the negative issues so that the country does not suffer.

Mokammel Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, said, "We have conducted nationwide activities on World Tourism Day this year. We will make St Martin's Island free from plastic pollution. For this, the role of the media is necessary."

Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said, "Our neighbouring countries have come a long way in tourism. But, our tourism sector is lagging behind. We have more to do in this sector."

ATJFB President Tanjim Anwar said an action plan should be taken considering the media as a stakeholder in a bid to promote and develop the tourism sector in Bangladesh.