13th Asian Tourism Fair to begin in Dhaka on Sept 17

The 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026 will begin on September 17 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, bringing together more than 200 tourism-related organisations from 10 countries.

The three-day fair will continue until September 19 and remain open from 10am to 7pm each day.

Organised with the endorsement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and support from Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), the fair will feature around 300 booths across three halls.

The announcement was made at a press conference at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan on Monday. Md Mohiuddin Helal, editor of Parjatan Bichitra and chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair, briefed journalists on the event. BPC Chairman Md Samimuzzaman attended the press conference as chief guest.

Hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, government and private tourism organisations, as well as foreign embassies and missions, will showcase tourism products, services and special offers at the fair.

The event will feature the Destination Bangladesh Showcase, International Tourism Showcase and Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase, alongside B2B sessions, seminars, destination presentations, panel discussions, product promotions and networking opportunities.

Cultural performances from Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines will be held every evening.

“ATF 2026 will play an important role in strengthening business connections among domestic and international tourism stakeholders, promoting tourism products and creating new opportunities for tourism investment in Bangladesh,” Mohiuddin Helal said.

Samimuzzaman said tourism fairs were important for developing Bangladesh's tourism industry and promoting the country's tourism potential and investment opportunities.

“Through coordinated participation of the public and private sectors, ATF will help showcase Bangladesh’s tourism potential and investment opportunities both domestically and internationally,” he said.

The fair will put particular emphasis on regional and sustainable tourism, including haor, Sundarbans, river, adventure, community-based and eco-tourism.

International participants will also promote their respective destinations and tourism products.

Organisers said the fair would cater to children, students, tourism businesses and general visitors, with particular attention to women entrepreneurs and community-based tourism initiatives.

Representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, the Maldives and Malaysia, along with tourism-sector organisations, partners and sponsors, attended Monday's press conference.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the title sponsor of ATF 2026, while Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport is the Platinum Partner and Chuti Group Cox's Bazar the Co-Sponsor. Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan, Vhaiya Hotels and Sukher Khamar are the Hospitality, Investment and Agro-Tourism Partners respectively.

The fair will be inaugurated at 11am on September 17 at ICCB. The minister for civil aviation and tourism is scheduled to attend as chief guest, while the ministry secretary will be the guest of honour.

The closing ceremony will be held at 4pm on September 19, with the minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs scheduled to attend as chief guest.

Entry to the fair will cost Tk 30. Visitors purchasing entry coupons will also be eligible for a raffle draw featuring prizes and gift vouchers, including complimentary air tickets.

Organisers invited tourism professionals, travel enthusiasts and members of the public to attend the fair.