Affordable air ticket pricing crucial to boost tourism industry: ATAB chief
Tasnuba Akhter Rifa :
Affordable air ticket pricing is significant for boosting tourism industry in Bangladesh. The government has a crucial role in this regard said Abdus Salam Aref, the President of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB).
In a recent interview with The New Nation, Abdus Salam Aref discussed the progress of ATAB and the current state of the travel and tourism industry in the country.
Abdus Salam Aref is a visionary leader in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sector. Under his leadership, ATAB is currently playing a significant role in the country’s tourism industry.
Following the country’s independence, the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) was established to support travel agency owners. With around 4,500 members nationwide, ATAB plays a crucial role in the aviation industry and is a key stakeholder in civil aviation and tourism.
ATAB established the ATAB Tourism Training Institute (ATTI) to create skilled workers for the travel and tourism industry. Since 2022, Principal Abdus Salam Aref has successfully led the institute, making it profitable. ATAB’s future goal is to provide the highest level of service for travellers and tourists.
Aref discussed the impact of ticket syndicates on outbound passengers and ATAB’s role in dismantling them. He stated, “ATAB is an organisation of about 4,500 travel agencies in Bangladesh, functioning for 48 years. We hope the government’s task force will enhance transparency and accountability in this sector. With around BDT 40,000 crore in tickets sold annually, any irregularities can lead to significant financial losses and harm public interest. Constant monitoring and necessary actions are crucial to stop the syndicates.”
The President discussed ATAB’s role in implementing effective measures to ensure that air tickets remain affordable. He stated, “We recently raised the issue of excessively high airfares with the government, especially to make it easier for workers to buy tickets at lower prices. Following this, the government issued a circular on February 11 to reduce airfares. Several directives were issued to ensure that airline fares remain within people’s purchasing power and to prevent manipulation”
“One of the key directives is that for any outbound flight booking, the passenger’s name, passport, and visa must be provided. Bookings cannot be made without a passport copy. For the past four to five years, we’ve seen tickets being pre-booked without names or passport copies, causing artificial price hikes and shortages. This was pure manipulation.
The new directive has helped curb this malpractice. Manipulation has been reduced by approximately 40 to 50 per cent. Implementing strict monitoring is crucial for addressing this malpractice. By allowing passengers to book tickets based on genuine demand, we can effectively eliminate manipulation and drive down prices. This approach not only benefits travellers but also fosters a fairer and more transparent ticketing system.”
More airlines should operate flights to and from Bangladesh, and new international carriers should be encouraged to enter the market. National airlines like Biman Bangladesh should expand their capacity and fleet, especially increasing flight frequencies on Middle Eastern routes to meet high passenger demand.
“If this is done, citizens will prefer to travel with domestic airlines, and foreign currency will stay within the country. Moreover, it’s crucial to monitor and regularly review the operations of all airlines, including foreign carriers, to ensure they comply with rules and regulations. Any violations must be addressed promptly. The government’s role is vital in maintaining reasonable airfare.”
When asked about the current progress of the tourism sector in the country, Aref stated that “We have submitted several issues regarding travel agencies to the government, especially where infrastructure development is necessary. ATAB is urging the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to establish washrooms, changing rooms, and information centres at key tourist locations. Our association and private sector members are ready to help the government implement these facilities.”
ATAB actively resolves issues in the travel and tourism sector, collaborating with key government ministries, including Civil Aviation and Tourism, CAAB, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, ministries of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Industry, and Religious Affairs.
ATAB also plays a key role in improving air travel convenience and resolving problems faced by airlines and travel agencies.
When discussing the advancement of the tourism sector, he emphasised, “In domestic tourism, destinations like Cox’s Bazar, Kuakata, Sylhet, and the southern riverine regions attract travellers. Travel agencies offer packages to places like Rangamati, Bandarban, Sajek, and Sylhet, providing essential services from Dhaka. They also promote government initiatives to boost tourism.”
Aref shared his plans for ATAB’s “Visit Bangladesh” campaign: “Tourism is the easiest way to earn foreign currency. If we can effectively promote Bangladesh’s tourism potential at the global stage, we can attract a large number of foreign tourists. Currently, we are promoting this campaign by sharing pictures of tourist attractions around our country that have been visited. Social media serves as an unparalleled platform for connecting with a vast audience, and through it, we are promoting the stunning beauty of our country to the world. As we need significant remittance inflows, this campaign is designed to boost tourism and strengthen our economy.”
