TripZip.tours is a one-stop destination for all your travel-related dilemmas. Recently, it took on the mission to make travelling and exploring more convenient for all. In its work to connect, enable and empower youth and special groups, TripZip arranged a youth dialogue on tourism policy in association with Bangladesh Tourism Board and Bangladesh Integrated Rural Based Association. Youth travellers, youth initiators in the tourism industry, travelling photographers, famous mountaineers, travel guide associations, and resort associations were present in the session conducted by Kanij Fatima, Founder & CEO of TripZip.tours.

Findings from the dialogue

Setting up a proper hub or blog for travellers is crucial in Bangladesh since young people do not yet have a reliable source of information on travel, e.g. where to go, where to stay, prices, etc. Student exchange programs with other countries need to be initiated here to promote travelling since only a few universities in Bangladesh currently have such facilities.

Prices also need to be lowered for students and young visitors because they constitute the majority of the market. Budget transport options and cheap packages by travel guides for backpackers are also important in this regard.

Finally, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality needs to take more initiatives to promote youth travelling in Bangladesh. The industry as a whole needs to do more research in this field. For example, visa processing and travelling to lesser known destinations are posing problems since airport agents are not well versed in these matters. Business tourism could also be a great source of revenue in Bangladesh.

Notable panellists at the dialogue include Nikhil Ranjan Roy, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism; Khabir uddin Ahmed, President, Bangladesh Resort Association of Bangladesh; M A Mohit, President, Bangla Mountaineering & Trekking Club; Sadia Sultana Sompa, first female mountaineer in Bangladesh; and Masudur Rahman, Managing Director of Bengal Tours Ltd. & CEO of Travel Guide Association of Bangladesh.