Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today declared 2016 as the year of tourism.

"2016 will be the Visit Bangladesh Year," the prime minister said while inaugurating the two-day international conference on Buddhist Heritage and Pilgrimage Circuits at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre this morning

She mentioned that Bangladesh has signed a four-nation motor vehicle agreement with Bhutan, India and Nepal. "The government hopes it (the agreement) will help boost tourism in the region with an increase in tourists, trade and commerce."

Building exclusive tourist zone is underway at Sabrang in Teknaf upazila of the southern district Cox's Bazar in order to attract more foreign investment, she said, adding that an economic zone will also be set up beside it.

Citing different development activities in tourism areas including Cox's Bazar, Saint Martin and Kuakata, Hasina said building of an 82-km marine drive from Cox's Bazar town and Teknaf was underway.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry jointly organised the conference jointly. Besides the UNWTO chief, tourism ministers and officials from 13 countries including India, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar have taken part in the occasion. UNWTO Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai spoke as the special guest.