A new window of opportunity has opened in the tourism sector as around a hundred ocean cruise tourists recently visited several areas of Bangladesh's costal belt, putting the country on the world cruise map.

Tourists from 95 different nations visited Maheshkhali Island in Cox's Bazar and the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, between February 22 and 24 on a ship named Silver Discover.

The country earned Tk 35 lakh in foreign currency from that tour, said the tour operator Journey Plus yesterday at a press meet at the civil aviation and tourism ministry.

Another team with tourists from 67 nations will be in the country today to travel to different coastal regions as well.

“This trip will also bring in a similar amount of foreign exchange, and at the same time, help spread our reputation,” said Toufiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey Plus.

The government has taken this opportunity seriously and has arranged everything to make it possible; various ministries and government agencies play an important role here, said Rashed Khan Menon, tourism minister.

“Cruise tourists can play an import role in boosting the sector that can directly impact our economy,” said Menon.

The minister expects tour operators to take initiative and the government will sponsor them, he added.

Tourism Secretary SM Ghulam Farooque said the government will ensure all kinds of incentives to help flourish the tourism sector. There is a scope to earn foreign currency directly, and it is a good source of employment, he added.

Bangladesh has long been trying to be a part of ocean cruise tourism, like Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives among the South Asian countries. Myanmar made it to the list in recent years, according to Bangladesh Tourism Board.

Bangladesh observed tourism year in 2016, which the government extended for another year.

areas of Bangladesh's costal belt, putting the country on the world cruise map.

Tourists from 95 different nations visited Maheshkhali Island in Cox's Bazar and the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, between February 22 and 24 on a ship named Silver Discover.

The country earned Tk 35 lakh in foreign currency from that tour, said the tour operator Journey Plus yesterday at a press meet at the civil aviation and tourism ministry.

Another team with tourists from 67 nations will be in the country today to travel to different coastal regions as well.

“This trip will also bring in a similar amount of foreign exchange, and at the same time, help spread our reputation,” said Toufiq Rahman, chief executive of Journey Plus.

The government has taken this opportunity seriously and has arranged everything to make it possible; various ministries and government agencies play an important role here, said Rashed Khan Menon, tourism minister.

“Cruise tourists can play an import role in boosting the sector that can directly impact our economy,” said Menon.

The minister expects tour operators to take initiative and the government will sponsor them, he added.

Tourism Secretary SM Ghulam Farooque said the government will ensure all kinds of incentives to help flourish the tourism sector. There is a scope to earn foreign currency directly, and it is a good source of employment, he added.

Bangladesh has long been trying to be a part of ocean cruise tourism, like Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives among the South Asian countries. Myanmar made it to the list in recent years, according to Bangladesh Tourism Board.

Bangladesh observed tourism year in 2016, which the government extended for another year.