The 3-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026, showcasing travel and tourism offerings from home and abroad, will begin in Dhaka on Thursday at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).
Details of the fair were unveiled at a press conference held at a city hotel in Gulshan on Monday, addressed by ATF Chairman Mohiuddin Helal.
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman was present as chief guest.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and supported by BPC and the Bangladesh Tourism Board, this year's fair will feature over 200 organisations from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, across nearly 300 booths in three halls.
Hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agents, airlines, public and private tourism bodies, and foreign missions will showcase their products and services along with attractive offers for visitors.
Key attractions include the "Destination Bangladesh Showcase," "International Tourism Showcase," and "Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase," alongside B2B sessions, seminars, destination presentations, panel discussions, product promotions and networking events.
Cultural performances from Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines will be held every evening.
"ATF 2026 will play a significant role in fostering business linkages among tourism stakeholders at home and abroad, promoting tourism products, and creating new investment opportunities in Bangladesh's tourism sector," said Helal.
Helal said the fair has given importance to region-based tourism, including haor tourism, Sundarbans-centric tourism, river tourism, adventure tourism, community tourism and eco-tourism, while also providing a platform for foreign organisations to promote their own tourism offerings.
This year's fair has been planned keeping in mind the participation and demand of children, students, and tourism sector entrepreneurs and visitors, with efforts made to ensure the involvement of women entrepreneurs and community tourism stakeholders.
Samimuzzaman said such international fairs are vital for the growth of Bangladesh's tourism industry, adding that the coordinated participation of public and private sectors through ATF helps highlight the country's tourism potential and investment opportunities both at home and abroad.
He noted that the Asian Tourism Fair has emerged as an important platform for Bangladesh's tourism industry.
He further said the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has endorsed the fair, with BPC extending overall cooperation and participation.
Representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, Maldives and Malaysia, along with various partner and sponsor organisations, were present at the press conference, where they highlighted their preparations and discount offers ahead of the upcoming winter tourist season.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat is scheduled to inaugurate the fair as chief guest while the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs minister is expected to attend the closing ceremony the as chief guest on September 19.
Entry fee for visitors is set at Tk 30, with entry coupons offering a chance to participate in a raffle draw. Winners will receive air tickets along with various attractive travel prizes and gift vouchers, both domestic and international.