Emdadur Rahman Chowdhury Zia, Sylhet

Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer (Additional Secretary) Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber said that the government wants to make Sylhet the paradise of beauty for nature lovers.

To advance this potential tourism sector, government-private integrated initiatives involving the local people are needed.

He said this in the speech of the chief guest in the stakeholder consultation meeting on the role of tourism industry in promoting tourism and creating alternative employment in Sylhet at District Shilpakala Academy organized by the District Administration and Divisional Commissioner's Office at the initiative of Bangladesh Tourism Board on Thursday.

Bangladesh Tourism Board Director (Admin and Finance, Joint Secretary) Abu Salim Mahmud-ul Hasan spoke as a special guest in the consultation meeting with Divisional Commissioner Abu Ahmed Siddiqui, NDS in the chair. Head of International Labour Organization Chittagong Region Mr. Alex, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad and others spoke.

Subarna Sarkar, Deputy Director of the Local Government, gave a detailed discussion about the potential of new tourist spots in Sylhet.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Goainghat Touhidul Islam presented the progress of the Rock Museum.

In the stakeholder consultation meeting, Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber also said that if the problems faced by tourists at Sylhet's sightseeing spots can be identified and resolved quickly, the employment of the youth will increase. Sylhet, which is rich in diverse tourist attractions, should be exposed to the tourists of the country and outside the country.

Assuring to open a complete travel guide within 15 days in coordination with the district administration and divisional commissioner's office and to build a rich structure written I love Sylhet at the entrance of Sylhet, he said, development of communication system, adequate security system and sanitation system in tourist centers will be done to develop the community based tourism industry of Sylhet.

In the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board presented a set of recommendations including camping, river cruises, agri tourism, shopping centers selling local products, and various local food restaurants to promote tourism in Sylhet and create alternative employment.