DHAKA, 2 April, 2021 (TON): State Minister presented a bill in the parliament to make the registration of tour operators compulsory.

On Saturday, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali presented the ‘Bangladesh Tour Operator and Guide (Registration and Operation) Bill-2021’ in the parliament.

The law, if passed, will regulate the activities of tour operators and tour guides for the development of the country's tourism sector and protect the interests of tourists.

The bill was later sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, asking it to examine the bill and submit a report to the parliament within a month.

Firstly, Jatiya Party senior MP Fakhrul Imam objected to the bill in parliament. His objection was later rejected.

However, according to the proposed law, any tour operator and tour guide must obtain a certificate from the designated authority of the government. Existing tour operators must obtain a registration certificate within three months of the law taking effect.