The three-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026, designed to exhibit domestic and international travel and hospitality packages, is scheduled to kick off in Dhaka on Thursday at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).

The comprehensive itinerary and logistical particulars of the exposition were disclosed during a press conference hosted at a venue in Gulshan on Monday, featuring an address by ATF Chairman Mohiuddin Helal.

Md Shamimuzzaman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), graced the occasion in the capacity of chief guest.

Officially endorsed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and backed by both the BPC and the Bangladesh Tourism Board, the upcoming exhibition will bring together more than 200 entities representing 10 nations, including Bangladesh, distributed across approximately 300 booths spanning three separate halls.

Hotels, luxury resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, commercial airlines, state and private tourism authorities, and foreign diplomatic missions will present their respective services and merchandise alongside exclusive promotional packages for attendees.

Primary highlights of the event comprise the "Destination Bangladesh Showcase," "International Tourism Showcase," and "Bangladesh Tourism Investment Showcase," complemented by business-to-business networking sessions, technical seminars, destination briefings, panel assemblies, promotional displays, and networking gatherings.

Evening programs will feature vibrant cultural presentations performed by artists hailing from Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines.

"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," Helal stated.

Helal additionally noted that the exhibition places special emphasis on regional tourism segments, encompassing wetland haor excursions, Sundarbans-focused expeditions, river cruises, adventure sports, community-based travel, and eco-tourism, while concurrently offering an ideal platform for international participants to advertise their unique travel attractions.

Organizers have structured this year's installment with strict consideration for the preferences and requirements of children, students, industry entrepreneurs, and general visitors, while placing focused emphasis on ensuring robust representation from women entrepreneurs and community-level tourism advocates.

Shamimuzzaman observed that such large-scale international expositions are indispensable for advancing Bangladesh's travel industry, remarking that collaborative involvement from both public and private sectors via the ATF platform effectively accentuates the nation's tourism capabilities and commercial prospects locally and globally.

He highlighted that the Asian Tourism Fair has successfully established itself as a premier venue for the expansion of Bangladesh's tourism sector.

He further reiterated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has officially backed the initiative, with the BPC providing comprehensive cooperative support and active participation.

Delegates representing Thailand, the Philippines, the Maldives, and Malaysia, alongside various corporate sponsors and partner entities, attended the media briefing to outline their preparations and announce special discount schemes tailored for the approaching winter travel season.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat is slated to formally open the exhibition as chief guest, while the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs is anticipated to preside over the concluding ceremony as chief guest on September 19.

General admission is priced at Tk 30 per visitor, with each entry ticket serving as a coupon for an exclusive raffle draw offering winners domestic and international airline tickets alongside an array of appealing travel rewards and gift vouchers.