Casinos should be allowed for foreigners: Secretary

Civil aviation and tourism secretary Md Mohibul Haque has said casinos should be allowed for foreigners at exclusive tourist zones, reports UNB.

"I think it would be better if there's a system that foreigners can visit casinos only with their passports," he said while addressing a press conference at the ministry's conference room on Tuesday.

The press conference was organised on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

"There'll be exclusive tourist zones in Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and Cox's Bazar. We've a plan so that foreigners can go to casinos at the exclusive tourist zones with their passports like other countries," the secretary said.

He, however, supported the ongoing drive against illegal casinos in Dhaka.

Admitting that they could not make any substantial contribution to the tourism sector so far, Mohibul said a master plan has been devised to develop the sector.

Civil aviation and tourism affairs state minister Md Mahbub Ali said the World Tourism Day will be observed this year on 27 September with the theme: Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All.

"We're trying to develop the tourism sector. A survey was conducted on the Sundarbans by BUET and their report is in the final stage. We'll take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of tourists as well as make the visit of foreigners to Bangladesh more enjoyable," he said.
Last year, around 150,000-200,000 foreign tourists visited Bangladesh, secretary Mohibul said.