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National Tourism Council to bolster tourism growth
Holiday Report
The government has constituted a high-powered national committee led by Prime Minister. Two other committees have also been formed to coordinate development activities in tourism sector.
The government issued a gazette on the creation of the National Tourism Council on August 31. The new 11-member Council, announced in the gazette, will endorse all national and regional plans for infrastructure and tourism developments and implement tourism laws.
The government will also recommend financial support to entrepreneurs in the private sector through the 'National Tourism Council-2009’ law.
The council includes representatives from the ministries of Finance, Home, Local Government, Land, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Environment and Forest, Cultural Affairs and CHT Affairs.
As per the gazette, the ministries are bound to implement the decisions taken by the apex tourism committee.
Besides the Council, the Finance Minister will chair a high-profile committee and the National Advisory Council for Tourism has been formed to harmonise development activities in tourism sector. The three committees will take swift decisions to strengthen the tourism sector.
Private stakeholders would be included in the national advisory council, to receive advice and comments.
According to civil aviation and tourism ministry statistics, some 4.67 lakh foreign tourists visited Bangladesh in 2008, 2.65 lakh in 2007, two lakh in 2006 and 2.07 lakh in 2005. The government earned Tk 612 crore from the tourism sector in 2008.
Professionals have also expressed misgivings about the effectiveness of the changes that will follow formation of the three new committees.
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Foy’s Lake - far from the madding crowd
Holiday Report
Foy’s Lake Amusement World is a theme park located in the heart of Chittagong, in Foy’s Lake. Amusement World is located in the same complex as Sea World and Foy’s Lake Resorts.
The Foy’s Lake theme parks are located in a picturesque setting surrounded by hills, a lake and green forests located in Pahartali, Chittagong on approximately 320 acres of land.
Amusement World is a dry park with the usual theme park rides and attractions as well as boat rides on the lake, landscaping, restaurants, concerts with floating stages, scenic walking trails and many other fun activities. It even boasts of a resort hotel.
The biggest attraction is the beauty of the lake and its surrounding hills. The park is right in the middle of it so people can have the fun and thrills as well as the serenity and peacefulness of Foy’s Lake. It also hosts many corporate picnics and other events.
The park can accommodate a wide range of catered events to suit every need, like birthdays, BBQ Nights, corporate parties, picnics, school outings and cultural events, etc.
Guests can have their time together followed by thrills and laughs on our rides, or walks around the lake taking in its breathtaking beauty.
The Foy’s Lake Resort is a unique getaway in Chittagong where travellers can stay in luxurious accommodation while enjoying the natural beauty of Foy’s Lake and the entertainment of its two theme parks. Whether one is taking children on holiday, enjoying a corporate retreat or a romantic break, there is something for everyone for an unforgettable experience.
Open all year round, the resort overlooks the Amusement World and Sea World theme parks, as well as the magnificent Foy’s Lake with its seemingly endless green hills. The special Honeymoon Chalet caters to newly married couples, allowing them to celebrate in a romantic and beautiful setting.
Facilities include: air-conditioned rooms; colour cable TV, restaurant offering local and International dishes, telephone, en-suite bathrooms, room service, car parking and convenience store.
At least 50 per cent payment of one day’s tariff is required to confirm booking in advance. Booking has to be confirmed at least 24 hours before arriving at the spot. Check out time is 12.00 noon.
Sea World is a water theme park located in Foy’s Lake. It is located in the same complex as Amusement World dry park and the Foy’s Lake Resort. Sea World is full of splash pools, water coaster rides, and all the usual features one would expect from a world class water theme park. It iss also surrounded by the picturesque beauty of Foy’s Lake.
There are: Wave Pools, Slide World, Family Pool, Tube Slides, Multi-Slide, Waterfall, Doom Slide, Play Zone, Dance Zone, etc. Guests are to bring their own towels and swimwear. There is also a store that provides these on rent or purchase if they forget to bring those along, also separate changing rooms and toilets for ladies; and lockers for their valuables.
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Biman, Orient Thai sign for B747 to operate Hajj flights
Holiday Report
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited and The Orient Thai Airlines Company Limited signed lease agreement to deploy Boeing B747 to operate the upcoming Hajj Flights. Udom Tantiprasongchai from Orient Thai and Air Commodore (Retd.) Zakiul Islam, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited signed the agreement on behalf of the respective organisations.
Orient Thai was the lowest bidder when Biman floated the RFP for lease of the Boeing 747 Aircraft for Hajj operation back in June this year. Orient Thai operated Hajj flights in 2008-2009 as well. Biman management hopes to cater the best for the Hajj Pilgrims with smooth service.
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Nepal aims to bring in 1m tourists over next two years
Holiday Report
Nepal aims to bring in one million tourists over the next two years as part of "Nepal Tourism Year 2011" campaign.
Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer, Nepal Tourism Board, made the call while presenting the objectives, target and current activities through a power-point presentation at a Nepal evening in Cologne, Germany recently.
Nepalese embassy in Germany, in cooperation with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Honorary Nepali Consulate in Cologne, organised a Nepal evening programme on the theme "Destination Nepal" in Cologne.
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sharat Singh Bhandari, said after the historic Constituent Assembly elections, Nepal was currently drafting a new, inclusive and democratic constitution. While highlighting the importance of launching the 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011’ as a national campaign, he said the government of Nepal was committed to liberal regulatory regime of tourism activities and for the development of tourism infrastructure in Nepal.
He requested the media and travel tour operators to join their hands in Nepal’s new initiative taken for establishing its traditional tourism glory as a major tourist destination in South Asia.
Nepali envoy to Germany, Suresh Prasad Pradhan, highlighted bilateral relations between the two countries and prospects of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of tourism. Highlighting tremendous potential of bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector between the two countries, Pradhan urged German entrepreneurs to invest in tourism infrastructure in Nepal. He also urged international airlines to operate direct flight between Nepal and Germany.
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Emirates launches 2010 FIFA World Cup travel packages
Holiday Report
Emirates airline, an Official Tour Operator for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is offering football fans in Bangladesh an unforgettable experience of a lifetime through the launching of 2010 FIFA World Cup™ travel packages.
Hanif Zakaria, Emirates Area Manager Bangladesh, unveiled the unique packages at a press meet at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on September 14.
These tailor made FIFA 2010 packages includes: air tickets to and from three South Africa destinations - Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban; 5 nights accommodation, except semi-finals and final packages, at one of three base camp locations - Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban; Return airport transfers; Return match transfers, either by coach or plane depending on the distance between base camp and match venue and CAT01 match tickets.
Hanif Zakaria said, "Emirates is delighted to be offering such tailor-made travel packages and hopes to see a large number of football fans in South Africa during the matches. We are pleased to be able to offer our first-class expertise in travel services to football fans around the globe. To support your team at a World Cup is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many supporters and we aim to make sure it is an unforgettable experience for football fans." "We are thrilled to be in partnership with FIFA at this incredible sporting event and, as well as demonstrating our ongoing support of the game, we believe this package shows we are bringing the spirit of sport to our customers." Customers can choose from 13 different package types, more than 20 two-star to five-star hotels in three base camps - Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, entering South Africa through the three Emirates gateways.
Emirates’ three nights’ packages to witness the final match start from US$6101 in Economy Class, US$9673 in Business Class and US$11101 in First Class. Seven nights’ packages to witness the final and two semi-final matches start from US$12196 in Economy Class, US$15767 in Business Class and US$17196 in First Class. Four nights’ packages to see two semi final matches start from US$8238 in Economy Class, US$11810 in Business Class and US$13238 in First Class.
Emirates’ five nights’ packages to see one quarter final match start from US$5135 in Economy Class, US$8706 in Business Class and US$10135 in First Class. The award-winning airline also unveiled its unique 'follow-your-team’ component of the tour package, which is testament to the airline’s commitment to the beautiful game and its followers. Supporters no longer need to wait until their chosen team qualifies, as this unique package is not only refundable if their country fails to make it, but guarantees fans gold-dust tickets for each of their team’s matches, right up to the final on July 11th. Emirates’ partnership with FIFA began at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ when it became the first airline to be a sponsor of the prestigious sporting event. Following on from the success of the tournament in Germany, Emirates then cemented its status as an Official FIFA Partner up to and including the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.
Emirates operates 17 flights to Dhaka offering convenient connections to three South Africa destinations - Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban; and destinations across its network.
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