The government of Montenegro and UN Tourism jointly organised a forum in Podgorica on 13 October, bringing together tourism ministers, policymakers and industry leaders from Europe and Asia.
Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, chief executive of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, took part as a panelist and set out Bangladesh’s views on tourism development and investment. Ministerial-level representatives from Montenegro, Malta, Bulgaria, the Maldives, Albania, Cyprus and Malaysia also joined the discussion, according to a press release.
Talks covered a skilled tourism workforce, easier travel, wider air connectivity, sustainable growth, attracting investment and stronger international partnerships.
The opening session included speeches by Montenegro’s tourism minister Simonida Kordić, UN Tourism secretary-general Shaikha Al Nowais, the Maldives’ Abdulla Niyaz and the Philippines’ Dakila F Gonzalez.
The forum closed with the adoption of the Podgorica Declaration, described as one of its main outcomes. Faruqui called Bangladesh’s participation an opportunity to present the country’s tourism potential abroad and to exchange experience with global partners.