DHAKA: A 3-day international tourism fair will begin at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area of the city from June 19.

Some 140 stalls from 12 different countries will participate in the 4th Bangladesh International Tourism Fair (BITF) 2014.

Fair organizer Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development (BFTD) made the disclosure at a press conference at a city hotel at 11:00 Tuesday.

Civil Aviation and Tourism minister Rashed Khan Menon will inaugurate the fair at 4:00pm on Thursday. Prior to the inauguration, a seminar on regional tourism flourishing among the SAARC countries will be held at 10:00am of the day.

The fair is being organized in association with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Bangladesh Tourism Board, and the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB).

Fair organizer said, “Travel Agents, tour operators, hotels and resorts, card sellers, hospitals, institutions, national tourism organization (NTOs), airlines, financial institution, online sellers and other tourism service providers from North America, Central America, Europe, Middle East and South Asia will attend the fair.”

Cambodia will take part in the fair for the first time, added the organizer.

Along with the domestic cultural functions, cultural troupes from Malaysia and Bhutan will perform shows there.

Regent Airways, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Malindo Airlines, Novo Air and United Airlines will offer special discount at the fair.

The event will remain open from June 19 to June 21 from 10:00am to 8:00pm daily at Tk 20 entry fee.

BFDD president HM Hakim Ali, BFDD executive director Rezaul Ekram, ATAB president SN Manzur Morshed Mahbub, Inbite Tour Operator Association senior vice-president, among others, were present at the conference.

BDST: 1444 HRS, JUNE 17, 2014