Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism will finalize the Hospitality Sector Strategy

“Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism will finalize & adopt the hospitality sector strategy through incorporating the feedback from relevant stakeholders soon,” said honorable Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MOCAT) Mr. S M Golam Faruk on 12 February 2017 in a discussion meeting on implementation of Tobacco Control Law in hospitality sector. As the Chairperson, he said the draft strategy will upload in their official website and send a request letter to relevant ministries (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of LGRD, Ministry of Commerce, Cabinet Division) and relevant organizations under MoCAT and DC offices for providing their valuable feedback for further improvement. He also said, a letter will be circulated on the future actions/activities for tobacco free hospitality sector.

 

The meeting was jointly organized by Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism & National Tobacco Control Cell under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the support from Dhaka Ahsania Mission & Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. All Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary were attended in the meeting and expressed their valuable opinion on the discussion point. The other organizations representatives under MOCAT; like- Chairman of Bangladesh Porjoton Corporation, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, Deputy General Manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Additional SP of Tourist Police, Director of Hazrat Shahjalal Int. Airport, Director of Pan Pacific Hotel etc.) and Chief Health Officer (CHO) of Dhaka South City Corporation, Secretary General of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association were also present in the meeting. On the other hand, Mr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Additional Secretary of Cabinet Division was emphasized on finalize and adopting draft strategy for hospitality sector and Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury was suggested to keep DSA outside of the airport or hotel lounge as per law.  Dr. Mahfuz Bhuiyan, Grants Manager of CTFK and other NGO representative; like-Coordinator of PROGGA, Convener of Anti Tobacco Media Alliance( ATMA), Program Manager of YPSA, Program Officer of CTFK etc. were also present in the meeting and gave their valuable speech. Mr. Mohammad Ruhul Quddus, Coordinator of NTCC gave a brief power point presentation on Tobacco Control Law and the health hazard of tobacco use. Mr. Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Assistant Director & Project Coordinator (Tobacco Control Program) of DAM presented the key note paper with power point presentation on present scenario of hospitality sector in worldwide as well as our country status in tobacco control, draft hospitality sector strategy and the expectation to MOCAT for tobacco free hospitality sector.  The whole program was conducted by Ms. Nadira Kiron, Co-convener, ATMA and Chief Reporter of ATN Bangla News.