Dhaka Travel Fair Puts Sustainable Destinations at the Centre as BTTF 2026 Opens

Dhaka is opening its doors to the world of greener travel this week. The 14th Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2026 begins in the Bangladeshi capital on Thursday, 29 October, placing sustainable destinations and artificial intelligence at the heart of South Asia’s leading tourism marketplace.

The three-day fair runs until 31 October at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in Dhaka. It is organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), with US-Bangla Airlines as title sponsor.

A fair built around sustainable destinations

This year’s theme is “AI-Powered Tourism, Sustainable Destination”. According to the organisers, the theme reflects growing interest in using artificial intelligence and modern technology to improve tourism services while promoting destinations that protect their environment and communities.

Announcing the fair at a press conference at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport on 27 October, TOAB President Mohammad Hanif said the event aims to accelerate Bangladesh’s tourism development by integrating modern technology and artificial intelligence into tourism services, promoting environmentally responsible travel and strengthening international connectivity.

Following 13 successful editions, the fair has grown into one of South Asia’s leading tourism platforms, showcasing Bangladesh’s attractions to international audiences and creating business opportunities for local and foreign companies alike.

Scale of the 2026 fair

The organisers expect a large turnout across the three days:

• More than 220 exhibitors, including airlines, hotels, tour operators and tourism boards
• More than 200 booths and stalls across four themed exhibition halls
• More than 250 qualified buyers and around 2,500 trade visitors
• More than 60,000 general visitors over the three days
• Tourism representatives from more than 20 countries, including Nepal, India, Singapore, the Maldives, the Philippines, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Azerbaijan

The fair is backed by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and other public bodies, alongside the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Why sustainable travel matters now

The fair’s sustainability theme lands as travellers themselves weigh greener choices more heavily. According to Trip.com Group’s 2026 Sustainable Travel Consumer Report, published on 27 October and based on 8,777 respondents in 29 markets, 75.4 percent of travellers say sustainability is important when making travel decisions, and 56.8 percent now intentionally choose more sustainable options.

The same report found that higher prices remain the biggest barrier to greener choices, cited by 37.1 percent of respondents, followed by inconvenience and difficulty identifying genuinely sustainable options. Events such as BTTF, where destinations and operators present their offers side by side, are one way travellers can compare options and find credible ones.

For Bangladesh, the fair is also a shop window for its own destinations, from its river landscapes and the Sundarbans mangrove forest to its historic cities, with the organisers keen to show that tourism growth and environmental care can move together.

Key facts

• Event: 14th Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2026
• Dates: 29–31 October 2026
• Venue: Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC), Dhaka
• Organiser: Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB)
• Theme: “AI-Powered Tourism, Sustainable Destination”
• Title sponsor: US-Bangla Airlines
• Expected: 220+ exhibitors, 250+ buyers, 2,500 trade visitors, 60,000+ visitors

Related reading: Greece and Türkiye put sustainable tourism at heart of new travel cooperation

Frequently asked questions

When and where is BTTF 2026 held?

BTTF 2026 runs from 29 to 31 October 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Who organises the fair?

The fair is organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the country’s apex association of tour operators, with US-Bangla Airlines as title sponsor.

What is this year’s theme?

The 2026 theme is “AI-Powered Tourism, Sustainable Destination”, linking artificial intelligence and modern technology in tourism services with environmentally responsible travel.

How big is the fair?

Organisers expect more than 220 exhibitors across more than 200 booths in four themed halls, over 250 qualified buyers, around 2,500 trade visitors and more than 60,000 general visitors.

Which countries are taking part?

Tourism representatives from more than 20 countries are expected, including Nepal, India, Singapore, the Maldives, the Philippines, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Azerbaijan.