The government of Bangladesh has announced plans to expand Sylhet Airport to attract more foreign tourists, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita. She made the statement on Friday, June 19, during the inauguration of a festival at the Phulchhara Tea Garden field in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. The minister said the initiative aligns with efforts under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership to advance the country’s tourism sector.

Rita added that the government is formulating plans to create employment opportunities and promote ethnic tourism. She also pledged to work on establishing an Ethnic Cultural Academy in response to local demands. The expansion of Sylhet Airport is part of a broader strategy to present Sylhet as a global tourism destination.

State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, speaking as a special guest, noted that the government’s election manifesto emphasizes balanced regional development and the growth of community, ethnic, and water tourism. The Bangladesh Tourism Board organized the Harmony Festival to revive and sustain the diverse cultures of small ethnic groups.