Bangladesh’s outbound tourism industry has taken an important step forward with a new decision by Bangladesh Bank allowing eligible tour operators to collect payments in Bangladeshi Taka from resident Bangladeshis for overseas tour packages.
Under the new arrangement, eligible tour operators can receive package payments locally in Taka and settle payments with overseas hotels, tour operators, and other service providers through authorised dealer (AD) banks.
The move is expected to bring greater transparency, regulatory compliance, and professionalism to Bangladesh’s growing outbound travel market. It also provides a more structured mechanism for local tour operators to manage international package payments while remaining within the country’s foreign exchange regulations.
The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Forum (BOTOF) has welcomed the decision, describing it as a progressive and timely initiative that can help create a more sustainable environment for the outbound tourism sector.
For travellers, the development can make the process of purchasing international tour packages more convenient by allowing eligible operators to collect payments in local currency while handling the required foreign currency settlement through the formal banking system.
As Bangladesh’s international travel market continues to expand, stronger cooperation between regulators, financial institutions, and travel companies will be important in building a more transparent and globally competitive outbound tourism ecosystem.
This latest initiative marks another positive development for Bangladesh’s travel industry and creates new opportunities for professionally managed outbound tour operators to serve Bangladeshi travellers with greater efficiency and confidence.
