Casino facility is essential for tourism industry and it will be available for foreigners in exclusive tourist zones across the country.

Mohibul Haque, secretary to the civil aviation and tourism ministry, yesterday made the comment at a press briefing that was organised in his secretariat to inform the media about the ministry’s plans marking World Tourism Day 2019 which is on September 27.

“Casinos are available in Malaysia which is a Muslim country. Tourists can visit casinos there submitting their passports. We could not provide such facilities to our tourists so far but we will provide it in the exclusive tourist zones,” he said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism already identified Bagerhat, Cox’s Bazar, Khulna and Satkhira as exclusive tourist zones, said Mohibul.

Asked about the government’s ongoing drives against illegal casino business, Mohibul said, “I fully support the government’s move.

“What I am trying to say is casinos will be available for foreigners and they will be allowed to avail the facility only after submitting their passports.”

The casino business in Dhaka is illegal and the government has taken the right measures against those, he added.

Asked whether the ministry was planning for casinos with night clubs like the ones in Bangkok, Mohibul said different Muslim countries were providing various entertainment facilities for foreign tourists.

“I think there should be no obstacle in providing such facility for the foreign tourists in exclusive tourist zones,” he said.

M Mahbub Ali, state minister for civil aviation and tourism, was also present at the briefing.

Mahbub said the government had taken mega plans for massive developments in tourism sector to attract tourists.

Survey of the delegation of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology on Sundarbans is at the final stage, he said, adding that they would soon take measures so that foreign tourists can enjoy eco-tourism there.

Apart from the mega plan, the ministry also has moved to prepare a master plan for tourism sector and that too is at the final stage, he said.

Bangladesh has attractive tourist spots but the authorities could not utilise those due to the lack of planning, said secretary Mohibul.

As the master plan is at the last stage, the authorities would now be able to execute those, he added.

The number of foreign tourists has increased by two lakh this year, the secretary said, adding that a guideline for private tour operators would be finalised by November this year.