Reports on
Orientation Program
Specialized Training on Hospitality & Tourism Management
Date: February 7th, 2024
Duration: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Organizers: Social Development Foundation (SDF)
Financed by: Bangladesh Ministry of Finance
Implementation: Vromon BSDI
Theme: “Tourism, a key tool for poverty alleviation.”
Overview:
On February 7th, 2024, a significant event unfolded from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, This marks the start of a program to help 150 students get started and learn about something new. Spearheaded by the Social Development Foundation, financed by the Bangladesh Ministry of Finance, and implemented by Vromon BSDI, the program focused on the pivotal theme of leveraging tourism for poverty alleviation.
Distinguished Guests:
The event boasted the presence of esteemed figures within the industry, including Acting DIG of Tourist Police, Md. Abu Kalam Siddique, Chairman of SDF, Md. Abdus Samad, Managing Director of SDF, Dr. Amitabh Sarkar, President of the Bangladesh Tour Operators Association, Shiblul Azam Qureshi, and the Honorable Executive Director of Bangladesh Skill Development Institute, KM Hasan Ripon. Also, important people like Abu Sufian, who runs Travel JV BSDI Project, Travel TRD, and Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, who is the Chairman of Daffodil Family, were there to make the event even more special by being a part of it.
Event Highlights:
All of the honorable guests emphasized on potentiality of the tourism sector in the country and beyond. all of the honorable guests gave various speeches on how to make this potential sector more far-reaching. All the hosts join forces to maximize the potential of Bangladesh’s demographic dividend as it exists. All emphasized on how it will play a very important role in changing one’s life from the context of the country and the international both.
Mindset will change one’s life:
The Chairman of SDF, in his speech, emphasized the mindset of changing one’s life and having the belief in personal improvement. He conveyed that with the right mindset, challenges can be overcome, leading not only to success in academics but also in life.
Furthermore, he described Bangladesh’s 12-month, 6-season climate as a continuous spring. He addressed important topics such as food safety, hygienic serving, and how the hospitality industry can elevate ordinary experiences to extraordinary ones.
Learning skills is the major step toward being successful:
Dr. Amitavh Sarker, Managing Director, SDF believes that a skill-based course plays the highest role in changing the behavior of any person. Most of the current education is not skill based because of which the students are only completing the graduation but no one is getting the output from him. One solution to this problem could be to improve efficiency in this sector.
Empowerment Through Education:
Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman of Daffodil Family, shared inspiring anecdotes, encouraging a mindset of dedication and creativity among the students. He emphasized the potential for entrepreneurship within the tourism sector, advocating for a holistic approach to education that transcends theoretical knowledge.
Call to Action:
Acting DIG of Tourist Police, Mr. Abu Kalam Siddique, encouraged young people to take advantage of the current demographic dividend, stressing the importance of having the right skills to meet the growing needs of the tourism industry. He underscored the economic benefits of youth engagement and highlighted the importance of professionalism in enhancing tourist experiences.
Vision for the Future:
President of the Bangladesh Tour Operators Association, Shiblul Azam Qureshi, emphasized the significance of hospitality in the service industry, stressing the importance of professionalism and effective communication skills. He advocated for linguistic proficiency as a catalyst for prosperity in the tourism sector.
Mastering Skills: The Vaccine for Poverty Eradication:
At the orientation program, Mr. K M Hasan Ripon, the Honorable Executive Director of Bangladesh Skill Development Institute, shared an important message. He highlighted how important it is to become really good at something in order to fight poverty. He said, ‘There’s nothing better than being really good at something. Being efficient is the best way to get rid of poverty.’ This message deeply resonated with the audience, capturing their attention and making them think, showing how learning new skills can help solve big problems like poverty.
Closing Remarks:
Dr. Md. Nuruzzaman, CEO of Daffodil Family, had a vision to introduce community-based tourism and decentralized approaches to developing tourism. He highlighted the potential for collaboration and sponsorship in nurturing entrepreneurship within the industry. CEO, in his speech, pointed out that with increased support from related organizations and stakeholders, such as Bangladesh Venture Capital and SME Foundation, it would be feasible to attract numerous new and diverse entrepreneurs to this sector. This emphasizes the importance of collaboration and sponsorship in fostering the growth of entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.
Conclusion:
The event concluded on a high note, with all participants gathering for a group photo, symbolizing unity and collective effort. The program was officially closed, leaving a lasting impression of enthusiasm and commitment towards leveraging tourism for socio-economic advancement.
This orientation program served as a beacon of inspiration, igniting passion and dedication among participants, and shall be remembered as a catalyst for positive change within the hospitality and tourism sector.
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