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The 17th edition of Dhaka Travel Mart (DTM-2020) has been postponed over coronavirus fear.
The international tourism fair was scheduled to begin in the capital on Mar 12.
Nearly one hundred participants from Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE, Oman, India and Bangladesh registered to participate in the travel and tourism fair, said a statement.
The organisers of the fair were expecting a record number of visitors this year.
Kazi Wahidul Alam, editor of The Bangladesh Monitor - the host organisation said, “In the 17 years of history of DTM, we never encountered such a situation, which could deter us in holding the event on due date”.
“But the present situation is beyond anybody’s control. To us health and safety of our valued partners, participants, visitors from home and abroad are of topmost priority, hence we can’t take any risk”, he added.
Due to the fast spread of coronavirus worldwide, travel restrictions have been imposed in many countries, including recent imposition of ban on Umrah pilgrimage and tourists arrival in Saudi Arabia.
IEDCR Bangladesh in one of their recent circulars has requested all Bangladeshis not to undertake any travel unless it is very urgent.
A new date for holding the DTM-2020 will be announced after the situation improves.