Stellar performers in Bangladesh travel, tourism and hospitality honoured

Thirty-one organisations and individuals in 25 categories were recognised and awarded for their excellence in Bangladesh travel, tourism and hospitality sectors during at a gala award ceremony at the InterContinental Dhaka recently.

The travel and tourism publication The Bangladesh Monitor organised the programme, first of its kind in the country, which was supported by the private-sector financial institution Prime Bank PLC, according to a press release.

Online travel agency BuyTickets, travel technology provider Sabre, and tea brand Halda Valley are the partners of the programme.

A competent jury board comprising representatives from diverse professions and social groups selected the winners out of 184 entries. The selection was made based on the quality of the presentation, online public voting, expert opinions, and other considerations. A staggering one hundred and eight thousand online votes were cast in different categories.

PATA Chairman Peter A. Seamone was present as the chief guest and handed over trophies to the winners. The Bangladesh Monitor Editor Kazi Wahidul Alam, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Chairman Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Bangladesh Tourism Board’s CEO Abu Taher Md. Jaber, Deputy Managing Director of Prime Bank PLC Nazeem A. Chowdhury, and Chairman of the jury board Akhtaruzzaman Khan Kabir also spoke on the occasion.

The winners in different hospitality categories were The Westin Dhaka, The Peninsula Chittagong, HANSA Premium Residence, The Way Dhaka, Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa, InterContinental Dhaka, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View, Sikder Resort and Villas, Hotel Grand Park Barishal, Momo Inn Park and Resort, The Palace Luxury Resort, Prego of The Westin Dhaka, Star Kebab, Hotel Kasturi, North End Coffee Roasters and The Garden Kitchen of Sheraton Dhaka.

In tourism categories, The Bengal Tours, Journey Plus, Discovery Tours and Logistics, National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, HB Aviation and Tourism Institute, ShareTrip and InnoGlobe Technologies were recognised as the winners.

Lastly, in individual categories, Md Shafiqul Islam, Head of Marketing and Sales, US-Bangla Airlines; Shakawath Hossain, CEO of Unique Hotel and Resorts; Ashwani Nayar, General Manager of InterContinental Dhaka; travel vlogger Salahuddin Sumon; and food vlogger Petuk Couple won awards.   

The award ceremony was attended by representatives from corporate houses, travel tourism and hospitality sectors, business elites, and media among others.