Parliament on Thursday unanimously passed the Bangladesh Tour Operators and Tour Guides (Registration and Operation) Bill, 2021 to make it mandatory for tour operators and guides to get registered.
It aims to bring tour operators under legal framework for ensuring best services and give a boost to the tourism sector.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.
As per the new law, a tour company will have to collect a licence. No company will be allowed to operate tours without registration. If anyone does, it will be tried under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The law also has a provision of handing over the registration to another tour operator in case of death, physical and financial incapability.
It stipulates that criminal acts of the tour operators will be tried under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 in order to protect the interest of the tourists.
The activities of tour operators, tour guides, general tour guides, cultural guides, nature guides and trekking guides will now be regulated, according to the legislation.
The conditions for getting registration, period of registration and provisions for cancellation of registration are mentioned in the bill.
In the bill, it has precisely been defined who can be tour operators and tour guides.
