ATAB and HAAB in Bangladesh have jointly called for the immediate annulment of the Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Ordinance 2025. This demand was voiced during a demonstration organized by the ATAB Members’ Welfare Unity Alliance in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka. Mohammad Jalal Uddin Tipu, the convener of the Unity Alliance, expressed concerns that the proposed ordinance, drafted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to replace the current law, could potentially force the closure of approximately 5,000 travel agencies across the country upon enforcement.
Tipu emphasized that the implementation of the new ordinance would lead to job losses for owners, staff, and employees within the industry, consequently impacting the sector and the national economy negatively. He highlighted discrepancies in several proposed amendments within the new ordinance, particularly the restriction on ticket transactions between agencies, which could pose challenges for smaller travel agencies to sustain their operations.
According to Tipu, a significant number of agencies lack the capability to directly issue airline tickets, making it impractical for them to meet the security deposit requirements ranging from Tk 10 lakh to Tk 1 crore for online and offline functions. Moreover, he criticized provisions such as confining recruitment agents to a single location and revoking licenses without a fair hearing, stating that these measures would disrupt the industry’s functionality.
Pointing out that existing laws permit the issuance of licenses for multiple businesses at a single address, Tipu mentioned that numerous recruiting and Hajj agencies have been operating travel services from the same premises. Mohammad Juman Chowdhury, the organization’s member secretary, added that many agencies rely on larger firms for ticket procurement due to limited financial guarantees, warning that penalizing such practices could impede general business operations.
The human chain event was attended by notable figures including former HAAB president Ibrahim Bahar, secretary general Farid Ahmed Mojumdar, former ATAB secretary general Aslam Khan, and ATAB Reform Council convener Gofran Chowdhury. Following the demonstration, a delegation led by the ATAB Members’ Welfare Unity Alliance convener submitted memorandums to the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and the Ministry of Law.