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Tourism must be made tobacco-free sector: Adviser
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has called for the tourism sector to be declared tobacco-free. She emphasized the importance of extending smoking bans, stating, "Just as smoking has been banned on airplanes, hotels must also be made smoke-free. We will soon amend the tobacco control law to ensure this."
Akhter made these remarks while addressing the ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award 2025 ceremony, organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at Dhaka Club.
Speaking at the event, she also celebrated the achievements of the women being honored, saying, "Through today’s event by ATJFB, a new horizon will be opened for women. The 10 women I saw today are leaders in their fields, and they will serve as inspirations for others in society."
Akhter further highlighted the interconnectedness of the fisheries and livestock sectors with tourism and aviation, pointing out that the tourism and aviation industries depend on key products like milk, eggs, fish, and meat. “These industries cannot function without these products,” she added.
The adviser also recognized the contributions of rural women, stressing that their roles are crucial for the development of both industries. "The vital contributions of rural women in these sectors cannot be overlooked," she remarked.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism industries, ten exceptional women were honored with the ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award 2025. The awards were presented by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasrin Jahan.
Among the awardees were First Officer Fariha Tabassum of Biman Bangladesh Airlines in the Pilot category, Engineering Officer Tahmina Akter of Biman in the Aeronautical Engineer category, Manager of Ground Services Nilufa Yasmin in the Aviation Ground Services category, and Flight Steward Jinia Islam of Biman in the Cabin Crew category.
Additional Superintendent of Police Nadia Farzana of the Tourist Police received the award in the Tourism Security category, while Sabera Sarwar Nina, Chairperson of Hotel Sarina, was honored in the Hotel Entrepreneur category. Sabira Mehrin Saba, Founder and CEO of Wonder Woman, received the award in the Tourism Entrepreneur category.
Wamia Walid, Head of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at Galaxy Bangladesh, was recognized as a Promising Entrepreneur. Rita Nahar, Joint Editor of Baishakhi TV, was honored in the Journalism category, and Nazmun Nahar, the first Bangladeshi to carry the national flag to 178 countries, received the award in the Travel category.
Among those present at the ceremony were Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md. Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Dr. Md. Safiqur Rahman, ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar, and General Secretary Baten Biplob.