Tourism must be made tobacco-free sector: Farida Akhter

Today, Farida Akhter, a Fisheries and Livestock Adviser, advocated for the tourism industry to be tobacco-free.

“Smoking has been banned on airplanes; hotels must now be made smoke-free. The tobacco control law will soon be amended in this regard,” she said.

The adviser was addressing an award-giving ceremony titled ‘ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award 2025’, organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at Dhaka Club here.  

Farida Akhter said, “Through today’s event by ATJFB, a new horizon will be opened for women. The 10 women I saw today are established in their respective fields. Now, they will inspire other women in society.”

She also emphasized the close ties between the tourism and aviation sectors and the livestock and fisheries sectors. “Products like milk, eggs, fish, and meat are essential to tourism and aviation,” she stated.

The advisor also recognized the important responsibilities that rural women play in these fields, stressing how important their contributions are to the expansion and advancement of these sectors.

Ten exceptional women received the ATJFB Aviatour Women’s Icon Award 2025 in appreciation of their noteworthy achievements to Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism industries.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasrin Jahan handed over the awards to the winners.

First Officer Fariha Tabassum of Biman Bangladesh Airlines received the award in Pilot category while Engineering Officer Tahmina Akter of Biman was awarded in Aeronautical Engineer category. Manager of Ground Services Nilufa Yasmin got the award in Aviation Ground Services and Flight Steward Jinia Islam of Biman received the award in Cabin Crew category.

Additional Superintendent of Police Nadia Farzana from Tourist Police was given the award in the Tourism Security category while Hotel Sarina’s Chairperson Sabera Sarwar Nina won the award in the Hotel Entrepreneur category.

Wonder Woman’s founder and CEO, Sabira Mehrin Saba, was the recipient of the prize in the area of tourism entrepreneurs.

Galaxy Bangladesh’s Head of Business Development & Corporate Affairs, Wamia Walid, received recognition in the area of Promising Entrepreneur.

The Journalism category award went to Rita Nahar, the joint editor of Baishakhi TV, while the Travel category award went to Nazmun Nahar, the first Bangladeshi to fly the national flag in 178 nations.

Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Md. Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan, Managing Director and Biman CEO Dr. Md. Safiqur Rahman, ATJFB President Tanzim Anwar and General Secretary Baten Biplob also, among others, spoke on the occasion.