Travel agency bill passed with provision of punishment

The Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2020 has been passed, keeping a provision of maximum six months' imprisonment or Tk5 lakh fine or both in the case of violation of any provision under the proposed law.

The bill was passed by voice vote in Jatiya Sangsad on Monday (January 25) after it was moved by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali.

Earlier, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali moved the bill in Parliament on September 7 last year.

According to a provision under the proposed law, a travel agency can renew its licence within six months even after the expiry of the stipulated time on payment of a penalty, can open branch offices outside the country considering the global perspective of the business and hand over its ownership.

It also says if any travel agency works as a recruiting agency, it will be an offence and the travel agency will be fined for doing so.

Permission is required if any travel agency wants to change its address, the bill said.