The Bangladesh Travel Writers Association (BTWA) organized the “Creative Development Through Travel Awards 2025” through an elaborate and colorful ceremony at the auditorium of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra on May 9. The initiative was launched to honor remarkable contributions in travel literature, photography, research-based storytelling, and creative digital content creation. The event brought together writers, media personalities, tourism professionals, and cultural figures from different sectors, creating an inspiring atmosphere focused on the growth of travel-based creativity in Bangladesh.
An experienced and transparent panel of judges supervised the complete evaluation process for the awards. Organizers said the judging committee played an important role in maintaining quality and professional standards in the country’s travel literature and content industry. The three-member jury included Mohammad Ashraf Uz Zaman, Founder and President of the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association; Md. Jahangir Alam, Secretary General of BTWA and Founder of Noakhali Pedia; and Executive Committee Member and media personality Shakil Bin Mustak.
The judges jointly reviewed different categories by assessing travel writing quality, originality, research depth, creativity, and overall presentation standards. According to organizers, the evaluation process aimed to recognize meaningful contributions that help enrich travel culture and literary practices in Bangladesh. The awards also focused on encouraging responsible storytelling that highlights culture, history, heritage, nature, and tourism potential.
As the chief judge was outside the country during the ceremony, Mohammad Ashraf Uz Zaman sent a video message from the United States. In his statement, he said talented people are often appreciated only after their death, while their contributions remain overlooked during their lifetime. He added that BTWA believes creative individuals should receive proper recognition and respect while they are still actively contributing to society. His remarks received appreciation from participants attending the program.
Secretary General Md. Jahangir Alam explained that the organization officially announced the call for submissions last year. However, he mentioned that the selection process did not depend only on direct applications from participants. According to him, the judges also reviewed nearly 1,200 Bangla travel literature books preserved in the organization’s archive over many years. From those collections, recent and relevant high-quality works were carefully considered for this year’s awards.
Jahangir Alam further stated that many strong and creative works were identified during the review process, though it was not possible to include all deserving entries in a single edition of the awards. He expressed hope that many of those writers and creators would receive recognition in future programs. He also noted that the archive review process created an important opportunity to evaluate the long-term development of travel literature in Bangladesh, which could contribute positively to future research and literary enrichment.
Executive Committee Member Shakil Bin Mustak said the award initiative is expected to create a positive impact on travel-related creative content production in the country. He added that younger creators would feel encouraged to produce more research-based, informative, and high-quality travel content for readers and audiences. According to him, digital storytelling, travel videos, photography, and documentary-style reporting are becoming increasingly popular among young people, making such recognition programs more important than ever.
The program was chaired by Mohiuddin Helal, Editor of Parjatan Bichitra. In his speech, he said travel is not merely a form of entertainment but also a unique way to connect people with different cultures, histories, traditions, nature, and humanity. He praised travel writers and photographers for presenting those experiences through stories, emotions, and visual documentation that inspire readers to learn more about the world.
Several distinguished guests attended the event and shared their experiences related to travel, culture, and tourism. Among them were media personality KM Harun; AHM Shafiquzzaman, Chief Executive of Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital; travel writer Shakur Majid; Ahsan Habib; and Ziaul Haque from Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. The guests appreciated the initiative and highlighted the importance of promoting Bangladesh through quality travel literature and creative media content.
The event was jointly hosted by Shakil Bin Mustak and Fuad Bin Omar. Other participants included Zakaria Mondol, Anisul Kabir, Homayed Ishak Mun, Ziaul Kabir Bappe, executive committee members, organization representatives, and personalities connected to the tourism and cultural sectors. Their participation added significance to the ceremony and reflected growing interest in travel-based creative activities across the country.
Travel experts attending the event emphasized that travel literature in Bangladesh has expanded significantly over the past decade. Besides traditional books and magazine features, creators are now producing travel documentaries, blogs, online journals, podcasts, and social media-based storytelling content. Industry observers believe this transformation is helping local tourism destinations gain wider visibility among domestic and international audiences.
The BTWA awards are also being viewed as an important platform for motivating emerging writers and digital creators to maintain authenticity and research quality in their work. Organizers said the association plans to continue similar initiatives in the future to encourage creative excellence and preserve valuable travel literature archives for future generations.
In recent years, Bangladesh’s tourism and travel content industry has experienced rapid growth due to the increasing popularity of digital platforms and local travel exploration. Experts believe that recognition programs like the “Creative Development Through Travel Awards 2025” can help strengthen the country’s tourism branding while inspiring young creators to document culture, heritage, rural beauty, and hidden destinations more professionally. Organizers also hinted that future editions of the awards may introduce additional categories for digital travel journalism, documentary filmmaking, and online storytelling.