The Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) has urged the government to crack down on the syndicates responsible for unfair increase in air fares.

In an online discussion held on Wednesday the ATAB leaders called upon the government to intervene decisively to rein in soaring airfares. They described it as artificially created seat shortages orchestrated by these syndicates.

The discussion meeting was chaired by ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref. 

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ATAB Secretary General Afsia Jannat Saleh moderated the event.

The discussants raised concerns about the detrimental impact of these alleged syndicates on passengers. ATAB representatives claimed that these "unscrupulous groups" are manipulating ticket prices, leading to significant hardship for travelers.

Furthermore, ATAB alleged that these same groups are actively engaged in spreading false and misleading information targeting the legitimately elected ATAB committee through various online and traditional media channels, with some instances involving direct threats.

They asserted that the "ticket syndicate is a dishonest cartel" involved in black marketing and hoarding to create artificial crises for excessive profit. They urged the immediate revocation of their licenses and demanded stringent legal action against those involved.

ATAB leaders suggested that a recent government circular aimed at curbing such syndication has disrupted the monopoly of these groups, leading to their current efforts to regain control through conspiratorial campaigns against ATAB's current leadership.

Key figures including ATAB Vice President Mohammad Ziaur Rahman Khan Rezwan, former Executive Vice President and current Executive Committee member Alhaj H.M. Mujibul Haque Shakur, former Secretary General Jinnur Ahmed Chowdhury Dipu, and Deputy Secretary Dewan Rushu Chowdhury voiced their concerns and called for unified resistance against these syndicate groups. They urged the authorities to take swift action to ensure transparency and equal opportunity within the travel trade sector.

Established in 1976 and recognised by the government and the Ministry of Commerce, ATAB represents nearly 4,000 licensed travel agencies in Bangladesh. The organisation plays a crucial role in shaping aviation and tourism policies in collaboration with the government. 

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