The inaugural award ceremony for creative works in the travel industry has taken place
The inaugural award ceremony for creative works in the travel industry has taken place
For the first time in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association has awarded honors in five categories, including travel literature and photography. The ‘Award for Travel and Creative Excellence 2025’ was bestowed during a vibrant ceremony held at the Bishwa Shatiya Kendra auditorium in the capital on Monday, May 11.
The awards recognized five distinguished individuals and one travel literature magazine for their exceptional contributions across various domains of travel literature, photography, and creativity.
The recipients for the year 2025 include: Syed Mujtaba Ali Travel Literature Award: Mahfuzur Rahman (Travel Literature Writer). Ramnath Biswas Adventure Travel Award: Muntasir Mamun (Adventure Writer). Syeda Khanam Travel Photography Award: Mustafiz Mamun (Photographer). Best Creative Art Director: Anisuzzaman Sohel (Creative Designer). Best Travel Literature Magazine: Bhromongodya (Editor: Mahmud Hafiz). Best Travel Content Creator: Salahuddin Sumon.
In a video message from the United States, Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal, the organization’s president, stated, ‘Typically, there is a tendency to honor deserving individuals posthumously. However, we believe that a person’s contributions should be acknowledged during their lifetime.’
Mohiuddin Helal, Editor of Parjatan Bichitra and board director of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, remarked, ‘The current necessity is a collaborative effort between government agencies and the private sector to enhance tourism literature. While there is substantial work on tourism abroad, we lack coordination in this area.’
Others present included Ziaul Haque Hawlader, General Manager of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Unmad editor Ahsan Habib, DBC News editor Pranab Saha, former labor and employment secretary and president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) AHM Shafiquzzaman, prominent media figure and educator Kha Ma Harun, retired army officer and geopolitical analyst Brigadier General Shams, as well as architect, playwright, documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, and travel writer Shakur Majid.
Jahangir Alam Shovon, the general secretary of the organization, opened the program with a welcome speech. Fuad Bin Omar and Shakil Bin Mushtaq, both executive members of the organization, talked about the award-winning literary works and honored the deserving individuals.
Three brands owned by three members of the organization, namely ‘Mayfair’, ‘Seven Days Notes’, and ‘Four Wheels’, provided gifts to the guests during the event, which was entirely self-funded without any external sponsorship.
It was stated at the event that the award will be presented every two years.
Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal
Globetrotter & Travel Writer
As the founder and president of the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association and a CEO of Delta Outdoors, he has organized more than 40 domestic and international tours every year. Through long-distance cycling across the world and across the United States, he has established a unique example of adventure travel. He has traveled to 62 countries and 6 continents, and completed a bicycle journey across the United States in 67 days.
For his contributions to adventure travel, he has received honors and recognition from various organizations, reflecting the significance of his work. He has also made notable contributions to travel literature, and his work has been preserved in the Library of Congress, USA.
Through stories, culture, and travel, he has connected people in meaningful ways—making him a source of inspiration. Among his notable books are –
Songi Cycle O Aradha prithibi(Travel around the world by bicycle);Anoung Purbo Africa(And East Africa);Vromoner Projapoti;Vhromoner Kherokhata etc
