Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) was formed in the year of 1992. This was the time when a handful of agencies operating tours inside Bangladesh, felt the need of such an association or trade body to overcome immense problems and difficulties being faced by them regularly. Besides this, the other main objective or aim of the organization was to develop and nourish tourism in Bangladesh and to promote the tourism products of Bangladesh in the international arena. After a long wait and completion of different formalities, the association was recognized as a trade organization by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in 2002. Currently, TOAB is having 751 active Members.

In tourism, all over the world tourist's expectations are very high for hazardless traveling, secured food & lodging, efficient spot visits, an economically cost-effective transaction in every step whether it is a business or a personal recreational tour. To fulfill these demands of an individual or group of tourists the tour operators come into the picture and provide all the services they need. They are like a one-stop service provider starting from their arrival to departure in case of the overseas tourists and from your house back to your house in case of local tourist either it is inside the country or to a foreign land. In Bangladesh where the infrastructure of this industry is not well developed, it is always recommended that a tourist should arrange his travel here through a member of TOAB, which will be safer and more authentic.

The main goal and objective of TOAB are to encourage foreign tourists to visit our country's tourist attractions and establishments and to work for the development of domestic tourism in Bangladesh. From the very beginning, TOAB has been promoting and attracting foreign tourists to visit the tourist attractions of our country and has been working tirelessly for the development of domestic tourism in Bangladesh. TOAB Members conduct around 90% of the tour operation in Bangladesh. They are playing an important role in the economic development of Bangladesh by earning foreign exchange through inbound tourism. TOAB also maintains excellent relationships with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, Bangladesh Tourism Board, FBCCI, and other tourism associations and trade bodies. Since its inception, TOAB supports the Ministry, BPC, BTB in different policy-making processes.

TOAB Members regularly participate in the different tourism fairs in Asia, Europe, and North America, etc., and contribute to branding Bangladesh around the world. Since the beginning of TOAB, its members have been actively participating in different international trade fairs like ITB - Berlin, BIT - Milan, FITUR - Madrid, WTM - London, ATE - Sydney, BITE - Beijing, ATM - Dubai, KOTFA - Seoul, COTTM - Beijing, JATA - Tokyo, MITT - Moscow, MATTA - Kuala Lumpur, ATA Travel Mart - Bangkok, TTF - Kolkata, OTM - Mumbai, SATTE – Delhi, etc. in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Bangladesh Tourism Board. TOAB also participates in different local and regional tourism exhibitions organized by the Tourism Ministry, Bangladesh Tourism Board, and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. TOAB organizes Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) every year which is the largest international tourism fair in Bangladesh. It is to be noted that the TOAB BTTF 2019 was inaugurated by the Hon'ble President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid.

TOAB observes World Tourism Day with day-long programs every year. TOAB organizes workshops, seminars, and training programs around the year. TOAB organizes various FAM Trips, Tourism Awareness Programs, Roadshows throughout the year to promote and expand the country's tourist attractions and facilities. These programs attend by the TOAB President, Board of Directors, Hon’ble Members, TOAB Officials, Govt. Officials, journalists of print and electronic media, and tourism-related personalities. TOAB works together with Bangladesh Tourism Board for the branding of Bangladesh for the purpose of unveiling new tourist attractions and promoting existing tourist attractions. Recently TOAB has purchased its own office in Agargaon Administrative Area which is a great achievement for TOAB. It is expected that TOAB will do much more in the coming years.

TOAB publishes TOAB Members’ Directory every two years. The directory contains updated information of TOAB Members and other related matters of TOAB. The directory is very helpful for the TOAB Members, Government and Semi-Government, Non-Government, and other concerned organizations, Embassies, Airlines as well as creates opportunities for new businesses in the tourism sector. The directory enables the reader to learn more about the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), their activities, and their contribution to tourism in Bangladesh.