Galaxy Bangladesh Founder & Chairman Taufiq Uddin Ahmed Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Taufiq Uddin Ahmed, Founder and Chairman of Galaxy Bangladesh, has been honored with the ” Lifetime Achievement Award” at the “Share Trip-Monitor Airline of the Year 2024” for his remarkable contributions to the development of Bangladesh’s travel and tourism industry spanning over five decades.
The award, the country’s only aviation & travel industry-focused recognition, was presented at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, where the Jury Committee lauded his “visionary leadership and pioneering role in transforming the travel sector in Bangladesh.”
Mr. Taufiq Uddin Ahmed embarked on his remarkable journey in 1972, establishing Galaxy Travel International at a time when Bangladesh’s travel sector was at its infancy. Operating from a modest office in Dhaka’s Dilkusha Commercial area, he laid the foundation for what would grow into one of the country’s most respected multi-sector service companies.
In the seventies and eighties, Mr. Taufiq led Galaxy Travel to become the preeminent corporate travel service provider in Bangladesh to various government entities, corporate Houses, local and foreign banks, MNCs, and NGOs. This established Galaxy’s position at the forefront of the country’s travel and aviation community.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with travel and an ambition to connect Bangladesh with the rest of the world, Mr. Taufiq guided Galaxy to bring multiple global airlines into the Bangladesh market. During his tenure, Galaxy became the General Sales Agent (GSA) for numerous carriers including United Airlines, Ansett Australia, Kingfisher Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Spice Jet, Saudia, Oman Air, Jazeera Airways, and more.
Beyond building a robust corporate portfolio, Mr. Taufiq played a pivotal role in advancing the country’s broader travel landscape. As a founding force behind the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and a three-term elected president of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), he championed higher industry standards, better policy frameworks, and collective growth. Under his leadership, Galaxy also began to facilitate visa services, partnering with leading visa service operators like VFS Global, streamlining international travel for countless Bangladeshis.
Reflecting on this honour, Mr. Taufiq Uddin Ahmed says, “This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the dedication of our entire Galaxy family. I am grateful for the continued support received from Airlines Partners, various Ministries & Government bodies, Civil Aviation Authority, Biman and other private airlines, Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, to put Bangladesh on the global travel map. We remain committed to driving excellence, nurturing talent, and building a vibrant future for Bangladesh’s aviation, travel and tourism industry.”
Today, Mr. Taufiq continues to encourage many in the industry with his forward-looking vision for Bangladesh’s aviation & tourism sector, emphasizing the potential for medical and leisure travel and advocating for stronger infrastructure and global promotion.
On presenting the award to Mr. Taufiq, the Jury Committee noted, “it is in special recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development and progress of Bangladesh’s travel industry that the Lifetime Achievement Award has been awarded to Taufiq Uddin Ahmed.”
Organizers of the event, described Mr. Taufiq’s legacy as a source of inspiration for Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism industry, emphasizing his commitment to connecting people, cultures, and destinations, and in the process, strengthening the country’s global connectivity.