Bangladesh’s tour operators can now send foreign currency abroad to pay for travel services they arrange for customers, either as packages or individually.

Previously, travellers had to settle all such expenses themselves.

Under a Bangladesh Bank circular issued Sunday, operators can collect service costs from travellers in taka and remit the equivalent amount to overseas service providers through banks.

The facility requires an agreement with a foreign tour operator and membership of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) along with government registration.

Operators can remit up to $3,000 per traveller annually, outside the existing personal travel quota of $12,000.

The new facility covers overseas hotel bookings, transport and other travel expenses.

“Authorised dealer branches will remit foreign currency after verifying the required documents,” the central bank said.

Operators must keep transaction records against each traveller’s passport number and obtain declarations that the annual limit has not been exceeded through another operator.

For packages, the cost must be collected in foreign currency through international cards. AD banks may provide acquiring services for such transactions.

Banks must verify invoices, agreements, itineraries, traveller lists and proof of taka payments, and submit details to Bangladesh Bank within seven days of each remittance.