The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued an urgent advisory cautioning travelers against making payments for airline tickets, tours, or travel packages through unregistered or expired licensed travel agencies.
A recent report published in The Daily Star’s Bangla online edition on May 7, 2026, titled “UK sanctions Bangladeshi travel agency ‘Dream Home Travels’ over human trafficking to Russia,” prompted the ministry to release the warning.
Based on information from a report in Bangla daily Kaler Kantho on January 28, 2025, mentioning “Eight Bangladeshis in Russia war,” the ministry confirmed that Dream Home Travels, owned by MM Abul Hasan, had an expired license since April 3, 2021.
Under the Bangladesh Travel Agency Registration and Control Act, 2013, it is mandatory for travel agencies to be registered. All registration and renewal procedures must be completed online through the Travel Agency Management System governed by the Bangladesh Travel Agency Registration Authority.
Despite regulations, many agencies operate with expired licenses or without registration, potentially engaging in fraudulent activities and customer harassment. Therefore, travelers are advised to verify the registration status or license validity of a travel agency via the Travel Agency Management System before making any financial transactions to prevent scams or financial losses.
An official from the civil aviation ministry mentioned that actions are being taken against MM Abul Hassan, the owner of Dream Home Travels, for his alleged involvement in human trafficking to Russia. Following the expiration of the agency’s license in 2021 without renewal, it was blacklisted by the ministry.
In 2025, the ministry reached out to all deputy commissioners to address the illegal activities of Dream Home Travels, as the agency’s whereabouts were untraceable.
The United Kingdom recently imposed sanctions targeting Russia’s drone production network and groups, including Dream Home Travels, for exploiting vulnerable migrants to support Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The sanctions, announced on May 5, target 35 individuals and organizations involved in human trafficking or supplying components for Russia’s military drone industry.
The British High Commission in Dhaka clarified that the sanctions against the travel agency are due to its involvement in deceiving and exploiting Bangladeshis to participate in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
Afsia Jannat Saleh, the former secretary-general of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), stated that Dream Home Travels is not affiliated with the association. She mentioned that upon the ministry’s inquiry, ATAB recommended the removal of the travel agent’s registration and license.
