Afsia Jannat Saleh is one of those who have been making important contributions to the development of Travel and Tourism in Bangladesh with their talents and efforts. She is the Managing Director of Saimon Overseas Ltd, a leading corporate Travel Management company of the country.
She is currently the member of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AMCHEM), Women Chamber of Commerce, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Vice President of the Association of Travel Agent of Bangladesh (ATAB). She is also the proprietor of Saimon Holidays, Saimon Logistics and the Managing Director of Saimon Air Travels Limited. Afsia Jannat Saleh was born in 1986 in Moulvibazar. She is the eldest daughter of prominent businessman and freedom fighter late M A Muhaimin Saleh, Former President, ATAB and Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB).
Afsia passed her SSC from BAF Shaheen School and College and HSC from Vikarunnisa Noon School and College. She got scholarships every time. She later obtained BBA and MBA degrees from North South University.
Afsia Jannat Saleh thinks that many countries in the world have created huge income opportunities in the tourism industry through highlighting their history, heritage and natural sights – why is our country lagging behind? In the light of this, she added wings to Saimon Overseas in the form of Saimon Holidays as a significant tourism organization of the time. She joined the travel industry in 2009 when she was still studying.
Talented Afsia Jannat got an opportunity to join in an executive position in a multinational company in 2012 after completing her Masters in Finance. She opted to join Saimon Group founded by her father M A Muhaimin Saleh, though it was a difficult choice. Working for a multinational company would have been cushy job ensuring a handsome salary at the end of the month. In her own company, it meant a lot of hard work to bring to reality, the dreams that she had in growing the company. This meant a lot of hours of work and risks that needed to be undertaken.
Afsia Jannat Saleh initially joined the administration and finance department of the company and gradually became involved in various responsibilities of Saimon Overseas Ltd. It is one of the top travel management companies in the country – serving the travel and tourism sector since 1981.
Afsia Jannat Saleh has received many awards and honors as a successful leader in the country’s travel industry. Under her leadership, Saimon Overseas Ltd , has won the ‘Top Agent Awards’ in the Airlines Business sector many times.
She is the first woman vice-president of Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB). In 2021, her company was selected as the Best Travel Management Company and received Arthakantha Business Excellence Award.
Afsia Jannat has been able to take on the challenge of Saimon Holiday’s in winning MICE bidding and earn great success. She has acquired new ventures in this sector. Even in the country’s male-dominated society, she is able to thrive in the field of MICE business-an exception. And this is possible because of her dedication, hard work, knowledge and sincerity. As energetic and work-loving as she is, she knows the magic of keeping her colleagues focused on work. That is why success in any venture come to her naturally. She can make quick decisions and take in hand any risk. She thinks that women should play a greater role in the field of Tourism industry. Afsia believes that MICE will play a greater role in this field.
She is involved in various social and institutional activities. These include TN Khanom Degree College, Juri, Moulvibazar; Director of Hafizia Madrasa of MA Muchawi, Ibtadia Madrasa of MA Muchawi, Freedom Fighter Rehabilitation and Education Project Prashanthi UK, Muhaimin Saleh Foundation (Homeless Bastuhara Housing Project (701 houses provided). She is a founding member of Mohammadiyya Jame Masjid. Besides, she is associated with various humanitarian and natural disaster relief programs.
Afsia Jannat Saleh urges the embassies of Bangladesh in different countries to highlight the country’s heritage, history and stunning natural beauty to the world. This will encourage the foreigners to learn about Bangladesh and the country’s tourism industry will develop massively.
