After more than a month of sluggish activity, the tourism sector in Cox’s Bazar is excited for a revival, centring on the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Final preparations are now underway across the beach town to welcome tourists, with stakeholders expecting a surge of tourists and business worth hundreds of crores of taka.
For nearly one and a half months, the Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach has remained largely devoid of tourists. Hotels and motels have seen little activity, and tourism-dependent businesses have also experienced a downturn.
Business operators are now relying on the upcoming Eid to help them recover from the prolonged slowdown.
From the day after Eid, a large influx of tourists is expected, prompting hotels and restaurants to carry out cleaning, maintenance, and last-minute renovations.
Beach-based service providers, including horse handlers, umbrella and chair renters, and small-business operators, are also eagerly preparing to welcome tourists.
A small business operator said that business had been poor during Ramadan due to the absence of tourists but expressed optimism for improvement after Eid.
Meanwhile, around 50–60 per cent of rooms in major hotels have already been booked in advance.
Assistant general manager of Hotel Cox Today, Abu Taleb Shah, said that the absence of public holidays on March 23 and 24 might reduce tourist numbers to some extent.
“However, if visitors still show interest during these days, Cox’s Bazar will maintain a festive atmosphere,” he added.
President of the Greater Beach Traders’ Association, Abdur Rahman, said that preparations had been taken after Ramadan to receive tourists on Eid day.
“Around 30–60 per cent of hotel bookings have already been confirmed, and we expect full occupancy,” he said.
Local authorities have assured strict measures to ensure tourist safety and prevent overcharging or harassment. Necessary guidelines have been issued to hotel and restaurant owners to ensure compliance with safety regulations, prevent overcharging, and maintain high service standards during the tourist influx.
Additional district magistrate Mohammad Shahadul Alam stated that separate law-and-order meetings were held prior to the influx of tourists.
“We have also met with hotel and motel owners and distributed responsibilities among authorities to manage the situation effectively,” he said.
Stakeholders expect Cox’s Bazar to regain its vibrancy during the Eid holidays, bringing renewed momentum to the tourism sector.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
