After a prolonged slowdown due to the national election and the month of Ramadan, the country’s prime tourist destination, Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach, has regained momentum, with a surge in tourists, said the stakeholders.
They also said that the combined holidays of Eid, Independence Day, and the weekend created an extended break, drawing a massive influx of tourists to the beach.
In just one week, from March 21 to 27, more than 600,000 tourists visited Cox’s Bazar, generating an estimated turnover of around Tk 600 crore, signaling renewed optimism in the tourism sector, they claimed.
Spokesperson for the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abid Ahsan Sagar, said that tourist turnout has met expectations this season and that stability has returned to the business environment.
With more than 600,000 tourists arriving within a week, transactions exceeded Tk 600 crore, marking a significant achievement for the sector, he claimed.
“With coordinated efforts from both the government and the private sector, the industry has the potential to generate between Tk 1,000 crore and Tk 1,200 crore in business in the future. At the same time, infrastructure development and expansion of modern recreational facilities remain essential,” he added.
The Laboni, Sugandha, and Kolatoli points on the beach were overwhelmed by crowds, with barely any space to move.
Tourists of all ages filled the beach, with many enjoying a swim in the sea while others relaxed on the sandy shore, taking in the scenic sunset.
This surge has significantly revived livelihood-based professions. Beach bike operator Mohammad Rasel said that during Ramadan, business was nearly at a standstill, but the recent influx has restored his income.
Jet ski operator Saddam Hossain noted that their earnings depend entirely on tourist presence, and business has improved notably since Eid.
Horse rider Mohammad Rafique said his income had almost disappeared during Ramadan but has now rebounded. Photographer Mamun reported earning between Tk 2,000 and Tk 5,000 daily during the holiday rush, a significant increase from previous weeks.
Retail businesses have also experienced a boost. Dried fish trader Shamsed Alam said daily sales have reached between Tk 70,000 and Tk 100,000.
Pickle seller Morshed Alam added that with stocked goods worth Tk 12 lakh, daily sales now average Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000.
The hotel and accommodation sector has seen similar growth, with nearly 500 hotels, motels, and resorts reporting full occupancy.
Tasbiya Chowdhury Jini, reservation manager at Hotel Cox Today, said guest turnout was strong throughout the holiday period.
Md Yakub Ali, manager of Prasad Paradise Hotel, confirmed several consecutive days of full bookings.
Meanwhile, lifeguard authorities reported providing safety services to hundreds of thousands of beachgoers over the past few days, along with extensive awareness efforts.
Overall, the massive influx of tourists has not only enhanced the beach’s vibrancy but also injected fresh momentum into Cox’s Bazar’s economy.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
