Tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar have repeatedly expressed a desire to see the coastal city developed into an international-standard, eco-friendly tourism destination.
Among them are tourist couple Sabbir Hossain and his wife Shreshta, who recently visited Cox’s Bazar and stayed at Mermaid Eco Resort. During a brief interaction, they shared their views on the region’s tourism potential, environmentally sustainable development, and the destination’s international branding.
Sabbir Hossain told Cox’s Bazar Life that several countries have built strong economies based primarily on tourism, yet Bangladesh has not fully utilised the potential of Cox’s Bazar, despite having the world’s longest natural sea beach.
He said the government should take more effective and focused initiatives in the tourism sector.
Referring to global examples, he said destinations such as Dubai and Malaysia continue to attract tourists through innovative developments every year, while Thailand has gained global recognition by building a strong eco-friendly tourism industry.
He stressed the need for developing nature-based and environmentally sustainable tourism in Bangladesh, noting that people around the world are increasingly drawn to nature and natural experiences.
“Millions of tourists travel globally just to stay close to nature,” he said.
He further observed that parts of present-day Cox’s Bazar no longer reflect the identity of a tourism city.
“Sometimes it does not feel like a tourist city. The presence of concrete buildings creates an impression similar to parts of Dhaka,” he said, adding that eco-friendly hotels and resorts should replace unchecked concrete-based construction.
His wife, Shreshta, said Cox’s Bazar appears like a living picture frame, with its natural beauty visible in every direction.
“With the vast sea on one side, green hills on the other, winding rivers, rural life and fishing communities, it is an extraordinary blend of natural scenery,” she said.
She also highlighted the appeal of the seafood available in the region, noting that the display of seafood in hotels, restaurants, and cafés is particularly attractive to tourists.
Both urged collective efforts to develop Cox’s Bazar as a more beautiful and environmentally sustainable tourism city.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Hussain Shetu
