Cox’s Bazar is bracing for another influx of tourists as the monsoon season draws more holidaymakers to the country’s premier beach destination, and government employees are set to get an opportunity to enjoy a four-day break later this month.
According to the government’s holiday calendar for 2026, Wednesday, August 26, will be a public holiday for Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH). If government employees take leave on Thursday, August 27, they will enjoy a four-day break, including the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday.
The consecutive holidays on August 26, 27, 28 and 29 are expected to encourage many people to plan trips to Cox’s Bazar, with hoteliers, restaurant owners and beachside businesses hoping for a fresh surge in tourist arrivals.
Those involved in the tourism sector said interest in visiting Cox’s Bazar has been growing during the monsoon as tourists seek to experience the beach, rain-soaked landscape and the sea in a different setting.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel Guest House Owners’ Association, said Cox’s Bazar remains one of the first choices for tourists whenever there is a public holiday.
“Tourists are still coming to Cox’s Bazar during the monsoon, although they take weather and safety risks into consideration,” he said.
“This time, if government employees can manage a day’s leave, they will get a four-day break. We hope tourist arrivals will increase during the holiday and that will bring good business for us.”
A significant number of tourists also visited Cox’s Bazar around the July Uprising Day holiday on August 5. Although offices remained open on Thursday, the holiday, followed by the Friday-Saturday weekend, brought a noticeable presence of tourists to the resort town.
Businesspeople expect the upcoming four-day break to bring renewed activity to hotels, motels, restaurants, tourist spots and beachside businesses if tourist numbers rise as anticipated.
Mohammad Osman Gani, supervisor and senior lifeguard of Sea Safe Lifeguard, said tourist numbers are currently moderate but usually increase considerably during holidays.
“Tourist numbers are fairly excellent at present. But whenever there is a holiday, the number rises and our workload increases several times,” he said.
With the monsoon bringing rough seas, rain-soaked beaches and lush green surroundings, tourism stakeholders are hopeful that the upcoming long break will once again turn Cox’s Bazar into a bustling destination for holidaymakers.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
