With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, the once-bustling Cox’s Bazar beach now stands in eerily quiet contrast to its usual vibrant atmosphere. The familiar hustle and bustle of Kolatoli has seemingly disappeared, as the city sees a sharp decline in tourist footfall.
Due to the lack of visitors, most souvenir shops remain closed, including those selling seashells and handicrafts.
Local business owners note that while a handful of tourists do visit Cox’s Bazar during Ramadan, the numbers are significantly lower than usual. In response, most hotels and motels have introduced special discounts on room rentals throughout the month. However, a survey of several hotels in the city’s motel zone reveals that most rooms remain vacant.
Meanwhile, most restaurants near the beach and city center have closed, except for those reopening in the evenings to offer Iftar specials.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
