A calm has descended on Cox’s Bazar during the holy month of Ramadan, with its usually bustling sea beach now relatively quiet and the familiar calls of vendors largely absent.
However, this calm scene is expected to change rapidly as the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays approach, bringing renewed vibrancy to the coastal town.
Stakeholders are expecting a massive influx of tourists to Bangladesh’s largest tourist destination during the Eid holiday period.
According to tourism business operators, a continuous seven-day government holiday, combined with additional leave, could result in nearly 11 days of vacation, encouraging many people to choose Cox’s Bazar for travel. An estimated 700,000 to 1 million tourists are expected to visit during this period.
More than 500 hotels, motels, guesthouses, and resorts in Cox’s Bazar have already completed extensive preparations to receive tourists.
Those involved said that most establishments have completed renovation, painting, and decoration work, while staff have also undergone training to improve services.
President of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel and Guest House Owners’ Association, Abul Kasem Sikder, told Cox’s Bazar Life that 60–65 per cent of rooms in three- and four-star hotels have already been booked in advance.
He expressed optimism that from the day after Eid, an average of about 100,000 tourists would stay in the town each day for about a week.
General secretary of the Hotel-Resort Owners’ Association, Mukim Khan, said that their preparations were also in the final stage, with 50–70 per cent of rooms already booked.
He also said that several coordination meetings had been held with the administration to prevent harassment of tourists, warning that immediate action would be taken against overcharging or any irregularities.
Hotel sources said that most star-category hotels and resorts are nearly fully booked for the week following Eid, while mid-range hotels have already secured 60–70 per cent bookings.
In particular, the first three days of Eid — March 22, 23, and 24 — are expected to see an acute shortage of available rooms across most hotels.
Officials at a star-category hotel said that around 80 per cent of their rooms have already been booked, with a strong likelihood of being fully occupied for at least a week after Eid.
At Sayeman Beach Resort, financial controller Asaduzzaman Noor said that around 80 per cent of rooms had been booked in advance and the hotel was likely to remain fully occupied for about seven days after Eid.
“We expect a significant influx of tourists this year. Visitor numbers were quite low during the election period and Ramadan, but this time people appear more interested in travelling,” he added.
Assistant general manager of Hotel Cox Today, Abu Taleb, said their hotel, which has over 200 rooms, was undergoing extensive refurbishment during Ramadan. “The work will be completed before Eid. Around 50 per cent of rooms have already been booked for the first three days of Eid,” he added.
The Cox’s Bazar district administration has also stepped up efforts to ensure tourists’ comfort and safety.
Deputy commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan said multiple meetings had been held with hotel owners and stakeholders, and monitoring had been strengthened to prevent overcharging and other irregularities.
Overall, stakeholders expect the tranquil Ramadan atmosphere in Cox’s Bazar to soon give way to a vibrant, tourist-filled seaside city during Eid.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
