Tourism operators in Cox’s Bazar expect an influx of hundreds of thousands of tourists during the five-day Durga Puja holiday, with bookings already picking up at hotels, resorts and guesthouses.
Cox’s Bazar, one of the country’s major tourist destinations, usually sees a surge in visitors whenever people get a two- or three-day holiday. With this year’s holiday stretching to five days, tourism-related businesses expect visitors to increase further.
Adding to the attraction will be one of the country’s largest immersion ceremonies at Laboni Point on Cox’s Bazar sea beach on Bijoya Dashami. The ceremony draws a large crowd every year, raising expectations that the beach will be bustling with tourists and visitors throughout the holiday.
Hotels, motels, guesthouses and resorts have already begun preparations to welcome visitors. Some hotels have also begun taking advance bookings, tourism operators said.
Rana Karmakar, manager of the eco-friendly Mermaid Beach Resort at Pechar Dwip on the Marine Drive in Ramu, said they had completed preparations to welcome tourists during the Durga Puja holiday.
“About 30 per cent of our rooms have already been booked in advance. We expect at least 50 per cent of the rooms to be booked by October 5,” he said.
“We will welcome guests on the occasion of Durga Puja. We constantly try to provide the best possible service to our guests, and this time will be no exception. Our restaurant will remain open to everyone, where visitors can dine, look around and take photographs. We expect all our rooms to be booked during the five-day holiday,” he added.
Sayeed Alamgir, public relations officer of the star-rated Hotel Ocean Paradise, said previous experience showed that tourist arrivals increased in Cox’s Bazar during extended holidays.
“Bookings have already started, and tourists are also making enquiries about various facilities. We hope to receive a significant number of visitors this time as well and expect a positive response,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sea Safe Lifeguard, which provides safety services at the beach, has taken extra steps to ensure tourists’ safety.
Mohammad Osman, the organisation’s supervisor, said many tourists visit Cox’s Bazar every year during the Durga Puja holiday.
“We will remain on duty until the situation returns to normal after the immersion ceremony on Bijoya Dashami. Our entire team will remain on duty that day instead of taking a holiday. We always work on the beach to ensure tourists’ safety, and this year will be no exception. We will do our utmost to ensure their safety,” he said.
Cox’s Bazar Additional District Magistrate Tasnim Jehan said the district administration was giving the highest priority to tourist safety.
“Cox’s Bazar usually sees a large crowd of tourists on weekly holidays. We are emphasising that lifeguards remain on duty during this period. Weather conditions will also be considered,” she said.
Preparations for the Durga Puja festival are under way, she said, adding that the tourism situation would be brought to the deputy commissioner’s attention and discussions would be held on whether additional measures were necessary.
Five-day holiday
According to the government’s holiday calendar for this year, October 20, Tuesday, will be a holiday by executive order for Nabami. October 21, Wednesday, will be a public holiday for Bijoya Dashami.
Although October 22, Thursday, is normally a working day, the government has also declared it a holiday by executive order. This will be followed by the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.
As a result, government employees will enjoy a five-day holiday from October 20 to 24.
Tourism operators expect the extended holiday to boost visitor numbers not only in Cox’s Bazar but also at other tourist destinations nationwide.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
