A massive influx of tourists turned Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach into a festive crowd on the third day of Eid and the final day of the extended public holidays.
From early morning, tourists from across the country gathered at the beach with family members, creating a vibrant atmosphere in Cox’s Bazar.
Heavy crowds were seen at Laboni, Sugandha, and Kolatoli points, as well as other nearby tourist spots.
Some visitors enjoyed sea bathing, while others were busy taking photos or spending time with loved ones.
However, amid the festive mood, many tourists expressed frustration over unusually high prices.
Complaints included higher hotel rents and food prices, with some claiming they had to pay several times as much as usual.
Tourists also expressed concerns about exorbitant charges for beach activities, such as horse-ride photo shoots.
At the same time, some visitors shared positive experiences. Tahmina Afrin from Narayanganj said that although prices were slightly higher during the Eid season, the overall environment and security were satisfactory.
Shantanu Islam from Dhaka said that witnessing such a vast sea was a memorable experience and that he was enjoying quality time with his family.
However, he felt more recreational options would improve the experience.
Local traders denied allegations of overcharging, saying that prices may rise slightly due to increased demand during peak tourist periods.
Sea Safe Lifeguard member Zainal Abedeni Bhutto said that managing the safety of more than 100,000 tourists was a major challenge.
He added that, despite limited workforce, they were working with maximum vigilance to prevent any accidents.
Observers have called for stronger administrative monitoring to ensure a tourist-friendly environment, particularly to control excessive pricing.
Shahidul Alam, the additional district magistrate, stated that they had already conducted meetings with hotel and restaurant owners and issued the necessary guidelines.
He added that the administration was actively working to maintain control over the situation.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
