Despite the scorching heat, Cox’s Bazar—the world’s longest natural sea beach—was packed with tourists during the extended Eid holidays. Over six days, over 700,000 visitors flocked to the beach town, boosting businesses beyond expectations. According to the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce, the tourism sector generated approximately Tk 600 crore in revenue during this period.
From the day after Eid, Cox’s Bazar saw an influx of over 100,000 tourists daily, filling the beachside with excitement. Visitors indulged in thrilling adventure activities such as jet skiing, beach biking, and horse riding. At the same time, local vendors selling seashells, dried fish, pickles, jewelry, and Burmese goods saw a surge in sales.
Mohammad Gafur, a beach photographer, shared his experience saying that during the Eid holidays, he earned Tk 3,000–4,000 daily by capturing tourists’ moments.
With around 600 photographers working along the shore, everyone had a similar experience.
Jet ski operator Munna said that on a single day, he made between Tk 30,000 and Tk 40,000 from tourists enjoying jet ski rides.
Burmese goods trader Rahim Uddin highlighted the stark contrast between Ramadan and Eid.
“During Ramadan, our business was nearly non-existent due to the lack of tourists. But during the Eid holidays, daily sales ranged between Tk 60,000 to Tk 100,000,” he added.
Cox’s Bazar has over 500 hotels, motels, resorts, and guest houses, all seeing near-full occupancy during the long break. Hotel managers expressed satisfaction with the turnout and expected the wave of tourists to continue until April 14.
Abu Taleb Shah, Manager of Hotel Cox Today, said that this holiday season exceeded their expectations. Tourists felt safe and comfortable, which contributed to the business boom.
“We anticipate steady tourism until the Bengali New Year,” he added.
Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce President Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka confirmed that the six-day holiday period saw approximately Tk 600 crore in tourism-related transactions, benefiting businesses across all sectors.
With thousands of beachside shops, photographers, adventure operators, and street vendors, Cox’s Bazar remains a thriving hub for tourism, offering both economic growth and an unforgettable experience for tourists.
By Tareque Hasan
Phile Photo
