After weeks of sluggish activity due to political uncertainty and the Ramadan slowdown, stakeholders in Cox’s Bazar are hopeful of a strong recovery in the tourism sector during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Industry insiders expect business worth hundreds of crores of taka, as the extended holiday period is likely to attract a large number of visitors to the country’s leading tourist destination.
According to sector insiders, tourist arrivals in Cox’s Bazar remained significantly low over the past one and a half months.
Even with discounts of up to 50–60 per cent during Ramadan, hotels, motels, and resorts failed to achieve expected booking levels.
This downturn also affected small businesses dependent on beach tourism, including photographers, jet ski operators, beach chair renters, street vendors, and transport workers, whose incomes dropped sharply.
However, the long Eid holiday is expected to reverse the trend. President of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel and Guest House Owners’ Association, Abul Kasem Sikder, said that around 970,000 tourists visited during Eid-ul-Fitr last year.
“With the country now stable, the number may reach around one million this year,” he said.
Stakeholders estimate that between 700,000 and one million tourists may visit this season, which could significantly boost the local tourism economy.
Already, around 70–80 per cent of hotel and resort rooms have been booked. Fahmida Haque Dola, front office official at Hotel Cox Today, said bookings were progressing well and would increase further from March 20 through March 24.
President of the Cox’s Bazar zone of the Leisure Hoteliers of Bangladesh, Abu Taleb Shah, said extensive preparations had been taken centring the Eid holidays after Ramadan.
“The law and order situation is excellent, and Cox’s Bazar is expected to be full of tourists,” he added.
Apart from the main beach, tourist spots such as Inani Beach, Himchari National Park, Maheshkhali, Sonadia Island, Kutubdia, Dulahazara Safari Park, and the Buddhist temples of Ramu are also expected to witness increased footfall. However, travel to St Martin’s Island remains suspended due to restrictions.
Former president of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, said that at least Tk 5 billion in business could be generated across 13 tourism-related sectors, including hotels and restaurants.
He stressed the need for strict monitoring to ensure tourist safety and prevent overcharging.
Small business operators are also optimistic. Beach photographer Abdus Sabur said tourist numbers had been very low recently, whereas in previous Eid seasons he had earned Tk 10,000–12,000 per week.
“We are hopeful this Eid will be better,” he said.
Beach chair renter Jamir Uddin said his current daily income stood at Tk 400–500, which could rise to Tk 1,000–1,500 during Eid. Jeep driver Mohammad Siraj expressed hope that his daily earnings could reach Tk 5,000–10,000 after Eid, compared to the very low income he had during Ramadan.
Dried fish trader Mohammad Shamsed Alam said he had stocked dried fish worth Tk 2.5 million ahead of Eid and expected sales between Tk 2 and 2.5 million.
Security measures have also been strengthened. Lifeguards will remain on constant watch to prevent sea accidents. An official of Sea Safe Lifeguard, Md Faruk, urged tourists not to cross red flag zones.
Tourist Police inspector Parvez Ahmed said patrol teams, mobile units, and plainclothes intelligence teams would remain active to prevent any untoward incidents.
Deputy commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan said the tourism sector would regain momentum if business flourished during Eid.
He added that mobile courts would operate to prevent overcharging and irregularities.
Overall, Cox’s Bazar’s tourism industry is now looking to bounce back strongly, banking on the Eid holiday rush.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
