A fresh wave of tourists has flooded Cox’s Bazar sea beach during the extended holiday period, with hotels reporting full occupancy across the town.
Following the seven-day Eid holiday and two working days, the Independence Day holiday on March 26, combined with the weekend, created a three-day break that drew large numbers of visitors to the popular tourist destination.
A visit to Kolatoli, Sugandha, and Laboni points on Friday showed overwhelming crowds of tourists enjoying time with family, friends, and loved ones.
Tourists were seen riding horses along the beach, riding beach bikes and jet skis, while others relaxed under umbrellas and chairs, enjoying the sea view.
The surge in tourists has led to full occupancy in more than 500 hotels, motels, and guesthouses in Cox’s Bazar, with no rooms available, according to industry insiders.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Hotel, Motel and Guesthouse Owners’ Association, said that all accommodation facilities in the town had already been booked, with most hotels having advance reservations until March 30. He added that they had given instructions to ensure fair pricing and prevent harassment of tourists.
He also advised visitors to confirm bookings in advance to avoid inconvenience, such as inflated prices and potential difficulties finding accommodation.
To ensure safety, tourist police, executive magistrates from the district administration, and beach workers have been deployed throughout the area. Sea Safe Lifeguard personnel are also on duty to prevent water-related accidents.
Senior lifeguard Rashid Ahmed said that the increased number of tourists has made it challenging to ensure safety with only 27 lifeguards on duty. “We are working from morning until evening to maintain safety along the beach,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Md A. Mannan said that coordination meetings had been held to prevent harassment of tourists. “If any complaint is received, immediate action will be taken through mobile courts,” he added.
While Cox’s Bazar remains vibrant amid the extended holiday, observers have called for continued vigilance to ensure tourist safety and maintain service standards.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
