Hotel bookings reach 80–85pc ahead of five-day break amid concerns over recent resort fire
Tourists have started flocking to Cox’s Bazar ahead of the five-day Durga Puja holiday beginning tomorrow, with tourism businesses saying 80–85 per cent of hotel, motel and resort rooms in the town are already booked in advance.
They expect between 650,000 and more than 800,000 tourists to visit the beach town during the holiday.
Amid the anticipated influx, however, safety at tourist facilities has emerged as a major concern following the recent fire at TupTup Resort in Patowartek, Ukhiya, which killed 10 people.
Tourists have called for stronger fire safety measures at hotels and resorts, along with closer monitoring by authorities, to prevent similar tragedies.
A visit to different parts of Cox’s Bazar beach on Monday morning found the shoreline bustling with visitors. At Sugandha, Laboni, and Kolatoli points, tourists enjoyed horse rides, beach bikes, and jet skis, while others walked along the shore with loved ones.
Rohan Ahmed, a tourist visiting the beach, said he felt anxious after hearing about the deaths in the TupTup Resort fire.
“Stronger measures should be taken to ensure tourists’ safety, and administrative monitoring should be increased,” he said.
Another tourist, Rafi, said Cox’s Bazar is one of the country’s most beautiful places and attracts large numbers of visitors.
“Those responsible should be more vigilant to ensure that incidents like the recent fire do not happen again,” he said.
The growing number of visitors has also raised expectations among tourism businesses.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said tourists had already started arriving and most rooms at quality hotels and resorts were booked.
He said they expected more than 800,000 tourists to visit Cox’s Bazar during the Puja holiday.
Tourism businessman Mukim Khan said hotels and motels were seeing strong demand ahead of the five-day break. He added that most star-rated hotels had already booked out, and businesses expected strong trade during the holiday.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railway has arranged special trains on October 20, 23 and 24 to manage the additional passenger pressure during the Puja holiday.
Under the schedule, the Dhaka Special train will leave Chattogram for Dhaka at 2:30 p.m. on October 20 and is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 7:30 p.m. on October 20 and is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka at 7:30 pm. The Tourist Special train will leave Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar at 10:30 pm the same day and is scheduled to reach the beach town at 6:50 am the following day.
On October 23, a special train from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka is scheduled to leave at 11:30 am and arrive in the capital at 8:00 pm. The Tourist Special train will leave Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar at 10:30 pm that night and arrive at 6:50 am the next day.
On October 24, the Tourist Special train will leave Cox’s Bazar for Dhaka at 11:30 am and reach the capital at 8:00 pm. A Chattogram Special train will leave Dhaka for Chattogram at 10:30 pm the same day and is scheduled to arrive at 4:00 am the following day.
Cox’s Bazar Railway Station Manager Zainal Abedin confirmed the special train services, saying passenger pressure on routes to Cox’s Bazar was usually high during extended holidays.
He said the additional trains were arranged to manage the pressure, and preparations were made to ensure safe journeys.
On tourist safety, Deputy Commissioner MA Mannan said the number of visitors would increase during the Puja holiday. He added that the administration would coordinate with law enforcement agencies and other relevant organisations to ensure tourists’ safety and comfort.
Superintendent of Police ANM Shajadur Rahman said several police teams were working to serve tourists. He said the three-tier security arrangement along the beach would be strengthened.
As Cox’s Bazar prepares for the holiday rush, the beach and other tourist attractions are becoming increasingly crowded. However, the recent resort fire has highlighted concerns over safety at accommodation facilities.
Tourists expect the authorities to take effective measures to ensure fire safety at hotels and resorts, maintain law and order and protect visitors throughout their stay.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
