The world’s longest sea beach, Cox’s Bazar, will host a seven-day beach carnival and tourism fair to mark World Tourism Day on September 27.
The carnival and fair will be organized at Laboni Point, where 200 stalls have already been installed. Participating in the events are hotels, motels, restaurants, tour operators, and various other organizations. The convener of the fair, Additional District Magistrate Md Yamin Hossain, said the aim is to bolster tourism in Cox’s Bazar.
The theme of the event will be "Environmental Friendly Investment in Tourism", he said. There will be different offers from hotels and restaurants for visitors coming to the festival. All hotels, motels and guest houses will offer a 60% discount for guests from September 27 to October 3.
Tourists will enjoy a 15% discount on food items, a 20% discount on bus fares, and a 10% discount on helicopter fares, along with other discounts on each and every facility, the official said.
The local administration has unveiled a theme song ahead of the festival. It will also organize a five-day cleanliness campaign starting today.
On September 27, the local administration will bring out a colourful procession in the city. At 9am, the tourism fair and carnival will be opened, followed by a tree-plantation program and discussion.
Later in the morning, a boat rally will be organized which will end at Maheshkhali Jetty. Apart from this, the festival will feature a circus show, cultural events where artistes from different parts of the country will perform. The highlight of the cultural events will be the performances of musicians from Lalon Academy. Artistes from the mainstream, including Closup-1 stars and Robi Chowdhury, will also perform in the cultural shows.
Zillur Rahman, superintendent of Tourist Police in Cox’s Bazar, said the local police force is ready to welcome the tourists.
Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shahin Imran said there will be mobile courts operating in the city during the festival. He said the administration is expecting a huge turnout at the festival. There will be tourists moving around the city at night as well.
Mokhin Nath, general secretary of the Kolatoli Hotel-Motel Owners’ Association, said up to a 60% discount on room rents will be offered to guests.