The tourism industry in Kuakata has been severely affected by the recent nationwide unrest and curfew.
Due to ongoing turmoil, Kuakata Beach in Patuakhali lacks tourists, and silence prevails in the tourist zone.
In various parts of the area, numerous shops are open but lack customers. Traders, rather than tourists, cover beach umbrellas and benches.
Most restaurants are closed, and many hotel and motel rooms are empty due to the decrease in tourism, leading to significant losses for businesses.
Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners' Association President MA Motaleb Sharif said: “There are more than 200 residential hotels in Kuakata. On average, each of the hotels suffers a loss of more than Tk1 lakh per week. If this continues, there will be a big loss in the tourism industry.”
"We have 27 employees at the hotel, and we spend about Tk35,000 daily, including electricity bills and other expenses. The hotel has 58 rooms. During normal times, about 70% of the rooms are booked four to five days in advance for every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday," Hotel Khan Palace General Manager Faizul Karim Emon said.
However, they expressed hope that the number of tourists will increase once the situation becomes stable.
Meanwhile, tourist police have been patrolling Kuakata's tourist spots, including the beach area, despite the absence of tourists.
On Thursday, journalists visited the area and found that the fast food shops, and cosmetics shops on the east and west sides of the beach were locked.
Zero point of the beach, Chowrasta, Ganga Moti, Lembur Bon, Elisha Park, Shutki Bazar and most of the sightseeing places are devoid of tourists.
Tourists, who were stranded in Kuakata, due to the nationwide unrest have already left Kuakata with the help of the military.
Tour Guide Association President KM Bachchu said: “We primarily assist tourists referred by tour operators and various agencies in Dhaka. Approximately 50 of our trained guides have been idle for the past week, and it is uncertain how long this situation will persist.”
Tourist Police (Kuakata Region) SP Ansar Uddin said: “Only a few tourists were in Kuakata during the unrest and curfew. Over the past few days, we have been able to safely send the stranded tourists to their destinations with the help of the army. At the moment, Kuakata is completely devoid of tourists. Nevertheless, we have patrols and surveillance throughout the area.”