Due to the long Eid holiday, travel enthusiasts from across the country are heading to various entertainment centers in Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Rangamati in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Tourists have already booked 60% to 80% of the hotels in these districts.
Business owners and the administration have made preparations keeping the expected crowds in mind.
Those involved in tourism state that more tourists will visit the hills during this holiday.
Due to the continuous break, travel lovers will spend a few days amidst calm, quiet, and serene beauty. They expect that during this period, trade in the tourism sector will exceed Tk100 crore.
Rangamati
Similar to the past, over 100,000 tourists are coming to the city of lakes and hills during this Eid holiday.
To welcome them, 118 resorts in Ruilui (Sajek Valley) of Baghaichari Upazila, over fifty hotels, motels, guest houses, resorts, houseboats, and hundreds of tourist boats and restaurants in the city are ready.
Stakeholders say that for the past two months, Rangamati’s Hanging Bridge, Polwell Park, Kaptai Lake, Shuvolong Waterfall, Sajek, and Kaptai were nearly tourist-free. Despite offering 50% to 60% discounts during Ramadan, expected occupancy was not met.
This caused losses for hotels, restaurants, small traders, boat operators, textile markets, and transport workers.
However, the situation will change during Eid; 70%-80% of rooms are already booked, and the rest will follow. An estimated 100,000-150,000 tourists will revitalize the tourism economy and help recover some losses.
Tourists are drawn here by the clear blue waters of Kaptai Lake and the green hills.
Houseboats are a new attraction, while island-based resorts like Mayabi Island, Rangadip, Wildwood Island, and others have seen increased interest.
Rico Khisa, manager of Mayabi Island Resort, told Dhaka Tribune: "Most resorts in the district are nearly 100% booked. We are waiting to welcome the tourists."
Sumet Chakma, director of Berany Lake Valley, noted that their rooms are fully booked from March 18 to 29.
Suparna Deb Barman, president of the Sajek Resort Owners Association, confirmed 100% booking from March 22 to 28 but expressed concern regarding potential travel disruptions due to fuel shortages.
Rangamati Tourist Police Superintendent Md Khairul Alam stated that maximum preparations are in place to ensure security on both land and water routes, including ensuring life jackets on all tourist boats.
Bandarban
Tourism business owners in Bandarban also anticipate a massive influx.
According to hotel-motel booking data, tourists will arrive in two phases: first for the Eid holidays (March 20–23), and second for the Independence Day weekend (March 26–28).
Lalkim Bom, owner of a cottage in Bogalake, mentioned his cottage is fully booked until March 28 but worried about water supply and motorcycle fuel availability.
Atikur Rahman, manager of Sairu Hill Resort, noted an 80% booking rate but feared some might cancel if they cannot find fuel for their private vehicles.
Jashim Uddin, general secretary of the Hotel-Motel Owners Association, estimated an average of 60% booking across the city's hotels, expecting it to reach 80%-90%.
Khagrachari
Khagrachari remains a popular destination for its rivers, hills, and waterfalls, and serves as the transit point for Sajek Valley.
District administration sources report that about 50% of the rooms in the district’s 45 hotels and guest houses are pre-booked.
Bikash Tripura, general secretary of the Khagrachari Hotel Owners Association, emphasized the need for new tourist spots to encourage visitors to stay longer, as most currently visit only briefly before heading to Sajek.
Deputy Commissioner Md Anwar Sadat stated that the Alutila tourism center has been decorated for Eid, and "Hathi Kobor" (Elephant’s Grave) has been reopened for visitors.
Law enforcement is deployed to ensure tourist safety throughout the holidays.