Millions of tourists flock to Cox’s Bazar each year to enjoy its iconic sea beach, but growing commercial activity, traffic congestion, waste and inadequate facilities are increasingly affecting the visitor experience.
At the Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatali points, rows of temporary shops, street vendors, beach bikes, horses, photographers and other commercial activities have become a familiar sight.
For some visitors, the growing presence of vendors and businesses is taking away from the tranquillity of the beach.
“Within a few minutes of entering the beach, different vendors start approaching us,” said Lovely Akter, who visited Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka with her family.
“We came to enjoy the sea, but we have to listen to business offers repeatedly,” she said.
Tourist couple Sohel Mazhar and Shiuli, who travelled from Rajshahi, also complained about the quality and cost of services.
Millions of tourists come to Cox’s Bazar to enjoy the sea beach, but services have not improved at the same pace, they said. Commercial activities are everywhere, and prices often seem excessive. The authorities need to pay greater attention to this.
During peak tourism seasons, traffic congestion is a regular problem in Kalatali, Sugandha and Jhautala. Unplanned parking, footpath encroachment and increasing traffic volumes make movement difficult for tourists and local residents alike.
Tourism stakeholders say the growth in visitor numbers has not been matched by adequate improvements in infrastructure and urban management.
Environmentalists are also concerned about the impact of unregulated activities and increasing tourist pressure on the beach ecosystem.
Dipak Sharma Dipu, president of the Cox’s Bazar Forest and Environment Journalists’ Council, said the sea, sandy beach and natural environment are the destination’s most important assets.
“Unplanned commercial activities, noise pollution, plastic waste and other uncontrolled activities are gradually damaging the beach environment,” he said.
Plastic bottles, food wrappers and other waste are frequently found on different parts of the beach, he said, adding that such waste not only affects the area’s beauty but could also pose a threat to marine biodiversity.
Local businesses say tourism-related commercial activities are also an important source of livelihood for thousands of people.
Mohammad Abdullah, manager of Beach Bangla Tourism in Cox’s Bazar, said vendors, small traders, photographers, transport workers and hotel and restaurant employees all depend on the tourism economy.
“Thousands of people depend on tourism for their livelihoods,” he said. “The solution is not to stop business activities, but to ensure that they are properly regulated and managed.”
Tourism stakeholders say designated commercial zones, improved waste management, better parking facilities and long-term traffic management could help balance commercial interests with the needs of tourists and the environment.
Moukhim Khan, general secretary of the Kalatali-Marine Drive Road Hotel-Motel Owners’ Association, said Cox’s Bazar needs better facilities and international-standard events to attract tourists throughout the year.
“Regular government-organised fairs and other events could help attract tourists year-round,” he said. “At the same time, the quality of tourist services must be improved.”
Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, president of Cox’s Bazar Civil Society, said environmental protection must remain a priority alongside tourism development.
“The natural beauty of Cox’s Bazar is important not only for tourists but also for the national economy,” he said. “If the openness, aesthetic appeal and natural environment of the beach are not protected, it could eventually affect tourists’ interest in the destination.”
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan said the government has taken initiatives to promote sustainable tourism and improve tourist safety, cleanliness and modern facilities.
“A master plan is being prepared to develop sustainable tourism and attract foreign tourists,” he said.
He said initiatives were also being taken to restore order on the beach, ensure cleanliness, remove illegal encroachments and improve tourist safety.
Meanwhile, a three-day tourism fair has been organized in Cox’s Bazar to mark World Tourism Day, which promotes sustainable, environmentally friendly and people-centred tourism.
For Cox’s Bazar, the message is particularly relevant. The city’s tourism economy depends fundamentally on the natural beauty of its coastline. Managing commercial activity, protecting the environment and improving public services will therefore remain central to the destination’s long-term tourism prospects.
As the number of visitors continues to grow, the challenge for Cox’s Bazar is to ensure that tourism development does not come at the expense of the very natural environment that attracts tourists in the first place.