100km walk planned to promote Cox's Bazar tourism

A Bangladeshi outdoor activity camp is organising a 100km walk to promote tourism in Cox's Bazar in the first of what it hopes will become an annual event attracting international participants. Base Camp Bangladesh Managing Director Tamzid Siddiq Spondon said participants will walk 100 kilometres along the world's longest natural beach from Laboni Point, and take part in beach cleaning and in a nature camp. “We want to arrange the event every year,” Tamzid said. “Only local participants will take part this year but we plan to include international tourists in future.” Anyone interested to join will have to register. Tamzid said they would arrange accommodation for about 35 participants, with those who register first receiving priority. Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon lauded the “praiseworthy initiative” and referred to the visit of an international cruise ship to Cox's Bazar last week as part of the government's hopes to promote Cox's Bazar internationally. “It helped our tourism sector a lot (and) I hope 2017 will be a milestone for our tourism. We have organised beach carnivals in the past and are planning to organise more events including a marathon and a surfing competition,” Menon said. Bangladesh Tourism Board CEO Dr Nasir Uddin and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Dr Aparup Chowdhury were also present at the press conference.