A large number of tourists have started coming to Cox’s Bazar since Thursday, breathing new life into the beach town.
There were not a lot of tourists during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, but now different beaches and points in the city are teeming with people enjoying themselves and taking photographs.
Leaders of Cox’s Bazar Hotel, Motel and Guesthouse Owners’ Association and those involved in the city’s tourism business said the influx of tourists during the Eid-ul-Azha holiday was not as high as expected. But now the crowd of tourists in Cox’s Bazar was becoming larger, they added.
Mohammad Belal, a security worker at the Laboni Point of the Cox’s Bazar beach, said: “The tourists bathing in the sea are being monitored from the tower to prevent any accidents from occurring. Patrol teams are actively performing their duties.”
Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar (TUAC) President Anwar Kamal said: “Due to the increase in the cost of living many people do not have enough money for travelling. Besides, new tourist spots including the recently inaugurated Padma Bridge have drawn people’s attention.”
Cox’s Bazar Kolatoli Marine Drive Road Hotel Owners’ Association General Secretary Mukhim Khan said: “Despite not having many tourists during Eid, our hotel has been getting a lot of tourists since Thursday. Around 70% of our rooms are booked and more tourists are expected to come.”
Cox’s Bazar Hotel, Motel, Guesthouse Owners’ Association President Abul Kashem Sikder said: “Cox’s Bazar can accommodate 120,000-130,000 tourists every night in more than 500 hotels, motels, guesthouses and cottages. During last Eid-ul-Fitr, more than 1.1 million tourists came to the beach. At that time, business in hotels, motels, restaurants, shops and tourism-related institutions was more than Tk500-600 crore.”
That many tourists did not come during Eid-ul-Azha holidays. However, a lot of tourists came on Wednesday and we expect more to come soon, he added.
Assistant Superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police Mizanuzzaman said: “Maximum security measures have been taken for tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar. Police are on full-time duty at beaches, hotel motel zones and tourist spots. Apart from this, surveillance has been kept through CCTV cameras.”
