The tourism industry in Cox’s Bazar has been hit hard by the regular spells of blockades, with over 200 hotels and motels in the beach town staying empty during winter – the peak season.
The political programmes have been causing losses to businesses for the past two months, with sources saying that around 250 hotels, motels and guest houses had lost around Tk100 crore till December 20.
More than 6,000 employees have reportedly lost their jobs, as 98% hotels have been almost closed.
Sohel Khondakar, manager of Hotel Media International, said only two or three rooms were booked every day among the 71 rooms being offered.
Saying that they faced losses worth Tk2.5 lakh in November, Sohel said other hotels were also facing losses of crore taka.
Hotel Shaibal’s manager Md Nurul Islam said only Tk8 lakh had been earned last month, compared to expenditures of around Tk15 lakh.
Ocean Paradise, one of the five-star hotels, has been suffering monthly losses of more than Tk1 crore, said Communication Officer Syed Alamgir.
Cox’s Bazar Tour Operator Association President M Kibria said more than 600 staffs have become unemployed in 120 tour operator companies.
Five ships, usually used for carrying tourists from Teknaf to Saint Martin route, also stand idle.
Abul Kashem Sikder, general secretary of Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel and Guest House Owners’ Association, said the losses had reached almost Tk100 crore, while more than 5,000 staffs had lost their jobs.
Government is also losing revenue of Tk5 crore, he said, adding that the association has already sent a letter to tax and revenue department in this regard.
