The Kuakata sea beach in Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali has been empty of tourists since the beginning of Ramadan, with the stress of fasting and inclement weather keeping people away.
Tourism-related businesses in the area are hoping that the weather will improve, and the number of tourists will pick up from the third week of Ramadan.
On a visit to the beach, all of the benches and umbrellas were found to be empty. The desert-like emptiness and silence, with the exception of the howling wind, gave the scene a surreal atmosphere.
All the beach shops, whether they were selling fuchka, tea, cosmetics, or jute products, were closed. Hotels and motels were also empty.
Humayun, the owner of Gazi Restaurant near Kuakata Zero Point, said: “Our hotel has been closed for most of the month but we still have to pay the salaries of employees, so we have been facing a lot of losses.”
Dhaka TribuneImam Hossain, of Boishakhi Hotel and Restaurant in the same area, said: “Kuakata is empty of people now. There are no tourists, so I am working on redecorating the hotel.”
Kuakata beach photographer Julhas Mia said there are a maximum of 10-15 people on the beach in recent days, so beach photographers have not been able to make much income.
Ruman Imtiaz, president of the Tour Operators Association of Kuakata, said tourism-related businessmen are facing big losses, but they expect the number of tourists will increase from the last week of Ramadan to the day after the Eid holidays.
He added that tourist police have been steadfast in performing their duties, even if there are very few tourists.
Kuakata Tourist Police Zone Police Inspector Hasnain Parvez said: “Tourist arrivals in Kuakata have decreased since the beginning of Ramadan. Still, our tourist police are deployed to prevent any untoward incident in the area.”
