The doors to Bandarban are reopening for tourists -- after a month-long restriction, the travel ban for tourists is being lifted.
Starting on Thursday, tourists can visit four upazilas in Bandarban. However, Ruma, Rowangchhari, and Thanchi remain under restrictions and will gradually open to tourists.
Deputy Commissioner Shah Mujahid Uddin announced the matter on Wednesday during a meeting with tourism-related business owners and journalists at the district commissioner’s conference room.
According to the Bandarban Hotel-Motel Owners' Association, there are 97 hotels, motels, resorts, and cottages in Bandarban, including 74 in Bandarban town alone.
Due to the month-long restriction, most staff at resorts and cottages had to leave Bandarban as tourism centres remained deserted.
Decisions regarding Rowangchhari, Ruma, and Thanchi will be made after further assessments.
On October 8, considering the security situation, authorities discouraged travel to the three hill districts of Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari. Following this advisory, all tourist spots in Bandarban were closed, and hotel and motel bookings were cancelled.
As a result, tourism businesses have been incurring losses, prompting business owners to call for the swift lifting of restrictions on tourist access to these areas.
