Tourism-related businesses in Moulvibazar anticipate a massive influx of tourists during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Accordingly, all necessary preparations have been made, reports Bangla Tribune.
To welcome visitors, all entertainment centers in Sreemangal, known as the tea capital, have been decorated.
This major tourist destination in the country offers around 200 hotels and resorts, nearly all of which are already fully booked in advance.
Tourism stakeholders have reported that almost all residential hotels, motels, and resorts in the district have been booked by tourists.
Comparatively better hotels have no vacant rooms. According to them, bookings for these hotels and resorts were completed by Saturday.
They expect the arrival of hundreds of thousands of tourists in the coming days.
According to the District Residential Hotel-Motel Owners' Association, among the 200-plus hotels and resorts in Moulvibazar, two are five-star, and five are four-star establishments, most of which are located in Sreemangal.
Local sources say the breathtaking sight of rows of lush green tea gardens surrounding Sreemangal captivates tourists.
Additionally, attractions such as Darjeeling Tila, Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), Tea Museum, Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation, Hail Haor, Baikka Beel Fish Sanctuary, Nilkantha Seven-Layer Tea Cabin, Tea Girl Sculpture, Martyred Memorial-71, Lal Pahar, Shankar Tila, Garam Tila, Varaura Lake, War Cemetery, Harinchara Golf Course, and indigenous community villages draw visitors, they added.
Moreover, Kamalganj, adjacent to Sreemangal, boasts stunning locations such as Lawachara National Park, Madhabpur Lake, and Nurjahan Tea Estate. The district, surrounded by haors and tea gardens, is home to 93 tea estates and over a hundred tourist sites.
Radhanagar has the highest number of resorts for tourists in Sreemangal. Kazi Shamsul Haque, joint convener of the Radhanagar Tourism Welfare Council and owner of Nisorgo Nirab Eco Cottage, said: “Resorts were almost empty throughout Ramadan. However, we are optimistic about good business during the extended Eid holidays. Tourists visit year-round, but due to ticket shortages on trains, many struggle to secure a ticket. If a new train is added to the Dhaka-Sylhet route, the number of visitors here will increase further.”
Shahidul Haque, chairman of Balishira Resort, said: “Business will be good during the long Eid holidays. Almost all hotels and resorts are fully booked. We expect the arrival of hundreds of thousands of tourists.”
According to Russell Alam, general secretary of the Sreemangal Tour Operator and Tour Guide Association, tour guides have also received numerous bookings, including from foreign tourists.
He said: “While tourists in other parts of the country sometimes face issues such as muggings or harassment, Sreemangal remains a safe destination. This year, maximum security measures have been implemented for tourists.”
Tour operator and guide Syed Rizvi said: “We mostly guide foreign tourists. There were hardly any visitors during Ramadan, but foreigners started arriving on Eid day.”
Inspector Md Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury of the Tourist Police Sreemangal Zone said: “As this year’s Eid holiday is quite long, we expect a large number of tourists. We have already held meetings with tourism stakeholders. Security has been heightened at all tourist attractions.
"Besides the Tourist Police, officers from Sreemangal and Kamalganj police stations, as well as RAB personnel in plain clothes, will be deployed in various areas. Our aim is to ensure that tourists can explore freely and return home safely.”
Selim Ahmed, acting president of the Sreemangal Tourism Service Association and owner of Grand Selim Resort, said: “Ahead of Eid, all hotels and resorts have undergone cleaning, painting, and decorating. Most have already been booked in advance, with nearly 100% occupancy. We expect the area to remain packed for the next four days, with hundreds of thousands of tourists arriving.”
Palash Chowdhury, public relations officer of the five-star Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf, said: “Our expectations for this Eid are high. All rooms in our hotel are already booked.”
Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police MKH Jahangir Hossain said: “In addition to the Tourist Police, RAB and plainclothes officers will be stationed at various tourist centers in the district. We have taken all necessary security measures to ensure that tourists can move around freely and enjoy their time safely.”
